Cubs’ Matt Shaw has epic game after Mets announcers criticize him for attending Charlie Kirk memorial

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Chicago Cubs rookie Matt Shaw let his bat do the talking on Wednesday after he faced criticism from New York Mets broadcasters for attending Charlie Kirk’s memorial service.

Shaw was 3-for-4 with a solo home run and scored three times in Chicago’s 10-3 rout of New York. He helped put the Mets into a perilous position in the National League Wildcard standings as well. New York only holds a one-game lead over the Cincinnati Reds for the final spot with only four games remaining in the regular season.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Cubs' Matt Shaw has epic game after Mets announcers criticize him for attending Charlie Kirk memorial

Chicago Cubs’ Michael Busch (29) and Matt Shaw, back, celebrate after defeating the New York Mets in a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, in Chicago.  (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

The third baseman didn’t appear to talk to reporters after the game. The Cubs-Mets matchup was broadcast on ESPN, which meant Gary Cohen and Todd Zeile, who work for SNY, had the night off.

Cohen called Shaw’s decision to leave the team to attend Kirk’s funeral at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday “weird.”

“I don’t want to talk about any of the politics of it, but the thought of leaving your team in the middle of a race for any reason other than a family emergency, really strikes me as weird,” Cohen said.

Fellow Mets broadcaster Todd Zeile called Shaw’s absence “unprecedented.”

“It’s unusual, I think it’s unprecedented at least from my experience as a player, and I think it made it a little more unusual that it was not revealed until after it came to issue because he was thought to be in the dugout and maybe available, and was not, and that’s how it was revealed,” Zeile said.

Cubs' Matt Shaw has epic game after Mets announcers criticize him for attending Charlie Kirk memorial

Chicago Cubs third baseman Matt Shaw (6) singles against the New York Mets during the third inning at Wrigley Field on Sept. 24, 2025. (Matt Marton/Imagn Images)

NYC RADIO HOSTS BLAST METS ANNOUNCER OVER COMMENTS ON CUBS PLAYER ATTENDING CHARLIE KIRK MEMORIAL SERVICE

Shaw and Kirk were friends and the 31-year-old conservative influencer, who was assassinated at a Utah Valley University event earlier this month, was a Cubs fan.

Shaw explained Tuesday why he made it a point to attend the memorial despite his team’s schedule.

“My connection with Charlie was through our [Christian] faith,” Shaw said before the Cubs opened a new series with the New York Mets on Tuesday, per the Chicago Sun-Times. “And that’s something that drives me every day, the reason why I’m able to do what I do every day, and that’s something I’m extremely thankful for.

“I know without my faith and without the many blessings I’ve been given in my life, that I wouldn’t be here, be able to talk to you guys, able to help this team eventually go and win championships.

“That’s something I feel really, really blessed about, so whatever backlash comes is OK. I feel strong about my faith and that what was meant to be happened.”

Cubs' Matt Shaw has epic game after Mets announcers criticize him for attending Charlie Kirk memorial

Kyle Rittenhouse, right, is introduced to a cheering crowd by Charlie Kirk, middle, founder of Turning Point USA, as Jack Posobiec, left, host of Once America News Network, joins them on stage at a panel discussion at the Turning Point USA America Fest 2021 event, Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, in Phoenix. (Ross D. Franklin/The Associated Press)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The Cubs clinched a spot in the postseason already and moved to 89-69 with the win.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

Related Posts

CUBS OFFICIAL OPENING DAY LINEUP IS HERE! Full Batting Order, Starting Pitcher Revealed Along With Major Injury Report — Chicago Just Dropped Their 2026 Battle Plan and Wrigleyville Is Already Buzzing With Championship Energy!

Chіcаgo Cubѕ thіrd bаѕemаn аlex Bregmаn. | Mаrk J. Rebіlаѕ-іmаgn іmаgeѕ The Chіcаgo Cubѕ oрenіng dаy lіneuр wіll look а lіttle dіfferent when they tаke on the…

HOUSTON BLOCKBUSTER ALERT! Astros Just Landed a 35-HR Star Outfielder in a Massive Trade Pitch — This Explosive Move Could Instantly Transform Their Lineup and Make the AL West a Nightmare for Every Other Team!

Getty Could the Astros land Byron Buxton from the Twins with this trade pitch? The Houston Astros are entering the 2026 season hoping for better results than…

MATT CHAPMAN DOESN’T HOLD BACK! Giants Star Goes Off on Max Fried’s Brutal Outing — This Raw, Unfiltered Take Just Exposed Everything Wrong With the Yankees and Left No One in Doubt About How San Francisco Really Feels!

Getty (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) New York Yankees starting pitcher Max Fried kept the San Francisco Giants lineup quiet on Opening Day. The Yankees would…

RANGERS OPENING DAY LINEUP IS OFFICIAL! Full Batting Order, Starting Pitcher Revealed, and Major Injury Report Drops — Texas Just Sent a Clear Message That 2026 Is Going to Be a War in Arlington!

Texas Rangers left fielder Brandon Nimmo. | Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images The Texаѕ Rаngerѕ oрen the ѕeаѕon on the roаd аѕ they fаce the рhіlаdelрhіа рhіllіeѕ on Thurѕdаy…

🚨EXCLUSIVE: How Osvaldo Bido could factor into Braves’ plans—could this rising star be the missing piece the team needs for their playoff push? Fans are buzzing as his potential could reshape Atlanta’s future, but will he live up to the hype?

With opening day approaching, the Atlanta Braves have finalized their opening day roster. For the most part, there are no surprises. However, one name will stand out…

RED SOX DELIVER DEVASTATING BLOW TO THEIR ROTATION! Kutter Crаwford Offіcіаlly Sіdelіned аnd Wіll Mіѕѕ the Stаrt of the Seаѕon — Thіѕ Injury Newѕ Juѕt Shаttered Boѕton’ѕ Oрenіng Dаy Plаnѕ аnd Leаveѕ а Mаѕѕіve Hole іn Theіr Pіtchіng Stаff!

IMAGE: Imagn Images The Boѕton Red ѕox hаve mаde ѕome key roѕter аdjuѕtmentѕ, movіng рlаyerѕ to the іnjured lіѕt whіle offerіng tentаtіve tіmelіneѕ for theіr return. Notаbly,…