The Chicago Cubs rookie chose to let his performance speak for itself on Wednesday after facing scrutiny from the New York Mets broadcaster regarding his attendance at a memorial for Charlie Kirk. Shaw went 3-4, hitting a solo home run and scoring three times in a 10-3 defeat to New York in Chicago. His performance, while impressive, put the Mets in a tight spot in the National League wildcard standings, now just one game ahead of the Cincinnati Reds for the last playoff position with only four regular season games remaining.
Interestingly, it seems Shaw didn’t address the media after the game. The matchup, broadcasted on ESPN, featured commentary from Gary Cohen and Todd Zeile, who were quite vocal about Shaw’s absence. Cohen remarked on the oddity of leaving the team during a critical stretch for anything other than a family emergency, calling the situation “strange.” He expressed concern not wanting to delve into the politics of it, but found the decision unusual.
Zeile echoed Cohen’s sentiment, labeling Shaw’s absence as “unprecedented.” He noted that, in his experience as a player, such an absence during a crucial time was remarkably rare, indicating a sense of disbelief that it hadn’t been publicly disclosed until after it occurred.
On another note, Shaw’s relationship with Kirk is noteworthy; the late Kirk, a well-known conservative figure, was a Cubs fan and had a personal bond with Shaw through their shared Christian faith. Reflecting on his choice to attend the memorial, Shaw stated, “My connection with Charlie was through us. [Christian] Faith… that’s why I’m grateful.” He mentioned feeling blessed to be in a position to play and support his team while recognizing that, although he faced backlash, his faith remains a guiding force in his life.
The Cubs have clinched a spot in the postseason, boosting their record to 89-69, despite the loss on Wednesday.
