The Dansby Swanson effect is a real thing for a Cubs team clinging to a playoff

At the beginning of September, as the Chicago Cubs geared up for a potential playoff run, David Ross recalled Dansby Swanson walking by the manager’s office and saying, “Well, no more off days until we clinch.”

“I probably told him that in April, too,” Swanson said.

Confidence and consistency were part of the package when the Cubs signed Swanson to a seven-year, $177 million contract last winter. What sort of looked like a desperation move at that moment — a bad team splurging on a good shortstop after Trea Turner, Xander Bogaerts and Carlos Correa (pending medical reviews) reached agreements elsewhere — has been validated as a landmark deal for an organization on the rise.

This season could still come crashing down on the Cubs. That’s the beauty of playing the biggest game of the year every day for weeks. It’s what Swanson signed up for, not knowing exactly when the Cubs would be a great team, but understanding that his job would encompass more than just what happens on the field.

That give-and-take between Swanson, Ross, president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer and general manager Carter Hawkins is a big part of the creative energy around the Cubs. “Jed walks by around the trade deadline and he’s in his ear,” Ross said, remembering how Swanson lobbied for the front office to keep the team together and add major-league players instead of subtracting Cody Bellinger for prospects.

The back-and-forth in this long-term partnership also means that the Cubs will likely try to curb Swanson’s enthusiasm for playing 162 games next season. There are too many day games at Wrigley Field. Swanson will turn 30 next year. A collapse in the final week of this season would force Ross’ coaching staff and Hoyer’s front office to reevaluate every little decision in the aftermath.

But throughout all the ups and downs in this unpredictable season, you’ve never felt a sense of doom inside the Wrigley Field clubhouse. That calmness is a tribute to catcher Yan Gomes, pitchers such as Justin Steele, Kyle Hendricks and Jameson Taillon, and everyday players like Bellinger, Ian Happ and Nico Hoerner. It all starts, though, with Swanson, who’s not particularly loud or flashy, though he’s always paying attention.

“I love seeing where we started and where we’ve come to,” Swanson said. “What people looked at the Chicago Cubs as (when the season started) versus what they (see) now. To me, there’s a difference in how we go about our business and the expectations and standards that we’ve started to create here. That’s a big deal. If you want sustainable success, you need that part first. I feel like we’ve done a really good job of building on that. Every day we show up, we expect to win. That’s a really important step until you can really thrive at a high level.”

The stakes will be much different for the…