Dansby Swanson Admitted He Was His Own Worst Enemy. Now He’s on a Historic Run.

Dansby Swanson’s start to the season was ugly. Not just regular ugly — maybe the worst stretch of his entire career. But over the last few weeks, the Cubs shortstop has flipped the script completely. He’s playing like the guy Chicago thought they were getting when they handed him that seven-year deal.

The turnaround didn’t happen by accident. According to MLB insider Ken Rosenthal, Swanson had to have some tough conversations first. The kind most players don’t want to have.

“I’m my own worst enemy at times,” Swanson said. “Someone said to me that I’m a great player and a great coach and helper for other people. But I’m a really bad coach for myself.”

So he asked for help. Directly. No ego games.

“I basically just had those honest conversations with some folks on staff: ‘I legitimately need help. I know I can do it. I just need actual guidance.’ Most pros are pretty self-sustainable. But we still love being coached. Because we always feel like we can continue to get better.”

What Changed Mechanically

Swanson worked closely with Cubs hitting coach John Mallee. And their approach wasn’t about some dramatic overhaul. It was about getting the bat path right.

“We’re trying to get his (bat) path to match the planes of the pitch more,” Mallee said. “All his work is driving the ball to right-center, staying on the ball. Which keeps him closed longer and allows the bat to unfold toward the middle of the field.”

Mallee described the work as more about feel and direction than rigid mechanics. Swanson has been training with a specific result in mind — driving the ball to a certain area — and letting his body adjust naturally.

“That’s the athleticism. His practices are not mechanically oriented now. They’re more feel, direction — the path itself, trying to drive the ball in a certain area. That’s result-oriented training. The body will evolve and respond to it.”

The results have been undeniable. Swanson has found his way into the record books alongside some of the best to ever play the game. But the real story is how he got there: by admitting he couldn’t fix it alone.

Sometimes that’s the hardest part. Especially for a guy who’s used to being the one helping everyone else.