A rookie MLB infielder skipped his team’s game on Sunday to attend a friend’s funeral on Sunday afternoon.
The Chicago Cubs, who clinched a playoff spot earlier this week, lost to the Cincinnati Reds, 1-0, on Sunday. Chicago, 88-68 on the year, is currently in second place in the NL Central. The Cubs are seven games back of Milwaukee in the NL Central race, with a week of games to go. Chicago is currently three games up on San Diego for the No. 1 Wild Card in the National League.
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Matt Shaw, a rookie infielder out of Maryland, was not in the lineup on Sunday. Cubs manager Craig Counsell told reporters that he had an excuse for being absent.
Sep 19, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Matt Shaw (6) high fives teammates after hitting a two-run home run in the fourth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images© Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
Counsell, who previously managed the Milwaukee Brewers, informed reporters on Sunday evening, September 21, that Shaw missed Sunday’s game in order to attend a friend’s funeral service.
“Craig Counsell said Matt Shaw was attending the funeral of a friend today. He’s expected to be back by Tuesday,” Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reported on Sunday.
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Shaw was previously photographed with Charlie Kirk
It’s unclear what funeral Shaw is attending on Sunday. However, he was photographed with Charlie Kirk, the right-wing influencer, who was shot and killed in Utah last week. Kirk, 31, was shot in the neck at a college speaking event in Utah on Sept. 10, before being pronounced dead at the hospital.
Kirk’s memorial service was held at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday afternoon. Close to 100,000 people were in attendance. It’s unclear if Shaw was attending Kirk’s service on Sunday, or a different funeral.
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Shaw, who is hitting .223 with 12 home runs and 42 RBI on the season, is expected to return to the Cubs lineup on Tuesday.
The Cubs and the Mets are set to begin their series on Tuesday, Sept. 23.
This story was originally reported by The Spun on Sep 21, 2025, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.