Spring Training is starting to wind down and the 2017 MLB season is on the horizon, meaning that new hope is in abundance with every major league baseball team.
Atlanta Braves’ shortstop Dansby Swanson is a player that is certainly excited about the prospects of the upcoming regular season and his involvement with the “Braves First Class” program, the new stadium and the team’s upcoming season.
On March 27th, Delta launched “Braves First Class,” a month-long program for fans designed to celebrate Atlanta Braves “firsts” that happen in the new stadium. Fans who sign up (registration here) can win prizes based on team ‘firsts’ at SunTrust Park. Braves shortstop and Atlanta native Dansby Swanson will serve as the program’s ambassador, with a variety of engaging content for digital and social channels.
Swanson spoke with me about his involvement with the program.
“Delta is something you associate with Atlanta when you think of Atlanta” he said.
“You think about Coca-Cola, music and entertainment, Delta and you think about Braves Baseball. It’s a neat opportunity to team up with Delta this season on this Braves First Class campaign because when you’re in Atlanta you fly Delta – it’s just what you do – it’s one of the symbols of Atlanta.
So being able to represent that brand is awesome. They have such a good reputation and with Delta, I’m excited to give back to our amazing fans with this exciting new program.”
Delta has permanently also “parked” itself at the Braves’ new home by transporting a 25-foot tail from Delta Ship 624, a retired Boeing 757-200 aircraft, to just outside the main gates of SunTrust Park where it will be a prominent landing spot for fans to gather before and after a game.
Fans will certainly be excited about the new stadium which will bring a renewed energy to the team.
As far as spring training goes, Swanson has been focused on improving.
“We are where we need to be” Swanson said.
“I think that with the veteran guys, they know what they need and what they need to feel in order to have a successful year. I think as camp’s gotten smaller in numbers we’ve been able to bond a little bit more as a team and kind of have a good feel of what our personalities are going to be like together and what our team identity’s going to be. So we’re in a good spot.
Every offseason, my focus is in the weight room – getting stronger because I think that’s what helps you last throughout the year” Swanson continued.
You know, it’s tough being able to play that many games in a year. So, you need to physically and mentally prepare yourself to do so – and that’s something I take pride in.
Baseball-wise, I think it’s being able to be more consistent. Baseball’s a consistency game and being able to do it night-in, night-out is what separates the good ones from the great ones. I’m just learning and trying to develop to be able to do that every night.”
Swanson also discussed his own personal expectations as well as what Braves’ fans can expect from the 2017 season.
“Honestly, it’s to win. I don’t really put goals on what I do. I just want to win” Swanson said.
“Whatever I can do to help us win and succeed, that’s what I’m going to do. It’s a neat feeling especially with the group that we have and the unique opportunity that we’ll be able to have to do some great things in the new stadium.
It’s hard to put a label on what we’ll be (this season), but I know we’re going to take pride in competing night in and night out. With the additions that we made in the off-season, in the starting rotation and in the field, we’ve got a lot of veteran guys that have been able to do it for a long time.
I think that can get overlooked sometimes because the statistics may not be just eye-jumping, but when you can create a team that performs well every night, then you’re definitely going in the right direction.”
There is a lot of excitement and promise for the Braves this season with young players like Swanson looking to take the next step and a new stadium being unveiled.