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The Atlanta Braves may not win a ton of games next season, but Dansby Swanson is going to make that watchable. The Georgia-born shortstop reached the majors late last season, and immediately lived up to his lofty expectations. Though he only played in 38 games, Swanson looks like he’s going to be the centerpiece of the next great Braves club.

Swanson’s performance may have gone under the radar last year due to the Braves’ struggles, but that’s not going to continue. The 22-year-old was recently announced as a brand ambassador for New Era. That honor puts him in the same company as Noah Syndergaard, Jose Altuve, Mookie Betts, Corey Seager and Bryce Harper, to name a few.

If being lumped together with those names is intimidating, Swanson isn’t showing it. He joined the StewPod on Thursday to discuss the new partnership, growing up as a Braves fan and whether being traded to his hometown team puts more pressure on him to perform.

Dansby Swanson is ready to lead the Braves in 2017. (Getty Images/G Fiume) More

Some of the highlights include:

Swanson on playing for his hometown Braves:

“I think every kid, they dream of playing for the team that they grew up watching or rooting for. Those are the ones that you draw that emotional connection with. Watching the team win 14 straight division titles and having the success they’ve had over the years. I want to be a part of that.”

On joining the current crop of superstars at the shortstop position:

“I think it’s great for the game. Whenever you can have a lot of young talent at a certain position, it creates that friendly competition, and it shows you the importance of the position. I think it’s cool that there are so many great shortstops in the game these days that you can learn from.”

On what a successful 2017 looks like to him:

“I think of success a little bit differently. It’s not statistically-based, it’s about growing to be who you believe you were meant to be. It’s about growing in relationships with other people, especially your teammates. It’s about creating those lasting memory. And I think the teams and people who take care of that end up being the most successful.”

After Swanson leaves, Bad News Ramen joins the show. Instead of delivering his usual “Three Strikes,” he takes a look at the entire Hall of Fame ballot. Then, Mike and Chris disagree about Manny Ramirez’s Hall of Fame case. It’s the StewPod’s most contentious episode yet!

Here’s a rundown of the entire show:



Contrary to reports, the StewPod is not moving to L.A. and getting a new logo

Dansby Swanson joins the show to talk about becoming a New Era ambassador, being the face of the franchise for Braves and lots more.

Bad News Ramen offers his take on the ENTIRE Hall of Fame ballot

Mike and Chris debate Manny Ramirez’s HOF case.

More MLB coverage from Yahoo Sports:

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Chris Cwik is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at christophercwik@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik