And Cub Swanson has been through it – 42 professional fights, 14 hand fractures, plates in his wrists and, wildest of all, undergoing reconstructive surgery on his face thanks to an overzealous ...

Cub Swanson and Joel Diaz, shown here training together in 2022, have worked together for 20 years. “He has a family, three beautiful kids, a wife,” Diaz said.

Swanson’s grandfather died on Dec. 11, one day after Swanson and Pugh’s wedding ceremony. The shortstop admitted he “felt called to” move to Chicago to fulfill his grandfather’s dreams.

Once you’ve fully understood the unlikely success story that is Cub Swanson, you would probably think it’s destined for the big screen. And you’d be wrong. From birth to present day, the ...