Cunningham? CunningSLAM!

How can you not root for a guy who sold his Lincoln Navigator to Ice-T?

Between Scott Hairston, Will Venable, Tony Gwynn and Chris Denorfia, we have a lot of solid fourth outfielders. Guys who can make the best out of two, three, maybe four starts a week. The problem is: They're who we're counting on to be our everyday guys. We're winning, so it's not a problem yet. But I'd prefer to not wait for that to happen.

And in the middle of talking about this exact dilemma at the game last night, in comes Cunningslam.

For the record, I did utter the words "Grand Slam Cunningham" before he hit the ball to deep CF last night. But, for the record, I usually try to call a HR at every game I go to. So I was bound to get lucky eventually. Oh, and the Padres record at games I go to this year? 11-1. Thanks for asking.

I want Cunningham to stick. He's only 24. Compare that to the previously mentioned outfielder's ages of 30, 27, 27 and 29. Yeah, we're not exactly running out guys who have much room to improve. But I'm strictly talking about the ceiling of baseball players here. TKF Titan Dallas McLaughlin is turning 30 this weekend and has nothing but good days ahead of him. Happy Birthday, Mr. McLaughlin. (You do go by Mr. McLaughlin now, right?)

Now, The Cunster hasn't exactly raked at AAA this year. But has already proven himself in every level of the minor leagues during his stints with the White Sox, Diamondbacks and A's. Yes, he's been traded three times (in deals for Danny Richar, Dan Haren and Kevin Kouzmanoff), but it's 'cause teams clearly like what he's got. Or at least that's what I'm telling myself.

I just want an outfielder who I can expect to see in the outfield everyday. Our mix n' match batch of guys right now might be getting the job done, but it's hard to expect that to last. And seeing that this may be the first year Cunningham sees more than 80 AB's in The Show, maybe this is the year that Cunningslam carves out a role as an everyday player, too.

But at the very least, he's led the Pads to one more W in this I-still-can't-believe-it's-real season.