When baseball fans search for Dansby Swanson’s wife, they are looking for more than just the name of the Chicago Cubs shortstop’s partner. Swanson is married to Mallory Swanson, one of the most recognizable players in U.S. women’s soccer.
The couple’s relationship began with a blind date in 2017. Five years later, they became husband and wife, bringing together two athletes who had already built impressive careers in professional sports. Their marriage has also meant navigating the demands of two busy schedules, including periods when they lived in different cities.
Mallory, who was born Mallory Pugh, has represented the United States at the highest level of international soccer. Dansby, meanwhile, became a Major League Baseball star after being selected first overall in the 2015 MLB Draft.
The couple eventually made Chicago their shared home. Dansby joined the Chicago Cubs in December 2022, shortly after the pair got married. The move was especially meaningful because it allowed them to spend more time together after years of maintaining a long-distance relationship.
Who is Dansby Swanson’s wife?
Mallory Swanson is Dansby Swanson’s wife. She is a professional soccer player who has represented the United States women’s national team and competed at major international tournaments.
Before becoming known as Mallory Swanson, she was widely recognized as Mallory Pugh. Her soccer career started at an unusually young age. She received a call-up to the U.S. women’s national team when she was just 17.
In 2016, she made her first appearance for the senior national team and scored her first international goal against the Republic of Ireland. That same year, she made history at the Olympics by becoming the youngest player to score a goal in the Olympic competition at age 18.
Her early success continued. Mallory eventually won a World Cup with the U.S. women’s national team at the age of 21.
Her career has included both major achievements and difficult setbacks, including a serious knee injury in 2023. She later recovered and returned in time for the 2024 Paris Olympics, where the U.S. team won the gold medal.
How did Dansby Swanson and Mallory meet?
Dansby and Mallory’s relationship began in 2017, after they were introduced by someone they both knew.
Dansby’s former Atlanta Braves teammate Jace Peterson played an important role in bringing the two together. Peterson encouraged Dansby to meet his sister-in-law, Mallory Pugh.
The introduction eventually turned into a relationship.
Although the couple started dating in 2017, they did not immediately make their romance public on social media. They waited until December 2018 to become Instagram official.
Mallory shared a photo of the pair dressed up together and added a simple black heart as the caption. Dansby followed with another picture of the couple during the holiday season, showing them together in front of a Christmas tree.
Their relationship continued to grow while both pursued demanding professional careers.
Dansby and Mallory had a long-distance relationship
One of the more significant parts of their relationship was the time they spent living in different cities.
Dansby was playing professional baseball while Mallory’s soccer career required her to travel and spend time in different locations. The couple had to make their relationship work despite their demanding schedules.
In 2022, Dansby explained that being apart had sometimes been difficult. Mallory had spent time in different locations, including Washington, D.C., New Jersey and Chicago, while Dansby was based elsewhere because of his baseball career.
Their situation changed after Dansby signed with the Chicago Cubs.
The move meant he could finally live in the same city as his wife. During a Cubs press conference, Dansby spoke about how meaningful it was to be together after spending years apart.
He described finally being in the same city as a major blessing for their marriage.
By that point, the couple had already spent several years learning how to balance their careers and relationship from a distance.
When did Dansby Swanson propose?
Dansby proposed to Mallory in December 2021, after four years together.
The proposal took place at the front stoop of their home. Dansby announced their engagement on Instagram on Dec. 2, 2021, sharing the news that the couple would soon become husband and wife.
Mallory also posted about the engagement and showed off her diamond ring.
Her message focused on their future together, while Dansby’s announcement celebrated the beginning of their next chapter as a married couple.
They spent roughly a year engaged before walking down the aisle.
When did Dansby Swanson and Mallory get married?
Dansby Swanson and Mallory Swanson got married on Dec. 10, 2022.
The couple exchanged vows at the Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee, in Greensboro, Georgia.
Their wedding was described as an “enchanted forest” ceremony, with family and friends there to celebrate the couple.
Mallory wore a custom Anne Barge wedding gown. She also gave her bridesmaids Air Force Ones as gifts. After the ceremony, the newlyweds changed into custom Nike shoes for the reception.
The couple have also spoken publicly about the importance of their faith. Following their wedding, Mallory shared photos from the ceremony and referenced Matthew 19:6, a Bible verse about marriage.
