Matt Shaw Misses Game for Charlie Kirk Memorial

Chicago Cubs rookie third baseman Matt Shaw missed Sunday’s 1-0 loss in Cincinnati to attend a memorial for conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Glendale after receiving a personal invitation from Kirk’s widow, Erika. Shaw said he and Kirk became friends while living in the same Arizona apartment complex, bonded over their Christian faith, and that attending the service was “really important” to him. He told reporters he consulted manager Craig Counsell, team president Jed Hoyer and several veteran teammates and received permission from the club before traveling. The absence came during a critical stretch as the Cubs pursue a top National League wild-card; the team lost the game and Reds manager Terry Francona said he was unaware of Shaw’s reason for missing the contest. Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot on Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University and was honored at a large memorial in Glendale.