Chicago Cubs fans now know why their team was without rookie infielder Matt Shaw on Sunday.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell told reporters after a 1-0 loss to the Reds that Shaw was “unavailable” for the series finale because he was “attending the funeral of a friend.”
According to reports from The Athletic, that funeral was Charlie Kirk’s memorial service in Arizona. Kirk was assassinated less than two weeks ago during an event on the campus of Utah Valley University.
His service at State Farm Stadium in Glendale was attended by more than 90,000 people, including President Donald Trump, his entire cabinet. First Lady Melania Trump and a slew of other notables such as Elon Musk.
Shaw, a regular for the Cubs batting .223 with 12 home runs and 42 RBI, was among the crowd.
It’s unclear how close Shaw and Kirk were, but Shaw was in an on-field photo with Kirk, a Cubs fan, after a Chicago win in August.
Shaw was scratched from the lineup on Sept. 10, the day Kirk was killed, with the team citing “personal reasons.” He later entered the game to pinch-hit.
Counsell said he expects the 23-year-old to be back on Tuesday as the Cubs begin a three-game series with the New York Mets.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.