For Dansby and Mallory, the wedding was not simply the conclusion of their engagement. It marked the beginning of married life while both continued competing at the highest levels of their respective sports.
Dansby became a big soccer fan because of Mallory
Baseball has always been a major part of Dansby’s life, but his relationship with Mallory introduced him to soccer in a much deeper way.
Dansby has said that he watches Mallory’s matches closely. When he cannot attend her games in person, he follows them on television.
He has also made an effort to understand the sport so that he can talk with Mallory about her performances afterward.
During an interview with the Chicago Cubs, Dansby explained that he tries to stay focused while watching his wife play. He also acknowledged that he had learned a lot about soccer through her career.
His interest is another example of how the couple’s professional lives have become connected. They may compete in completely different sports, but each has taken an interest in understanding what the other does.
Mallory supported Dansby during his baseball career
The support has gone both ways.
Mallory has been present for important moments in Dansby’s baseball career, including his 2021 World Series run with the Atlanta Braves.
Dansby helped the Braves win the World Series that year. During the postseason, he delivered some memorable moments, including a game-tying home run during Game 4 of the World Series.
After the Braves won the National League title, Mallory celebrated her boyfriend’s achievement online. She even posted a photoshopped image that made it look as though she had been there for the celebration.
She was present for the eventual World Series championship and shared a photograph of herself with Dansby and the Commissioner’s Trophy.
The moment highlighted how closely the couple had supported each other’s careers even before they were married.
Mallory’s injury brought them closer
In April 2023, Mallory experienced one of the most difficult moments of her soccer career.
During a U.S. women’s national team match against Ireland, she suffered a torn patella tendon in her left knee. The injury required emergency surgery and kept her out for an extended period.
Dansby was playing for the Cubs at the time. After learning about his wife’s injury, he left the game early so he could be with her.
He later spoke about how difficult the situation was and said he was glad they could be together during that moment.
The injury was particularly painful because Mallory had been expected to be part of the United States squad for the 2023 Women’s World Cup. Instead, her recovery kept her away from the tournament.
She eventually returned to the field and made her comeback in time for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Her return ended on a high note, as the United States won the Olympic gold medal.
Dansby and Mallory are expecting their first child
In May 2025, Dansby and Mallory announced that they were expecting their first child together.
Mallory shared the pregnancy news on Instagram, posting photographs of the couple with sonogram images. She described the baby as their “greatest blessing.”
The announcement added another major chapter to their relationship after years of dating, engagement and marriage.
Their journey has already taken them through two professional sports careers, a long-distance relationship, an engagement, a wedding and a major move to Chicago.
Now, the couple are preparing for life as parents while continuing their careers.
Their life together in Chicago
Dansby’s move to Chicago has been particularly important to the couple because it brought their professional lives closer together.
On Dec. 17, 2022, the Chicago Cubs agreed to a seven-year, $177 million contract with Dansby. The deal came only days after his wedding to Mallory.
For the first time in their relationship, the couple could build their everyday life in the same city while both continued pursuing professional sports.
Dansby has spoken about how much that change meant to him. After spending years dealing with long-distance challenges, he was excited about being able to experience married life alongside Mallory.
Their Chicago chapter has therefore been about more than baseball. It has given the couple the opportunity to support one another while building a home and family together.
What makes Dansby Swanson and Mallory Swanson’s relationship notable?
Both Dansby and Mallory understand what it takes to compete professionally.
Dansby reached Major League Baseball after being selected first overall in the 2015 MLB Draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was later traded to the Atlanta Braves, his hometown team, and made his MLB debut in 2016.
Mallory reached the U.S. women’s national team at just 17 and became an international star at a remarkably young age.
Their relationship has therefore involved two people who understand the pressure, travel and uncertainty that come with professional sports.
They have also had to deal with setbacks together. Mallory’s 2023 injury was one of the toughest examples, with Dansby choosing to be by her side during her surgery and recovery.
At the same time, they have celebrated major successes together, including Dansby’s World Series championship with Atlanta and Mallory’s Olympic gold medal with the United States.
For fans searching for Dansby Swanson’s wife, Mallory Swanson’s own career is an important part of the story. She is not simply known as the wife of an MLB player. She has built a major soccer career of her own and has represented the United States on some of the biggest stages in the sport.