CHICAGO – Matt Shaw was back in a familiar place this weekend.
But instead of speaking to a dozen or so media members in front of his locker at Wrigley Field, the Chicago Cubs third baseman wore a sport coat and addressed hundreds of people at an annual Turning Point USA event in Phoenix.
Shaw’s media session in late September marked his first real opportunity to explain why he had left the Cubs earlier to attend a memorial service for Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed at a Utah college event that month. Shaw offered his answers, repeatedly referring to their shared faith, and the story soon faded. There was no booing of Shaw at Wrigley, despite some backlash on social media.
Fast forward three months. Shaw’s speech Friday at the Turning Point gathering gave him a national stage to spread his message of faith alongside prominent conservative speakers who make a living delivering political messages. A video introducing Shaw even included a snippet of that locker room interview from September.
Whether his political views align with those of Steve Bannon, Tucker Carlson or other MAGA speakers, Shaw became associated with the movement by agreeing to speak. Political messaging is the purpose of Turning Point. Current leader Erika Kirk, the widow of Charlie Kirk, announced Thursday that “we are going to get my husband’s friend JD Vance elected (president in 2028) in the most resounding way possible.”
The Turning Point X account posted three videos of Shaw discussing his faith, elevating his profile alongside other speakers.
Speaking with Shaw during spring training in March in Mesa, Ariz., it would have been difficult to imagine him becoming a spokesman for a political movement. But that is where things stood at the end of 2025, and where they head in 2026 remains unclear.
As much as some may disagree with the Kirk movement and its leadership, Shaw had the right to speak. He did not need his employer’s permission or the approval of Cubs fans. It is a free country.
But Shaw should recognize that the decision will make him a polarizing figure at a time when he is still establishing himself as a major league player. He was a strong defensive third baseman but hit .226 as a rookie and went 2-for-17 in the postseason. His development is critical if the Cubs are to take another step forward in 2026.
Choosing to participate in a political movement that many Americans oppose, including a significant share of the Cubs’ fan base, ensures Shaw will remain under scrutiny in 2026, beginning next month at the Cubs Convention.
Shaw said in September that he understood there would be backlash to attending the Kirk memorial and that he had “turmoil about what I should do” before speaking with a handful of teammates. They encouraged him to go, as did manager Craig Counsell.
“Whatever backlash comes is OK,” Shaw said afterward, adding that he did not read what was written about him on social media.
Turning Point posted one video of a child asking Shaw how he shares his faith with teammates and another of an adult wearing a Shaw Cubs jersey who called him “courageous” for supporting Kirk and the movement “when so many people in media or sports think differently and don’t understand your point of view.”
“Great question,” Shaw replied. “Thank you for sharing.”
Shaw acknowledged to the fan that he received “a lot of backlash” for his relationship with Kirk.
“No matter how much hate, no matter how much people may disagree or argue with me, or go on TV and say, ‘He’s the worst,’ it doesn’t change who I am and what I believe in,” he said.
Shaw appears to understand that while he is alienating some fans, he is also strengthening support among admirers. Responses to the Turning Point posts included fans calling for the Cubs to sign third baseman Alex Bregman to replace him. Shaw was aware of the potential consequences.
Considered media-friendly by Cubs writers, Shaw said at the event that some media members “can kind of manipulate what we say.” If he believes his words were misrepresented, the appropriate response would be to seek a correction.
When asked in September what he would say to fans disappointed by his relationship with Kirk, Shaw said: “I don’t think it’s just fans; I think it’s people in general that I’m going to continue to try to support in any way I can. Disappointment is something natural for people you disagree with, and that’s OK. I think any way that I can support them and love them, I’m going to do that.”
The Cubs supported Shaw’s decision to attend the memorial. He could not have left the team without management approval. When asked afterward whether it was a difficult call, team president Jed Hoyer said it was not.
“Obviously (Shaw and Kirk) had a relationship, and I don’t think I’ve ever said no to a player who felt like it was important to them to grieve or to be somewhere,” Hoyer said. “That’s a moment where you have to trust your players and understand they’re humans and that’s something he wanted, and we weren’t going to stand in the way of it.”
Shaw likely retains support from teammates and others within the organization. But the Cubs are a large organization, and many employees disagree with his decision to align himself more closely with the Kirk movement. Attending a memorial is one thing. Speaking at a Turning Point event represents a larger step.
Politics and baseball rarely intersect, but Shaw is not the first Cubs player to publicly express conservative views. After Donald Trump’s election in 2016, pitcher Jake Arrieta tweeted: “Time for Hollywood to pony up and head for the border #illhelpyoupack #beatit.”
Then-Cubs president Theo Epstein addressed the comment the next day.
“I believe in the First Amendment,” Epstein said. “But I also believe we should be mindful of how other people feel.”
Epstein, a progressive Democrat who supported Hillary Clinton, acknowledged Arrieta’s right to speak, just as Hoyer has recognized Shaw’s.
Whenever asked about a political career after baseball, Epstein laughed.
“I’m not sure why anyone would inflict that on themselves or their family,” he once said. “Policies are interesting to me. Politics, not so much. There are ways to impact the world around us without necessarily diving into those political waters, and maybe someday I’ll be lucky enough to do that in some form or another.”
Perhaps Shaw has a political future ahead. He appeared comfortable at the Turning Point gathering and projected confidence.
For now, though, his focus remains on baseball – a place where actions ultimately speak louder than words.