The Chicago Cubs and All-Star shortstop Dansby Swanson agreed to a seven-year, $177 million deal. It’s a perfect match for the pair, as the team has been looking for a high-level shortstop for some time now. Swanson’s wife, Mallory Pugh, plays for the Chicago Red Stars of the NWSL.
We would later understand that this was much more than a perfect match because of the location. At the press conference to make the new deal official, Swanson revealed why he eventually chose the Cubs.
The day after Swanson and Mallory got married, they learned that Swanson’s grandfather wasn’t doing too well and was in hospice. After the couple rushed to the senior living facility, Swanson’s grandfather passed away.
The shortstop remembered that growing up, his grandfather, who lived across the yard from Swanson and his family, would often hit him groundballs after school at his request.
Swanson recalled that his grandfather always had a Cubs game on TV despite the other family members being Atlanta Braves fans. Eventually, the Cubs became Swanson’s second-favorite team.
On account of that special connection, the shortstop knew the Chicago Cubs had to be the team he signed with.
On hearing the emotional story, this is how fans reacted on Twitter:
“He made it through without crying – doesn’t mean all of us did,” one fan explained.
“What a great dude. Great story,” another fan responded.
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