Overview

• Shaw said Erika Kirk invited him to the Glendale, Arizona memorial and that he and Charlie Kirk had connected over their shared faith after meeting while living in the same apartment complex.
• The Cubs granted a discretionary excused absence because MLB’s bereavement list does not cover non-family deaths, and the club chose to play short-handed rather than place him on a list.
• Shaw consulted president Jed Hoyer, manager Craig Counsell and several veteran teammates before deciding to attend, and he said he is not concerned about any backlash.
• Photos and multiple reports confirmed Shaw’s presence at State Farm Stadium for the high-profile service, which drew national figures and a large crowd.
• His absence came in a 1-0 loss to the Reds that affected late-season seeding; Chicago started Justin Turner at third and had limited late-inning options, a scenario even the Reds noticed in-game.