Dansby Swanson’s Raw Cubs Reflection: “Dang Good Year” Turns Playoff Pain into Wrigley Hope.vc

Chicago, October 28, 2025 – When the Chicago Cubs’ 2025 season ended in Milwaukee’s cruel Game 5 NLDS defeat—92 wins, a wild-card sweep of the Padres, but no pennant—shortstop Dansby Swanson didn’t hide from the hurt. On October 27, the $177 million face of the franchise posted an emotional Instagram carousel that silenced critics and stirred souls: “Chicago. It was a dang good year.” Five photos—champagne-drenched locker room joy, a dugout leap over Manny Machado, a road-gray stare—paired with words that bled gratitude: “We reached heights we haven’t in far too long. We got better, we grew, we represented what it means to be a Cub.” His .244 average, 24 homers, and 1.2 WAR told one story; this post told another—of a leader who turned playoff agony into fuel. As #DangGoodCubs trends with 25K posts, Swanson’s message isn’t closure—it’s the spark for 2026’s roar.

The Season: Triumph, Trials, and a Leader’s Burden

Swanson’s 2025 was a microcosm of Cubs grit. A 92-70 record—best since 2017—rode Pete Crow-Armstrong’s 30-30 breakout (31 HRs, 35 SBs), Cade Horton’s Rookie of the Year arm (2.89 ERA), and Shōta Imanaga’s consistency. The NL Wild Card win over San Diego electrified Wrigley, but Milwaukee’s series win exposed flaws: Swanson’s .154 postseason average, a wrist surgery hangover, and a .717 OPS that lagged his $25M AAV.

Yet, his intangibles defined him. “Dansby’s the glue—edge, accountability, vision,” Craig Counsell said post-NLDS. From mentoring Horton to a 4-for-5 explosion vs. the Padres, he embodied growth. Off-field, wife Mallory Pugh Swanson’s pregnancy (due spring 2026) added joy amid pressure.

The Message: Pain, Pride, and a Promise

Swanson’s post wasn’t polished PR—it was raw. “Pain in the end, but that’s what makes triumphs sweeter,” he wrote, nodding to the NLDS sting. “Thank you for showing up, for believing, for making Wrigley feel like home.” Fans replied in droves: “You ARE a Cub—heart and soul,” one comment hit 5K likes. On X, #DangGoodCubs exploded: “Swanson gets it—92 wins ain’t luck, it’s us,” a viral thread read.

Critics on Reddit sniped—“$177M for .244? Overpaid”—but Swanson’s response was growth: “I see things differently now,” he told Marquee Sports in September. His leadership—trade veto power, veteran voice—makes him untouchable as Hoyer eyes Bo Bichette.

2026 Horizon: Building on “Dang Good”

Swanson’s reflection sets the tone. With Horton, Crow-Armstrong (3.2 WAR), and Imanaga locked in, the Cubs are primed. Tucker’s $401M shadow looms, but Swanson’s $25M is earned in sweat. “We know what it takes now,” he wrote. “Next year, we finish it.”

Stat	Swanson 2025	Cubs Rank
AVG	.244	8th
HR	24	3rd
WAR	1.2	6th
Leadership	Priceless	1st

Conclusion

Dansby Swanson’s “dang good year” isn’t spin—it’s truth from a leader who grew through pain. His .244 bat didn’t dazzle, but his heart did, turning 92 wins and playoff fire into Wrigley’s blueprint. With a baby on the way and a city behind him, Swanson’s not just reflecting—he’s reigniting. Cubs fans, your captain’s ready. 2026? Let’s make it dang great.