Swanson's tie to Cubs is deeper than many realize

This browser does not support the video element.

CHICAGO -- Dansby Swanson avoided eye contact with his parents as they looked on and listened from the first row in a press conference room in the Cubs' offices on Wednesday. Chicago's new shortstop wanted to keep his emotions in check as told this story.

Swanson wore a warm smile as he spoke about coming home from school as a kid, running across his yard to his grandfather Herb's house. An afternoon Cubs game would often be playing on the TV, and Swanson would playfully remind his grandpa that they lived in Braves territory.

"I was always like, 'Pops, we're in Atlanta, dude. We're Braves fans,'" Swanson said at his introductory press conference. "It was just something that he loved baseball so much, and all he ever wanted me to be is doing what I'm doing now."

Swanson explained that coming to the Cubs means more to him personally than anyone may have realized. He left his hometown team and signed a seven-year, $177 million contract to play for the North Siders. The goal is to be a part of a winning ballclub, and maybe someday hoist a World Series trophy with his grandfather in mind.

Earlier this month, Swanson married Mallory Pugh, who plays for the Chicago Red Stars in the National Women's Soccer League, while weighing his destination in free agency. The celebration was followed by a trip to be with his grandfather, who passed away the next day.

"Having won a championship in Atlanta for one of his favorite teams," Swanson said, "we just felt that the Cubs, which were his second-favorite team, that bringing a championship to this city was what we felt called to do."

The feeling that the Cubs were the right fit was also helped by Chicago's efforts to recruit Swanson, who was one of the big four shortstops on the open market, along with Trea Turner, Xander Bogaerts and Carlos Correa. The Cubs were in contact with the entire group, but it became clear around the Winter Meetings that Swanson was the realistic target with mutual interest.

The Cubs sent Swanson a video with former pitcher Jon Lester discussing his own decision to sign a long-term deal with the franchise prior to 2015, and what it was like to lead the club to a World Series. Swanson discussed the environment with Jason Heyward (also an Atlanta native), Joc Pederson (a teammate who suited up for the Cubs) and Ian Happ.

Swanson had his representatives put together packets detailing the Cubs' roster and farm system so he could research the team's chances in 2023 and the roadmap for the next few years. The shortstop also looked into Chicago's impressive second half least year, when the club went 39-31.

"I did my best homework," Swanson said. "I really felt like you need to show signs of life to get people to be a part of something, right? And the second half is something that can be built upon going into next year."

This browser does not support the video element.

Chicago also sent a contingent to Atlanta to sit down with Swanson in person. Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said it quickly felt like Swanson was the one doing the interviewing.

"That really stood out," Hoyer said. "[It was], 'How are you guys going to win? What's your plan? What's your philosophy? What players are you going to surround me with?'"

During the Winter Meetings, Swanson sent a text to Cubs general manager Carter Hawkins and asked if they could chat. Like Swanson, Hawkins is originally from Atlanta and played baseball at Vanderbilt under head coach Tim Corbin.

"I started with, 'Listen, man. You're an Atlanta guy, too,'" Swanson said. "'You're also a Vanderbilt guy. And hopefully we'll be in Chicago together. I need you give it to me as straightforward as you can about the vision, what's ahead, who's coming and how are we actually going to be good?' And I left that conversation feeling better than going into it, honestly."

Swanson then cracked a smile.

"I knew that he would shoot me straight, because Coach Corbin would probably kill both of us if we were lying to each other."

What was Hawkins' message to Swanson?

"I just told him the truth about the things that we're trying to accomplish," Hawkins said. "I can't promise winning, but I told him, 'I can promise you'll be proud to be a Cub and you'll be proud to be a part of what we're doing. And here's what we're doing.'

"And I think that resonated with him. And I'm just really excited about him being a part of our future."

The Cubs are getting a shortstop who led the Majors in outs above average (21) at his position and took home a Gold Glove Award in '22. He hit .277 with 25 homers, 32 doubles and a .776 OPS, while establishing career bests in RBIs (96), runs (99), hits (177) and total bases (286).

Swanson hopes to be on the field as much as possible -- as evidenced by playing 322 games from 2021-22 -- and is looking forward to embracing a leadership role like he did with the Braves. In fact, some of the younger Atlanta players took to calling him "The Sheriff" for how he held the clubhouse together.

"I'm hoping to have a new nickname," Swanson quipped.

