Chicago Cubs rookie Matt Shaw missed the game against Cincinnati Reds to attend memorial for Charlie Kirk in Arizona

Matt Shaw, the 23-year-old rookie third baseman for the Chicago Cubs, missed the team's lineup in their 1-0 defeat against the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday, September 21, 2025, at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.

Reports indicate that Shaw went to Arizona to be at the memorial service for Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist who was tragically killed earlier that month. After the game, Cubs manager Craig Counsell spoke to reporters about Shaw's absence, explaining that he was away to attend a friend's funeral.

Charlie Kirk memorial draws over 90,000 attendees at State Farm Stadium

The memorial service for Charlie Kirk took place on Sunday, September 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, which is the home of the NFL's Arizona Cardinals.

Turning Point USA shared the news about the event the week before, highlighting that it would celebrate Kirk's life and legacy. Over 90,000 attendees were present at the service, which included speeches from Kirk's wife, Erika Kirk, Vice President JD Vance, and President Donald Trump.

In his tribute, President Donald J. Trump referred to Kirk as "a giant of his generation." Erika Kirk offered forgiveness to her husband's killer, while Trump remarked on their contrasting perspectives, stating, "I hate my opponent.".

The event was captured in photos and videos, with some shared by Shaw's wife, Danielle, on Instagram, displaying notable personalities on stage and Turning Point USA banners. The service saw tens of thousands in attendance, underscoring Kirk's significance in conservative communities.

Matt Shaw and Charlie Kirk has met each other at Wrigley Field stadium

The details of Shaw's personal connection with Kirk are a bit fuzzy, but they had crossed paths before. On August 20, 2025, Kirk was at a Cubs game at Wrigley Field and took an on-field picture with Shaw and Cubs first baseman Michael Busch after the team won 4-3 against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Kirk posted a pic on his X account, featuring Shaw giving a thumbs-up. Being a lifelong Cubs fan from the suburbs of Chicago, Kirk had made a trip to Wrigley Field that summer. An image surfaced online of Shaw at the memorial service in Glendale, where you could see the Arizona Cardinals logo and Turning Point USA signs in the background. Shaw, who graduated from the University of Maryland, was one of the attendees paying tribute to Kirk.

Chicago Cubs lose fourth straight game after securing playoff spot

The Cubs lost to the Reds, making it their fourth straight defeat, which is the longest losing streak they've had this season after clinching a playoff spot. Even without Shaw, the team stayed focused on getting home-field advantage for the wild-card round, maintaining an eight-game lead in the National League Wild Card standings.Shaw, who has a batting average of .223 with 12 home runs and 42 RBIs in his rookie year, has been a reliable player, participating in every game since August 22 until now.After the game, Counsell informed reporters that he looks forward to Matt Shaw returning to the team on Tuesday, September 23, for a three-game series against the New York Mets at Wrigley Field. Chicago baseball reporter Bruce Levine tweeted on X, "The Chicago Cubs have excused 3B Matt Shaw today so he can attend the funeral of his friend Charlie Kirk."Also Read: Amon-Ra St. Brown’s slow start has fans wondering if the Baltimore Ravens have finally found a way to contain himMatt Shaw being at Charlie Kirk’s memorial really highlights what he values outside of baseball and emphasizes the personal beliefs that motivate him beyond the game.