Why Shaw Chose the Memorial Over the Game
When a 23‑year‑old rookie decides to leave the clubhouse for a funeral, the reaction is rarely muted. Matt Shaw told reporters that his bond with the late Charlie Kirk went beyond a simple fan‑player relationship. The two met while Shaw was rooming in an Arizona apartment complex, and the activist quickly became a mentor on both baseball and spirituality. Kirk, a co‑founder of Turning Point USA, was an avid Cubs supporter who used to text Shaw after every game, cheering the young infielder on.
Shaw’s ties to Kirk deepened when they discovered shared religious views. After Kirk was tragically shot at Utah Valley University on September 10, his widow Erika personally invited Shaw to the memorial at Arizona’s State Farm Stadium. "It felt like a call from my faith," Shaw said, emphasizing that attending wasn’t a casual gesture but a moral imperative anchored in his beliefs.
Critics, however, pointed to the timing. The Cubs were locked in a wild‑card battle, and missing the series finale against the Reds seemed, to some, an unnecessary risk. Yet for Shaw, the decision was clear: honor a friend and uphold a spiritual promise, even if it meant stepping away from the diamond during a crunch moment.
The Fallout and On‑field Response
New York Mets broadcasters Gary Cohen and Todd Zeile wasted no time labeling the move “weird” and “unprecedented.” Their frustration stemmed not just from the timing but also from the initial lack of clarity about Shaw’s whereabouts, which left fans and teammates guessing. The murmurs grew louder when Shaw was visibly absent from the dugout, prompting speculation about a possible team discipline issue.
Instead of issuing a press conference, Shaw let his bat do the talking. In the next game, a clash with the Mets, he went 3‑for‑4, slammed a solo home run, and crossed the plate three times in a 10‑3 victory. The performance nudged the Mets’ one‑game lead in the National League wild‑card race into a precarious position, with only four games left on the schedule.
After the win, Shaw declined interview requests, allowing the numbers to speak for themselves. Teammates praised his focus, noting that the rookie seemed more determined than ever to prove his commitment to the club while staying true to his personal convictions. The episode has sparked a broader conversation about how professional athletes balance public expectations, personal faith, and the relentless grind of a playoff chase.