Even within the context of the Chicago Cubs’ extremely up-and-down season, Dansby Swanson stands out for his streakiness. As early optimism from the club’s historically great start faded, reporters questioned whether the $177 million shortstop should be benched indefinitely and if his play was declining at 32, an age when his performance could fall off the cliff.Social media amplified the criticism.Behind the scenes, though, Swanson is known as a steady presence. His Gold Glove defense is a central part of the team’s strategy and identity, especially with its fragile pitching situation. In baseball lingo, he’s the same guy every day, a term of respect amid the 162-game grind.It doesn’t matter if Swanson is the worst hitter in the game or totally in the zone. He’s been up against both ends of that spectrum recently, emblematic of a club that has looked unbeatable, at times, but has also been booed at Wrigley Field while pushing through the online chants to FIRE EVERYONE.Amid a season of high highs and low lows, Swanson is hitting .210 with 16 home runs and 57 RBIs for a team on pace to win 92 games again heading into the Fourth of July weekend. Statcast also places him in the 94th percentile or higher in terms of fielding range, fielding run value and base-running value.“It’s just a testament to the people inside this group, the willingness to continue to work, no matter if it’s good or bad, and continue to put the team first,” Swanson said. “Good things happen when you do things the right way.”Keith Law's Big Board for the 2026 MLB DraftKeith LawHow did this happen? Cubs manager Craig Counsell shook his head after Wednesday’s 23-3 win over the San Diego Padres, which saw Swanson produce three home runs and eight RBIs as the No. 9 hitter.“We never have it figured out,” Counsell said with a chuckle. “We never have baseball figured out. This tells you that. He probably went through the roughest patch of his career. And on the other side of it is the best stretch of his career. You figure it out. I don’t think Dansby could explain it to you, either.”