CHICAGO Cubs third baseman Matt Shaw has come under fire for missing a game to go to Charlie Kirk's memorial.

Shaw drew criticism from fans and broadcasters for missing the game.

Shaw was absent for a 1-0 loss to Cincinnati on Sunday that has turned out to be crucial for the team's playoff seeding.

"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," opposing broadcaster Gary Cohen said.

The third baseman said he was invited to the memorial by Kirk 's wife and that he was given permission to attend the event.

He said that Kirk's widow, Erika, texted him and asked him to go.

Shaw further said hat he was "not concerned at all" about any backlash.

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