Cubs' Matt Shaw leaves team to attend Charlie Kirk memorial service: reports

President Donald Trump said people who praised the killing of a father with two beautiful children are "major losers."

Chicago Cubs infielder Matt Shaw was away from the team on Sunday as they took on the Cincinnati Reds to attend Charlie Kirk’s memorial service in Arizona, according to multiple reports.

The Cubs didn’t confirm that Shaw was away at Kirk’s service, but the Chicago Sun-Times reported that manager Craig Counsell mentioned to the media that Shaw was at a funeral for a friend.

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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 on Sept. 19, 2025.  (Katie Stratman/Imagn Images)

"Matt Shaw was unavailable today," Counsell said. "He attended the funeral of a friend."

The 23-year-old knew the conservative influencer personally. Kirk posted a photo of himself at Wrigley Field alongside Shaw and Michael Busch last month. Shaw was scratched from the lineup on Sept. 10 – the day Kirk was assassinated on the campus of Utah Valley University – for personal reasons. He later entered the game as a pinch hitter, according to The Athletic.

More than 90,000 attended Kirk's memorial service at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

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Chicago Cubs third baseman Matt Shaw (6) is interviewed after a game against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on July 26, 2025. (Patrick Gorski/Imagn Images)

The Cubs were among the teams in MLB to pay tribute to Kirk. The team called for an end to "all political violence."

"May all of us as Americans come together in solidarity to