Cubs Rookie Matt Shaw’s Controversial Absence

Gary Cohen found himself in a tricky situation discussing Cubs rookie Matt Shaw’s recent absence. Shaw had received clearance from the Cubs to skip Sunday’s game to attend a memorial for Charlie Kirk, a murdered conservative activist. However, Cohen expressed discomfort with Shaw leaving the team during such a critical time in the playoff race.

With the Cubs clinching a playoff spot last week, they currently hold the first wild card position in the National League, adding to the pressure of such absences.

During the Mets and Cubs game broadcast at Wrigley Field, Cohen approached the topic cautiously. “I don’t want to delve into the politics of it, but leaving your team during a crucial race for reasons other than a family emergency feels… well, strange,” he remarked.

Mets analyst and former player Todd Zeile also weighed in, highlighting that its timing was unusual, especially since Shaw didn’t clarify the situation until it became a point of contention. Zeile noted he found this behavior quite rare during his career from 1989 to 2004.

Shaw had decided to attend the service at the invitation of Kirk’s widow, Erika. He mentioned that he consulted with manager Craig Counsell, President Jed Hoyer, and several veterans on the team before making his decision. “I wanted to ensure everyone was on board, that they understood why I was leaving, as it was significant for my faith,” Shaw told the Chicago Tribune. “It was encouraging to see the team’s support during that time.”

He added, “It felt really impactful for me… I was thankful for the team’s response, so I went ahead with it.”