Facing Braves for first time, Swanson has no regrets

CHICAGO -- After signing with the Cubs last offseason, shortstop Dansby Swanson couldn’t help but laugh when he first looked at Chicago’s 2023 schedule.

Swanson spent his first seven seasons with the Braves, and as fate would have it, his first trip back to Atlanta wasn’t scheduled until September. In fact, it’s the Cubs’ penultimate series of the season.

“I just kind of cracked up,” Swanson said Friday from the home dugout at Wrigley Field.

Swanson’s first time back in Atlanta is certain to be special. But this weekend offered his first chance to square off against his old team. The Braves are on the North Side for a three-game set.

“It's obviously good to be able to see friends,” Swanson said. “We still keep in touch quite a bit. But I think, if they know me, the competition side of me will come out pretty quick.

“There's obviously a lot of good memories of times over there, but now onto new things. My competitive juices will for sure be flowing today.”

Swanson caught up with some of his former teammates before Friday’s game, and he keeps in touch with many of them, including Austin Riley, Max Fried and Travis d’Arnaud.

Riley called Swanson, “one of my good friends,” and reflected on the shortstop’s impact on him personally and the Braves organization.

“I just think his selflessness [stands out],” Riley said. “It doesn't matter what kind of day he has [individually]. I just remember the times playing with him, it's just like, ‘How can we get better? How can we be a better club? How can we be better teammates, be a better version of ourselves?’ That's the biggest thing that I've taken from him.”

Swanson has already made a big impact on the Cubs in the first season of his seven-year deal. He earned his second career All-Star nod and has been a crucial part of Chicago’s success with his offense, Gold Glove defense, overall baseball IQ and leadership.

Since Day 1, Swanson has brought a mentality centered upon winning to Chicago.

“Everything he does [is] to prepare to win that day,” Cubs manager David Ross said. “He's been so valuable in his mindset. You wouldn't even know that he got a big contract when he walks in the door.

“He just is himself, and I don't know that you can say that about everybody that gets that much money and comes in and tries to prove stuff. He's just wired the right way, man. He thinks about winning and it's all about that.”

It’s the same presence Swanson brought every day in Atlanta, but he said he’s not focused on being missed by his old team -- when specifically asked.

Plus, in any case, the Braves lead the National League (Chicago entered Friday two games out of the final NL Wild Card spot), and shortstop Orlando Arcia was also an All-Star this season.

“They obviously have so many good players, and one would be silly to think that one player makes a difference over there,” Swanson said. “There's just so many good players and good people over there that want things to go well.”

The Braves and Swanson didn’t find common ground in negotiations, paving the way for him to join the Cubs.

As much as it could have hurt to leave his hometown team, Swanson is at peace with his decision.

“[Remaining with the Braves] would have been, in a way, the easier route,” Swanson said. “But like I said, just having prayed a ton about it and really giving that part over to God just really made things clear and simple.

“This is where he wanted myself and my wife [Mallory] to be. And like I said, how can I argue with that?”