This browser does not support the video element.

First things first, Swanson said he already has obtained a list of names and numbers, so he can begin texting and calling his new teammates. Nico Hoerner, who will move off shortstop and to second base next season, beat Swanson to the punch and already sent him a text to get their communication rolling.

"I'm excited for what's ahead," Swanson said. "I walked down to the field today and I just looked at my wife and said, 'This is where we're supposed to be.' I'm just so excited for this unique journey ahead."

More from MLB.com

seductrice.net
universo-virtual.com
buytrendz.net
thisforall.net
benchpressgains.com
qthzb.com
mindhunter9.com
dwjqp1.com
secure-signup.net
ahaayy.com
tressesindia.com
puresybian.com
krpano-chs.com
cre8workshop.com
hdkino.org
peixun021.com
qz786.com
utahperformingartscenter.org
worldqrmconference.com
shangyuwh.com
eejssdfsdfdfjsd.com
playminecraftfreeonline.com
trekvietnamtour.com
your-business-articles.com
essaywritingservice10.com
hindusamaaj.com
joggingvideo.com
wandercoups.com
wormblaster.net
tongchengchuyange0004.com
internetknowing.com
breachurch.com
peachesnginburlesque.com
dataarchitectoo.com
clientfunnelformula.com
30pps.com
cherylroll.com
ks2252.com
prowp.net
webmanicura.com
sofietsshotel.com
facetorch.com
nylawyerreview.com
apapromotions.com
shareparelli.com
goeaglepointe.com
thegreenmanpubphuket.com
karotorossian.com
publicsensor.com
taiwandefence.com
epcsur.com
southstills.com
tvtv98.com
thewellington-hotel.com
bccaipiao.com
colectoresindustrialesgs.com
shenanddcg.com
capriartfilmfestival.com
replicabreitlingsale.com
thaiamarinnewtoncorner.com
gkmcww.com
mbnkbj.com
andrewbrennandesign.com
cod54.com
luobinzhang.com
faithfirst.net
zjyc28.com
tongchengjinyeyouyue0004.com
nhuan6.com
kftz5k.com
oldgardensflowers.com
lightupthefloor.com
bahamamamas-stjohns.com
ly2818.com
905onthebay.com
fonemenu.com
notanothermovie.com
ukrainehighclassescort.com
meincmagazine.com
av-5858.com
yallerdawg.com
donkeythemovie.com
corporatehospitalitygroup.com
boboyy88.com
miteinander-lernen.com
dannayconsulting.com
officialtomsshoesoutletstore.com
forsale-amoxil-amoxicillin.net
generictadalafil-canada.net
guitarlessonseastlondon.com
lesliesrestaurants.com
mattyno9.com
nri-homeloans.com
rtgvisas-qatar.com
salbutamolventolinonline.net
sportsinjuries.info
wedsna.com
rgkntk.com
bkkmarketplace.com
zxqcwx.com
breakupprogram.com
boxcardc.com
unblockyoutubeindonesia.com
fabulousbookmark.com
beat-the.com
guatemala-sailfishing-vacations-charters.com
magie-marketing.com
kingstonliteracy.com
guitaraffinity.com
eurelookinggoodapparel.com
howtolosecheekfat.net
marioncma.org
oliviadavismusic.com
shantelcampbellrealestate.com
shopleborn13.com
topindiafree.com
v-visitors.net
djjky.com
053hh.com
originbluei.com
baucishotel.com
33kkn.com
intrinsiqresearch.com
mariaescort-kiev.com
mymaguk.com
sponsored4u.com
crimsonclass.com
bataillenavale.com
searchtile.com
ze-stribrnych-struh.com
zenithalhype.com
modalpkv.com
bouisset-lafforgue.com
useupload.com
37r.net
autoankauf-muenster.com
bantinbongda.net
bilgius.com
brabustermagazine.com
indigrow.org
miicrosofts.net
mysmiletravel.com
selinasims.com
spellcubesapp.com
usa-faction.com
hypoallergenicdogsnames.com
dailyupdatez.com
foodphotographyreviews.com
cricutcom-setup.com
chprowebdesign.com
katyrealty-kanepa.com
tasramar.com
bilgipinari.org
four-am.com
indiarepublicday.com
