Some topics are incredibly sensitive and should not be meddled with. But people have made a bad habit of doing what they are not supposed to and facing heat for it. The recent topic people are staying away from is the demise of Charlie Kirk, but it took Mets broadcaster Gary Cohen seconds to cause problems with fans. He criticized Matt Shaw for missing a Cubs game, and one of the people who came to defend Shaw was a World Series winner with the Mets.

During the recent Cubs game, Cohen talked about how Matt Shaw was absent for the Reds game as the Cubs lost 1-0 and called his absence weird. This comment angered people because Shaw didn’t take a vacation, but was attending Charlie Kirk’s memorial. Lenny Dykstra, after hearing this, posted saying, “Can’t honestly say I would have done the same thing, but I am absolutely sure I would have respected the decision had I been a teammate. You don’t get to judge personal decisions as a play-by-play guy, shut up about that and call the game.”

Chicago Cubs rookie third baseman Matt Shaw was absent from Sunday’s 1-0 loss against the Reds, traveling instead to Glendale, Arizona, to attend Charlie Kirk’s funeral. Shaw was personally invited by Kirk’s widow, Erika, making his absence anything but unannounced or casual. The 23-year-old explained the connection plainly, saying, “I felt as though it was something that was really important for me to do.” For Shaw, the decision carried weight far beyond baseball, rooted in faith and loyalty.

Their friendship wasn’t a fleeting acquaintance but one forged in Arizona, where Shaw and Kirk lived in the same apartment complex. Kirk quickly became one of the biggest Cubs supporters Shaw had ever met, constantly texting encouragement after games. Shaw recalled warmly, “He texted me after every game, you know, ‘Great win for the Cubbies.’” That bond, layered with shared Christian faith, gave Shaw reason to honor Kirk’s memory when tragedy struck earlier this month.

Still, leaving the team in September wasn’t without backlash, especially with the Cubs battling for playoff seeding. Mets broadcaster Gary Cohen called the absence “weird,” while Shaw addressed criticism directly, insisting, “Whatever backlash comes is OK, you know, I feel strong about my faith.” He added that having his teammates’ support “was really important” as he chose to grieve as a friend first. For Matt Shaw, faith and friendship guided a choice that transcended baseball, reminding fans that players live beyond the diamond.

Gary Cohen might think Shaw’s absence was “weird,” but grief doesn’t punch a time clock. Lenny Dykstra, of all people, ended up delivering the sanest take: respect the choice and move on. With off-field drama surrounding the Cubs, the fans will be pleased to hear an update on a player’s injury recovery status.

Matt Shaw is back, and Kyle Tucker is very close to returning

Baseball has a way of testing patience, and lately, fans have been counting more injuries than hits. Matt Shaw’s brief absence sparked more headlines than his batting average, while Kyle Tucker’s recovery has felt like a Netflix series stuck on buffering. Now, both names are circling back at the perfect time, giving Chicago fans something better than excuses: reinforcements.

The Chicago Cubs’ stumble of five losses in six games gained a jolt of hope this week. Jon Morosi reported, “They expect to have Kyle Tucker back for this weekend,” calling it “significant news” for October. Tucker’s absence left their offense sputtering, but now the Cubs are chasing a Wild Card series at home. Fans can almost feel the buzz returning as 89–69 suddenly feels sturdier with him anchoring the lineup.

Morosi added Tucker “was able to get some physical therapy… to make sure he can run.” That detail matters because Friday’s opener against the rival St. Louis Cardinals is more than a routine finale. This is about shaking off the rust, finding rhythm, and letting the heart of their lineup breathe again. If Tucker delivers, fans won’t just watch the Cubs play; they’ll believe the postseason already started.

So here it is: Matt Shaw back in uniform, Kyle Tucker charging toward Friday, and the Cubs rediscovering their timing. October won’t wait for anyone, and neither will Chicago’s lineup when these reinforcements finally click. If the Cardinals thought they were facing a tired team, they might want a rain delay.