00:02Matt Shaw wasn't in Sunday's lineup for an unexpected reason.
00:07The 23-year-old was in Arizona, attending Charlie Kirk's memorial, following Kirk's assassination.
00:13Although the Cubs didn't officially confirm, manager Craig Council mentioned Shaw attended a friend's funeral.
00:19That friend? A man whose death has sent shockwaves far beyond politics.
00:23Over 90,000 people gathered at State Farm Stadium, Arizona, to honor Charlie Kirk, attracting major conservative leaders, political figures, celebrities, athletes, and countless Americans who came to pay their respects.
00:37The atmosphere was emotional and, for many, unforgettable.
00:41Photos surfaced of Shaw and Kirk at Wrigley Field with teammate Michael Bush.
00:45On September 10th, when Kirk was killed at Utah Valley University, Shaw was missing from the Cubs lineup for personal reasons, though later appeared as a pinch hitter.
00:55Now, it's clear just how personal those reasons may have been.
00:59Tributes across Major League Baseball honored Kirk, with a Wrigley Field message calling to end all political violence.
01:05It urged national unity and a return to civil discourse.
01:08The flag flew at half-staff in accordance with a proclamation from President Trump, and the New York Yankees also held a moment of tribute at Yankee Stadium.
01:17This wasn't a typical baseball weekend.
01:20For a sport that often avoids political statements, Kirk's assassination resonated powerfully.
01:26Teams, players, and fans acknowledged the tragedy and a sentiment, something is amiss, and costing lives.
01:32The Cubs fell to the Reds 1-0, but with a playoff spot secured, the bigger story was off the field.
01:39Matt Shaw wasn't just missing a game, he was honoring a life.
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