Dansby Swanson’s Poignant Cubs Ode: “Pain and Loss Are Part of the Journey” – A Message of Hope After 2025’s Heartbreak.vc
Chicago, October 28, 2025 – The sting of the Chicago Cubs’ 2025 NLDS exit—a 92-win season that dazzled with Pete Crow-Armstrong’s 30-30 fireworks and Cade Horton’s rookie arm, only to falter in a Game 5 thriller against the Milwaukee Brewers—lingered like a late-inning rally denied. But shortstop Dansby Swanson, the $177 million heartbeat of the infield, turned that ache into anthem with an October 27 Instagram post that hushed Wrigleyville. “Chicago. It was a dang good year,” he captioned a five-photo carousel of champagne-soaked joy and dugout grit. “We reached heights we haven’t in far too long. We got better, we grew… Pain in the end, but that’s what makes triumphs sweeter.” His words—“Pain and loss are part of the journey”—didn’t erase the defeat; they reframed it, silencing doubters and igniting hope. As #DangGoodCubs trends with 25K posts, Swanson’s reflection isn’t lament—it’s a lighthouse for 2026, proving the Cubs’ spirit endures beyond the scoreboard.
A Season of Sparks and Shadows
Swanson’s 2025 was a microcosm of Cubs resilience: 92 wins—their best since 2017—fueled by Crow-Armstrong’s 31 HRs and 35 SBs, Horton’s 2.89 ERA Rookie of the Year arm, and Shōta Imanaga’s splitter sorcery. The NL Wild Card sweep over San Diego electrified Wrigley, a first postseason step since 2020. But Milwaukee’s NLDS knockout—Swanson’s .154 average in the series—exposed cracks: His .244/.300/.417 slash, 24 HRs, and 1.2 WAR lagged his $25M AAV, with a wrist surgery hangover and baserunning blunders (e.g., an overturned infield single vs. St. Louis) drawing fire.
Yet, his intangibles dazzled. “Dansby’s the vision guy—edge, accountability,” manager 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 personal fire amid the pressure. “Life’s not fair, but tomorrow’s another game,” he told Marquee in August after a bizarre baserunning miscue—words that echoed in his post.
The Message: From Pain to Promise
Swanson’s October 27 carousel—locker-room champagne, a dugout leap over Manny Machado, a road-gray stare—paired with raw prose: “We represented what it means to be a Cub. Thank you for showing up, for believing.” He didn’t shy from the hurt: “Pain and loss are part of the journey,” he wrote, a nod to the NLDS sting and his own slump. “That’s what makes triumphs sweeter.” Fans flooded replies: “You ARE a Cub—heart and soul,” one hit 5K likes. On X, #DangGoodCubs exploded: “Swanson gets it—92 wins ain’t luck, it’s us,” a thread racked 10K retweets.
His .244 bat didn’t dazzle, but his voice did. “I see things differently now,” he told The Athletic in September, a vision forged through pressure. Critics on Reddit griped—“Overpaid anchor?”—but Swanson’s response was resilience: Growth, not excuses.
The Journey Ahead: Swanson’s Blueprint for 2026
Swanson’s reflection isn’t closure—it’s a blueprint. With Horton, Crow-Armstrong (3.2 WAR), and Imanaga locked in, the Cubs are primed for 95 wins. Tucker’s $427M shadow looms, but Swanson’s $25M is earned in sweat. “We know what it takes now,” he wrote. “Next year, we finish it.” Hoyer eyes Bo Bichette ($45M) for shortstop depth, but Swanson’s leadership—vetoing trades, steadying the ship—makes him untouchable.
| 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 bravado—it’s a battle cry for Cubs fans craving a 2016 sequel. His .244 bat lagged, but his heart didn’t, turning 92 wins and playoff fire into Wrigley’s fuel. With a baby on the way and a city behind him, Swanson’s not reflecting—he’s reigniting. Chicago, your captain’s ready. 2026? Let’s make it dang great.
