Cubs’ Matt Shaw defends missing team’s defeat to attend Charlie Kirk’s memorial

<ul><li><p>Infielder was invited by Kirk’s widow, Erika</p></li><li><p>Pair had lived in same apartment complex</p></li><li><p>Cubs aiming to secure top wildcard slot in NL</p></li></ul><p>Chicago Cubs third baseman Matt Shaw said he has no regrets after missing a game with playoff implications to attend a memorial for Charlie Kirk.</p><p>Shaw missed the Cubs’ game at the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday to go to the memorial for the rightwing activist, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/22/charlie-kirk-memorial-democrats-republicans">which took place in Arizona</a>. The Cubs lost the game 1-0. They are aiming to secure <a href="https://www.mlb.com/standings/wild-card">the top wildcard slot in the National League</a>, which would give them home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Shaw’s absence was also a boost for the Reds, who are in a battle with the New York Mets and Arizona Diamondbacks for the final wildcard spot in the NL.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/sep/23/cubs-matt-shaw-charlie-kirk-funeral">Continue reading...</a>