ATLANTA -- After Dansby Swanson fielded the final out of the 2021 World Series, a chopper from Yuli Gurriel, he briefly glared at Atlanta Braves teammate Ozzie Albies. Seconds earlier, Albies had assured Swanson he would be standing on second base to record Tuesday's 27th out. When he wasn't, Swanson had to pivot to complete the most important throw of his life -- and maybe that was fitting.
Swanson grew up 20 miles from Atlanta and was raised to love the local baseball team. Before he graduated high school, Freddie Freeman ascended to the major leagues and began to establish himself as one of the sport's greatest first basemen.