The saga around Charlie Kirk’s memorial service just got an MLB connection, and it comes from the Cubs’ end. Reportedly, Cubs rookie infielder Matt Shaw wasn’t in the lineup on Sunday. And since the Cubs had already locked up a playoff spot earlier in the week, they had the flexibility to give players a break. But Shaw’s absence wasn’t just for rest; he was excused so he could attend a friend’s funeral.

It was Charlie Kirk. As the connection between Shaw and Kirk comes through the personal loss, leading to Shaw stepping away from the field for the day, comes the next question. How is Shaw related to Kirk?

Matt Shaw’s connection with Charlie Kirk

Charlie Kirk was the founder of the conservative group Turning Point USA. He tragically passed away on September 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University. Originally from Chicago, Kirk had even stopped by Wrigley Field, cheering the Cubs earlier this summer. So while Kirk’s Cubs fandom was proven, this time, Matt Shaw from the Cubs’ clubhouse is proving his connection with the fallen influencer.

Shaw knew Kirk personally, and the two were even photographed together at a Cubs game last month. In fact, on the day of Kirk’s death, Shaw was pulled from the lineup for what was described as a personal matter. According to reports, he later traveled to Arizona for the event, though they only shared details on the condition of anonymity. Even though there’s nothing much available about the connection between Kirk and Shaw, it’s clear that Shaw lost a special friend in Kirk.

Shaw is expected to return to the club on Tuesday, on the eve of the Mets-Cubs series.

The Cubs are betting on their 3B this time

Matt Shaw is batting .223 with 12 HRs and 42 RBIs this season. Hence, he is shaping up to be one of the Cubs’ key players heading into the postseason. His absence for Kirk’s funeral broke his streak of nine straight starts on Sunday, but he’s expected to be back in the lineup Tuesday. And honestly, the 23-year-old rookie has become pretty important for this team. It becomes more eye-catching with Pete Crow-Armstrong struggling at the plate and Kyle Tucker at Tampa for treatment!

Since the All-Star break, Shaw has really turned things around, hitting .270 with nine HRs and 24 RBIs over 48 games. Now, that’s exactly the kind of offensive boost the Cubs needed to stay steady in the standings.

And from the team’s perspective, the Cubs are coming off three straight losses to the Reds, who are pushing hard in the wild card race. However, Chicago still has control of its own path to home-field advantage in the opening round of the playoffs. That makes the upcoming series against the Mets huge, and a lot of it could come down to how well Matt Shaw performs.