The baseball world has come to a somber standstill as Dansby Swanson and the wider MLB community process the devastating news of the death of beloved sports reporter Christina Chambers. Swanson, known for his deep ties to the Atlanta and Alabama sports scenes, delivered a tearful tribute that has resonated across social media, reminding fans that the bonds formed on the sidelines are often as strong as those in the clubhouse.
Christina Chambers, a 38-year-old former sports reporter for WBRC 6 in Birmingham and a devoted journalism teacher, was found dead in her Hoover, Alabama home on December 16, 2025. Police are investigating the tragedy as an apparent murder-suicide involving her husband, Johnny Rimes. Heartbreakingly, the couple’s 3-year-old son was found unharmed inside the home.
The Sideline Connection
For Swanson, a Georgia native who spent years with the Braves before moving to the Cubs, Chambers was a constant, friendly presence on the field. Her work with the AHSAA TV Network and Comcast Sports Southeast made her a fixture in the lives of athletes across the Southeast.
In a statement that has garnered over 8,000,000 impressions, Swanson’s voice broke as he spoke to the press:
“There are times when you realize baseball doesn’t matter anymore. Christina was a light. She wasn’t just a reporter; she was a friend who made everyone better. This loss leaves a hole in our community that statistics can’t measure.”
A Legacy of Joy and Service
Chambers was celebrated not only for her professional grit—becoming a key part of an all-male sports team in 2015—but for her relentless positivity. She was an accomplished marathon runner and an Award-Winning Educator, recently being named the 2024 Advisor of the Year by the Alabama Scholastic Press Association.
The “Live Like Christina” movement has since ignited on social media, with fans and players alike sharing stories of her kindness. A GoFundMe has been established to support her young son’s future, already raising significant funds as the “baseball family” rallies together in this dark hour.
As the 2026 season draws near, the “Friendly Confines” of Wrigley Field and the sidelines of Alabama will feel her absence. Swanson’s raw display of humanity reminds us all that the most important victories are the connections we make beyond the final out.
