Chicago Cubs third baseman Matt Shaw found himself facing a lot of criticism for attending controversial political commentator Charlie Kirk’s memorial. On Tuesday, Todd Ricketts, a co-owner of the Cubs, appeared on Dan Dakich’s podcast, Don’t @ Me with Dan Dakich, and addressed the situation.
“I know that Matt and Charlie were pretty good friends. They knew each other in a world that had nothing to do with baseball, Turning Point, or politics,” Ricketts said to Dakich.
“They met in Arizona, where they both lived, and they were always friends. I think it’s completely natural for someone to take a day off to attend the funeral of a loved one, whether that’s a close friend or a family member. I thought that was pretty normal.
“Charlie’s murder was something that shook a lot of us to the core. When things like that happen, we have to be generous in how we think about our own responses, and also generous toward others in how they respond.”
Shaw missed a game to attend the service, which ended up being a 1-0 loss to the Cincinnati Reds.
“My connection with Charlie was through our [Christian] faith,” Shaw explained after returning to the team, 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.”
Shaw goes into Tuesday night’s contest against the Philadelphia Phillies, hitting .273 with two homers and nine RBI.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.