How Dansby Swanson's Grandfather Played Role in Shortstop's Move to Chicago

All-Star shortstop Dansby Swanson told members of the media Wednesday at his introductory press conference of how his grandfather's Chicago Cubs fandom helped lead him to the city of Chicago. Swanson signed a seven-year, $177 million contract with Cubs earlier this week.

Dansby Swanson was introduced as the newest member of the Chicago Cubs at Wednesday's press conference.

When asked how Swanson arrived at the decision to join the Cubs, the All-Star shortstop told a touching story about how his grandfather played a role in his move to the north side of Chicago.

"Being a Cub means more to me than people would realize," Swanson told the press.

A day after Swanson married his wife Mallory Pugh, his grandfather passed away under hospice care. Swanson's grandfather was a Cubs fan who regularly watched games on WGN.

Swanson said he felt 'called' to join the Cubs and play for the second of his late grandfather's two favorite teams, as he fought back tears.

"He lived across the yard from my parents and I and my brother and sister," Swanson said. "So everyday when I would come home from school, I would run up to his house. I'd run in and pretty much demand that he'd come outside and hit me groundballs, which he would always do. But every time I walked in, he would have a Cubs game on, back when it was on WGN.

"I was always like, 'Pops, we're in Atlanta, dude. We're Braves fans.' He loved baseball so much, and all he ever wanted me to be was doing what I'm doing now.

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

"So to be able to play for my grandfather's two favorite teams means literally the world to me."

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