Cubs’ Matt Shaw Attends Charlie Kirk’s Memorial Service Amidst Playoff Season
In a touching display of personal loyalty and friendship, Chicago Cubs infielder Matt Shaw stepped away from his team’s Sunday game against the Cincinnati Reds to attend the memorial service for conservative influencer Charlie Kirk in Arizona. While Cubs manager Craig Counsell didn’t specifically mention Kirk by name, he simply informed the media that “Matt Shaw was unavailable today. He attended the funeral of a friend.”
The connection between the 23-year-old baseball player and Kirk became public last month when Kirk shared a photo of himself at Wrigley Field alongside Shaw and teammate Michael Busch. This friendship took on a more somber tone when Shaw was scratched from the lineup on September 10 – the same day Kirk was assassinated on the campus of Utah Valley University. Though initially removed from the starting lineup for what was described as “personal reasons,” Shaw later entered that game as a pinch hitter, suggesting his determination to fulfill his professional obligations despite receiving devastating personal news.
Kirk’s memorial service drew an impressive crowd of over 90,000 mourners at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, demonstrating the significant impact he had on many Americans. The Cubs organization, like several MLB teams, chose to honor Kirk’s memory and condemn political violence in a public statement that resonated throughout Wrigley Field during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays. Their message called for Americans to “come together in solidarity to strengthen our nation, end these senseless acts and turn to civil discourse to discuss our differences” – a plea that transcends political divisions in favor of national unity during difficult times.
In accordance with MLB’s directive following President Trump’s proclamation, the Cubs flew their flag at half-staff at Wrigley Field. This gesture of respect was echoed by other teams across the league, including the New York Yankees, who also paid tribute to Kirk at Yankee Stadium. These public expressions of mourning highlight how the impact of Kirk’s death extended beyond political circles into America’s cultural institutions, including its national pastime.
The timing of these events adds an additional layer of poignancy, as they unfold during the critical final stretch of the baseball season. Despite Shaw’s absence, the Cubs have already secured their playoff berth, though they suffered a narrow 1-0 loss to Cincinnati on Sunday. This balance between professional responsibility and personal grief illustrates the human elements that exist alongside the competitive nature of professional sports.
Shaw’s decision to attend his friend’s memorial service during such a crucial point in the baseball season speaks to the bonds that transcend professional obligations. While public figures often maintain separate personal and professional lives, moments like these remind us that athletes, like all people, experience the full spectrum of human emotions and relationships that sometimes require prioritizing personal matters over professional ones, even at the highest levels of competition.
