Chicago Cubs fans may have noticed that rookie third baseman Matt Shaw was missing from Sunday’s lineup in Cincinnati.
The Cubs went on to lose 1-0 to the Reds, but it was Shaw’s absence — and the reason behind it — that quickly became the bigger talking point.
Reports Link Absence to Charlie Kirk’s Memorial
According to The Athletic, Shaw wasn’t just sidelined for personal reasons.
The outlet reported, citing a league source, that the 23-year-old traveled to Arizona to attend the memorial service for conservative podcaster Charlie Kirk, who was killed earlier this month while delivering a speech in Utah.
The Cubs have not yet confirmed those details. When asked after the game, manager Craig Counsell told reporters only that Shaw was attending the funeral of “a friend.”
Previous Time Away From the Team
This isn’t the first time Shaw has been unavailable in September.
Earlier this month, on September 10, the Cubs also listed him out for “personal reasons.”
Coincidentally, that same day, Kirk was shot and killed during an event in Orem, Utah.
Shaw, who hails from Western Massachusetts, has been one of Chicago’s most talked-about young players, but his time away from the field has raised questions — especially with the team fighting for late-season results.
Shaw’s Connection to Kirk
Shaw and Kirk’s connection was made public just weeks before the tragedy.
Kirk shared a photo on social media from Wrigley Field, posing with Shaw and Cubs teammate Michael Busch.
While the post appeared celebratory, it didn’t sit well with some baseball fans, who criticized the association at the time.
One fan wrote, “Dislike the Cubs even more!” while another added, “Hopefully most Cubs fans have the decency to flip you off.”
What Comes Next
Neither Shaw nor the Cubs organization have spoken directly about the reported link to Kirk’s memorial.
For now, Counsell has kept his comments simple, saying Shaw was at a funeral.
With tensions high both on and off the field, how the team addresses Shaw’s absences — and how fans respond — will likely continue to spark conversation.