When Aaron Cunningham emerged from the Cleveland Indians clubhouse prior to Tuesday’s game against the Mariners at Safeco Field, he was surprised to see his dad and sister leaning on the rail next to the Tribe’s dugout.
Chuck and Emily Cunningham — a softball at Bellevue CC — arranged to be part of the Mariners’ grounds crew for Tuesday’s game. Aaron didn’t know anything about it.
It was the second surprise in two days for the South Kitsap grad. Since Monday was an off day, Cunningham headed to his parents’ home in Port Orchard. When he got there, there was a surprise birthday party waiting for him. He turns 26 on April 24.
Cunningham’s the fourth outfielder for the Indians. He’s not getting a lot of time in the early season, and the Indians just signed 38-year-old Johnny Damon. There’s been speculation that Cunningham or former Mariner Jose Lopez, a backup infielder, could be let go when Damon joins the Indians. Cunningham’s take on all of this is pretty interesting. The former Everett CC star, a sixth-round draft pick by the Chicago White Sox, is thankful for being in the big leagues. He’s started one game and has just 9 at bats, but he is not making any excuses.
Look for my story later tonight or read it in the print edition on Wednesday.
