Dansby Swanson Gushes Over ‘Queen’ Wife Mallory (Exclusive)

Dansby Swanson and Mallory Swanson are a winning team.

The Chicago Cubs star may have a demanding schedule as an All-Star baseball player, but he makes time spent with his wife — who’s expecting their first baby together — a priority, telling PEOPLE how he manages to do both so effortlessly.

“You just do it, right? That’s your wife, that’s your queen. The one that deserves anything and everything in the world,” the shortstop, 31, tells PEOPLE of Mallory, 27, while promoting his latest partnership with DQ for Miracle Treat Day on July 31.

Swanson credits his solid connection with Mallory as his key to understanding, particular what makes her life “easier” amid her first-time pregnancy journey with their baby.

“We just have such a great relationship with one another obviously, and been just learning things that makes her life a little bit easier right now,” he adds of his wife, who he wed in December 2022.

“Just doing everything I can to be there for her and to do things that she’s not even thinking about,” he says, noting that he strives to get things “ready and done for her” in advance. “Trying to earn all my husband points now,” he says with a laugh.

Swanson makes an effort to put others first, which is why teaming up with DQ for Miracle Treat Day was a natural fit. The day offers fans the opportunity to indulge in the brand’s signature Blizzard Treat while helping raise funs for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

“First of all, Dairy Queen has been a staple in the Swanson family for quite a while. We definitely enjoyed Dairy Queen a lot when I was younger,” he tells PEOPLE. “It was just a really awesome bonding experience, especially with how hot it can get in Georgia during the summers.”

“We would always love making a little Blizzard treat run,” he continues. “With July 31st being Miracle Treat Day… it not only gives you a good excuse to go get some Blizzards, but also to be able to give back where it’s needed.”

For every Blizzard purchased on July 31, $1 or more will be donated to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. As for Swanson’s go-to flavor, he keeps it classic.

“I keep it simple. Every time I go to Dairy Queen, I get a chocolate chip cookie dough Blizzard treat,” he says. “I know a lot of people prefer just the OG vanilla soft serve with the chocolate shell, but as far as it goes for me, it’s chocolate chip cookie dough all day.”

Perhaps, Swanson will continue his family’s tradition of DQ runs when he and Mallory’s little one arrives. But for now, he’s just getting excited about becoming a dad as the arrival date draws near, and it begins to feel more real.

“It does every day a little bit more each and every day as we get closer,” he says, adding, “We’re so grateful for this. We’ve wanted to be a family. We wanted to be parents, and that’s the journey that we’re headed on.”

As for how Mallory is doing amid her pregnancy, Swanson had nothing but positive updates to share.

“She’s doing great,” he says. “She’s been such a rockstar so far and we’re just so freaking thrilled to be a family.”

Swanson also told PEOPLE how expecting his first child has impacted him personally, specifically his game on the field.

“I think it definitely changes your life, obviously, but it changes your perspective,” he tells PEOPLE. “I feel like you can be just a little bit more grateful in each and every moment. Just keeping the main thing that’s our faith and our family.”

“I feel like it’s just allowed me to go play pretty free,” he says, adding, “Understanding that there’s so much to life and that we’re so blessed to do.”