The last six weeks have largely been forgettable for Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson.
Mired in one of the worst slumps of his big-league career, Swanson is going through the day-to-day grind trying to get going offensively. It can be hard forgetting the at-bats that don’t turn out how he wanted, moving past the games that linger in the mind. But whenever Swanson gets home from the ballpark and sees his 7-month-old daughter, Josie, with wife and Chicago Stars star Mallory helps put his offensive struggles in perspective.
“If I have a good or bad game and come home and the next morning Josie hears my voice, and she’s super excited, nothing else in that moment matters,” Swanson told the Tribune. “That’s such an amazing blessing that she probably has no idea that she gives to Mal and myself. It’s such a humble reminder, too, I can 100% be better about not bringing work home and being present when I am around Josie because even if she has no idea, she could maybe even still feel that I’m upset or frustrated about what’s going on.”
Cubs pitcher Javier Assad holds a ball in the dugout during Game 1 of the NL Division Series against the Brewers at American Family Field on Oct. 4, 2025, in Milwaukee. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
The Cubs have two first-time dads, Swanson and pitcher Javier Assad, who are celebrating Father’s Day on Sunday with a deep appreciation of how fatherhood can affect their lives while navigating the challenges of being a big-leaguer.
“It’s the most amazing, beautiful blessing that there ever is,” Swanson, 32, said. “Watching Josie grow and watching her learn things and smile when she hears your voice, and it just softens your heart in a way that you didn’t really know was possible. It changes your perspective on what matters, and how it changes your perspective on what matters and how you think beautiful life is.”
Assad and his wife Melissa’s daughter, Arleth, turned 4 months old Wednesday. The up-and down nature of Assad’s roster status created a challenging start to the season. When Assad opened the year at Triple-A Iowa in Des Moines, Melissa and Arleth stayed in Chicago. With the uncertainty of how long Assad would be in Iowa and their daughter not yet 2 months old, they felt it was best for stability that the two of them initially stay in the city to see how things might play out for him.
“It makes me so happy, it’s a unique kind of love — I enjoy every day I get to spend with her,” Assad told the Tribune through an interpreter.
As they were preparing to join Assad in Iowa in mid April, the Cubs called him up to start on April 7. He was optioned five weeks later and spent the following two weeks at Triple A until the organization recalled Assad again June 6.
“It was challenging,” Assad said. “I’ve got to give a lot of props to my wife for being understanding and supportive. It’s a tough career when you’re trying to focus and give you absolute best. It’s challenging on a personal level.”
Assad, 28, already has envisioned his daughter growing up watching him pitch. She already has been at a couple of Cubs games.
“It’ll be beautiful, my own mini cheerleader,” Assad said with a big grin. “Little by little she’ll be understanding what I do.”
Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson hugs his wife, Stars striker Mallory Swanson, after a game on March 30, 2023, at Wrigley Field. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
The stress of a high-profile-job and the days spent away home on trips adds to the adjustments of parenthood. For the Swansons, those responsibilities are doubled when Mallory’s and Dansby’s seasons overlap, which for Mallory includes U.S. women’s national team duties that add to the pressure that comes with being a professional athlete on top of raising Josie.
Dansby credits their “village” and the help they get, noting that staying dedicated to their careers and focused on their jobs wouldn’t be possible without the people in their lives who assist with Josie.
“We have to be able to show up every day so being able to have the help we’ve had has been literally a godsend,” Swanson said. “It also makes you realize and appreciate not necessarily only what your parents have done, but how important it is to continue to make time for one another and spend time together because we have such limited time, so to be intentional about being together is really important.”