Mets broadcasters criticize Cubs' Matt Shaw for leaving team to attend Charlie Kirk memorial

Mets broadcasters criticized Chicago Cubs third baseman Matt Shaw for leaving the Cubs to attend what the team described as the memorial service for Charlie Kirk. The remarks came during SNY's telecast of the Mets’ game against the Cubs on Tuesday night, with Gary Cohen noting Shaw was at bat in the fourth inning and describing the decision as 'weird.' Fellow Mets broadcaster Todd Zeile called Shaw's absence 'unprecedented' and said it was unusual that the situation wasn’t disclosed until after the fact, when Shaw was expected to be available in the dugout.

Shaw missed Sunday’s Cubs 1-0 loss to the Cincinnati Reds to attend the memorial service in Glendale. Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Shaw wasn’t available for the game because he was at a funeral for a friend. The Cubs later indicated the decision followed consultations with Counsell and some teammates and that Shaw’s attendance was the result of a personal obligation.

Shaw explained why he chose to attend, describing the connection to Charlie Kirk through his faith. "My connection with Charlie was through our [Christian] faith," Shaw said before the Cubs opened a series with the New York Mets on Tuesday, per the Chicago Sun-Times. "And that’s something that drives me every day, the reason why I’m able to do what I do every day, and that’s something I’m extremely thankful for. I know without my faith and without the many blessings I’ve been given in my life, that I wouldn’t be here, be able to talk to you guys, able to help this team eventually go and win championships. That’s something I feel really, really blessed about, so whatever backlash comes is OK. I feel strong about my faith and that what was meant to be happened." He added that he and Kirk had become friends last offseason after living in the same Arizona apartment complex and stayed in contact throughout the season.

Shaw said he was emotional when he learned Kirk had been assassinated while speaking at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10. "When that happened, a lot of emotions came over me. I didn’t foresee that happening. I don’t know how to describe everything that happened, how I was feeling, but I will say I was tearing up pretty good. I had a lot of [teammates] supporting me, and that will be something I’ll remember for my entire life." Erika Kirk, Charlie’s widow, asked Shaw to attend the memorial, and after a conversation with Counsell and several teammates, Shaw said the decision was accepted. "The reason Charlie and I connected so close was because of our faith... that’s something that drives me every single day. So, if people are wondering who I am and what I stand for, I’d say that my faith and the many blessings I’ve been given are why I’m able to be here, and I just want to make sure that I can give that back to people, that I can support people around me, that I can love people around me the same way that I’ve been blessed."

The Cubs’ response to Kirk’s death and Shaw’s attendance included paying tribute to Kirk and calling for an end to political violence. The club’s stance came as Mets and Cubs prepared to begin a new series Tuesday, with fans and players reflecting on the broader implications of personal commitments and public expectations during a demanding season. Social media reaction to Cohen and Zeile’s remarks added another layer to the conversation around a player’s choice to miss a game for a personal reason, even as teammates and team officials underscored respect for Shaw’s decisions and faith.

Kirk, a longtime Cubs supporter and a figure tied to the franchise’s community, had been a frequent presence among Cubs fans. Kirk’s life and connection to Shaw drew renewed attention to the Cubs’ broader message against violence and the role of faith in athletes’ decision-making. The unfolding story has prompted discussions about balancing team obligations with personal and spiritual commitments during a high-stakes season.

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As the Cubs navigate the fallout from Shaw’s decision, the organization has reiterated its respect for players’ personal beliefs while acknowledging the importance of the team’s schedule and competitive goals. The broader impact of the incident on team dynamics, public perception, and policy around attendance at personal events during the season remains a developing topic for fans and analysts alike.