Before the lights of Wrigley Field came on, before he ever picked up a bat, there was one person who believed in Matt Shaw long before the world even knew his name. But on a quiet morning this week, the Cubs rookie stood before reporters, his voice unsteady, to say goodbye to the woman who shaped his heart both on and off the field…
On Tuesday, Shaw took a moment during pregame media availability to share a deeply emotional and personal update: his beloved grandmother, who raised him for much of his childhood, had passed away the night before.
“She was everything to me,” Shaw said quietly, holding back tears. “She used to drive me to every little league game. She never missed a single one. She was my first coach, my biggest fan, and the one person who believed I could make it when I wasn’t so sure.”
Shaw revealed that even after making it to the majors, he still spoke with his grandmother before every game. “She’d call me, say ‘You got this, Matty.’ Last night was the first time I didn’t hear her voice.”
The 22-year-old rookie shared that he would be wearing a special patch on his glove with her initials — G.R. — as a quiet tribute moving forward. “This season’s for her,” he said. “I’ll carry her with me every step I take on that field.”
Teammates and fans alike offered their support. Cubs manager Craig Counsell called Shaw “one of the toughest young men” he’s ever coached, adding, “It takes a lot to show up and play through grief. But Matt’s doing it with grace and heart.”
As he returned to the dugout that day, Shaw took a moment to glance at the sky and whispered a few words only he could hear — a promise, perhaps, or just a silent thank you.