inquick-enbooks.com
iracmpi.com
kakaschoenen.com
lsm99flash.com
nana1255.com
ngen-niagara.com
technwzs.com
virtualonlinecasino1345.com
wallpapertop.net
casino-natali.com
iprofit-internet.com
denochemexicana.com
eventhalfkg.com
medcon-taiwan.com
life-himawari.com
myriamshomes.com
nightmarevue.com
healthandfitnesslives.com
androidnews-jp.com
allstarsru.com
bestofthebuckeyestate.com
bestofthefirststate.com
bestwireless7.com
britsmile.com
declarationintermittent.com
findhereall.com
jingyou888.com
lsm99deal.com
lsm99galaxy.com
moozatech.com
nuagh.com
patliyo.com
philomenamagikz.net
rckouba.net
saturnunipessoallda.com
tallahasseefrolics.com
thematurehardcore.net
totalenvironment-inthatquietearth.com
velislavakaymakanova.com
vermontenergetic.com
kakakpintar.com
begorgeouslady.com
1800birks4u.com
2wheelstogo.com
6strip4you.com
bigdata-world.net
emailandco.net
gacapal.com
jharpost.com
krishnaastro.com
lsm99credit.com
mascalzonicampani.com
sitemapxml.org
thecityslums.net
topagh.com
flairnetwebdesign.com
rajasthancarservices.com
bangkaeair.com
beneventocoupon.com
noternet.org
oqtive.com
smilebrightrx.com
decollage-etiquette.com
1millionbestdownloads.com
7658.info
bidbass.com
devlopworldtech.com
digitalmarketingrajkot.com
fluginfo.net
naqlafshk.com
passion-decouverte.com
playsirius.com
spacceleratorintl.com
stikyballs.com
top10way.com
yokidsyogurt.com
zszyhl.com
16firthcrescent.com
abogadolaboralistamd.com
apk2wap.com
aromacremeria.com
banparacard.com
bosmanraws.com
businessproviderblog.com
caltonosa.com
calvaryrevivalchurch.org
chastenedsoulwithabrokenheart.com
cheminotsgardcevennes.com
cooksspot.com
cqxzpt.com
deesywig.com
deltacartoonmaps.com
despixelsetdeshommes.com
duocoracaobrasileiro.com
fareshopbd.com
goodpainspills.com
hemendekor.com
kobisitecdn.com
makaigoods.com
mgs1454.com
piccadillyresidences.com
radiolaondafresca.com
rubendorf.com
searchengineimprov.com
sellmyhrvahome.com
shugahouseessentials.com
sonihullquad.com
subtractkilos.com
valeriekelmansky.com
vipasdigitalmarketing.com
voolivrerj.com
zeelonggroup.com
1015southrockhill.com
10x10b.com
111-online-casinos.com
191cb.com
3665arpentunitd.com
aitesonics.com
bag-shokunin.com
brightotech.com
communication-digitale-services.com
covoakland.org
dariaprimapack.com
freefortniteaccountss.com
gatebizglobal.com
global1entertainmentnews.com
greatytene.com
hiroshiwakita.com
iktodaypk.com
jahatsakong.com
meadowbrookgolfgroup.com
newsbharati.net
platinumstudiosdesign.com
slotxogamesplay.com
strikestaruk.com
trucosdefortnite.com
ufabetrune.com
weddedtowhitmore.com
12940brycecanyonunitb.com
1311dietrichoaks.com
2monarchtraceunit303.com
601legendhill.com
850elaine.com
adieusolasomade.com
andora-ke.com
bestslotxogames.com
cannagomcallen.com
endlesslyhot.com
iestpjva.com
ouqprint.com
pwmaplefest.com
qtylmr.com
rb88betting.com
buscadogues.com
1007macfm.com
born-wild.com
growthinvests.com
promocode-casino.com
proyectogalgoargentina.com
wbthompson-art.com
whitemountainwheels.com
7thavehvl.com
developmethis.com
funkydogbowties.com
travelodgegrandjunction.com
gao-town.com
globalmarketsuite.com
blogshippo.com
hdbka.com
proboards67.com
outletonline-michaelkors.com
kalkis-research.com
thuthuatit.net
buckcash.com
hollistercanada.com
docterror.com
asadart.com
vmayke.org
erwincomputers.com
dirimart.org
okkii.com
loteriasdecehegin.com
mountanalog.com
healingtaobritain.com
ttxmonitor.com
nwordpress.com
11bolabonanza.com