Rookie infielder Matt Shaw etched his name into Chicago Cubs lore on Wednesday night with a moment he—and Cubs fans—will never forget. In just his first full season in the majors, Shaw came through in the biggest moment, delivering his first career walk-off hit to cap off a dramatic comeback at Wrigley Field.
Facing the division-rival Cincinnati Reds in a tense 9th inning showdown, the Cubs trailed by a run before mounting a rally to load the bases with two outs. Shaw stepped to the plate with the weight of the game on his shoulders and a roaring crowd behind him. After working the count full, he laced a line drive into left-center field, driving in two runs and securing a 6–5 victory for the North Siders.
The crowd erupted as Shaw rounded first and was mobbed by teammates—a moment of pure joy and triumph for the 22-year-old.
“This is what you dream about as a kid,” Shaw said after the game, still beaming. “You imagine stepping up with the game on the line, and to actually do it in this stadium, with these fans, is something I’ll never forget.”
The walk-off hit marked a key milestone in what has already been an impressive rookie campaign for the Cubs’ 2023 first-round pick out of the University of Maryland. Known for his disciplined approach and clutch instincts in college, Shaw has quickly proven he belongs on the big stage.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell praised the young slugger after the game. “Matt’s a gamer. He’s fearless, and he’s earned every opportunity he’s gotten. That was a big-league at-bat in a high-pressure spot, and he delivered.”
With the win, the Cubs remain in the thick of the NL Central race, and Shaw’s heroics only add fuel to a team that’s starting to believe in its postseason potential.
As fans filed out of Wrigley under the glowing night sky, one thing was clear: Matt Shaw just gave them a night to remember—and quite possibly a glimpse of the Cubs’ future.