Full Inteview: Former Atlanta Braves OF Todd Cunningham (Part 1)

Below is Part 1 of an interview with now former Atlanta Braves outfielder Todd Cunnignham. Continue on to Part 2 of the interview here.

[It’s lightly edited for length and clarity. When you finish here, you can also read a full screen-shots only version of our chat over at Modern Pastime]

Todd Cunningham recently left the Braves organization, having been claimed off of waivers by the Angels. I don’t know Todd the person, so I’m an odd fit to wish him farewell on behalf of the Braves faithful. I find myself in that position though, and I feel fortunate to have snuck in a parting conversation with a ballplayer that I’ve always pulled for in an underdog kind of way; we don’t often get to hear from players in Todd’s position before they zoom off towards whatever horizon.

Todd proved to be a very thoughtful and introspective fellow. Our conversation stemmed from a bad joke I made on Twitter about a good watercolor painting he had done and posted on Instagram. Typical ballplayer stuff. Here’s a quick rap sheet on the man before I share our conversation together:

• Played HS and College ball in Jacksonville Alabama, at Jacksonville HS and Jacksonville State University.
• Ohio Valley Conference Freshman of the year in 2008.
• Won the Cape Cod League Batting Championship and Top Prospect honors in 2009
• Drafted by the Braves in 2010, 2^nd round, 53^rd
• Rated by Baseball America as Best Defensive Outfielder, Best Hitter for Average, and Best Plate Discipline in the Braves system during 2011 and 2012.
• Ranked as high as #12 in the Braves’ system by Baseball America, that being after the 2012 season.

“my drawl is super mild, I’m always down for an adventure, usually display a chill temperament… so I’m hoping I blend right in seamlessly.”

There were some college academic honors peppered in there too, for those keeping score. Todd had a real shot at breaking camp as the starting Centerfielder for the Braves last year when Melvin Upton came down with a foot injury. But we got Cameron Maybin in a swap for the aforementioned Melvin (were there other players involved in that deal?), and that was that. So it’s been for the ‘Bama native. Now he’s on the waiver claim express off to the west coast and a new opportunity. But don’t worry about Todd, he’s more than up for the new scenery.

Here’s Part 1 of the interview…

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Philip Tapley Jr.: I was laughing to myself when I sat down to put these questions together, because it occurred to me that this conversation originated from a watercolor painting of yours… not exactly what you’re known for. I also noticed with a little research that you were on the conference honor roll a couple seasons while at Jacksonville State University. Does baseball very much represent your personal identity, or do you see yourself as more of a mixed bag?

Todd Cunningham: Baseball has obviously been a big part of my life. It has bounced me all around the east coast, now to the west coast, and even some international stints with winterball. However, I’d be lying through my teeth if I said I was just a baseball player. I have been described by many as “not your typical baseball player.” I have a bit of an eclectic interest base and am always up for an adventure. I hive with a sense of spirituality and express myself with an artistic air when I’m in my quiet place. Now I sound like I’m trying to be some eloquent poet spinning you a romanticized version of me… but don’t get me wrong. I have every intention of living an authentic life. I am who I am of the field that you see on the field. [It’s just that] different contexts reflect my personality differently. Hopefully that’s not to much too soon, haha. 

Yeah losing sucks and no one wants to be on a losing team but professional pride tends to override those thoughts and each guy is just trying to do his part.

PTJ: As a teacher, my Spring Training happens at the end of the summer and mostly involves readjusting to having to pretend like I’m not annoyed in meetings. I bet the real Spring Training is something that you anticipate with much more excitement. Does this year feel different, being that you’re headed to a new club, in a new League no less? Does it help that you’ll have a familiar face in fellow defensive standout Andrelton Simmons over there?

TC: Spring Training is always a fun time. Coming back to the clubhouse atmosphere where guys get to know each other with the bromance of card playing and “kangaroo court” hearings. Coming form a smaller community nestled deep in the south, the offseason is often filled with people being really nice to me and telling me how cool it is to watch me play on TV. While that is definitely awesome to come home to a community so genuinely and whole-heartedly behind me… I start to miss the hard-nosed nature of the guy on the mound wanting nothing more than to win the cat and mouse game of an at bat. A “best man wins” type of atmosphere where the loser is tossed to the side and forgotten. Spring training is always exciting to once again compete. As far as Simmons goes… I’m just glad he’s on my team haha.

PTJ: You’ve spent the better part of your 26 years in Alabama and Georgia, both beautiful places. The West Coast is also beautiful, but certain things are different. Take the tacos, for example. And the tea, and the appalling lack of grits. If this all sounds like too much, let me ease the shock by informing you that Chick-fil-a has recently gotten things going out there. What are you looking forward to the most as a Southern Boy, and what are you most apprehensive about?

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TC: I don’t fit into just a southern boy box either though. I have some southern moments as they are a part of my roots, but most people tell me they would have thought I was from the west coast if they had to guess. My drawl is super mild, I’m always down for an adventure, usually display a chill temperament… so I’m hoping I blend right in seamlessly. I’m probably most excited about the authentic Mexican influence on the food and most apprehensive about cost of living if I was going to be totally transparent.

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Being a part of an organization that is going through the rapid changes of a rebuild must be pretty nuts, particularly as a player on the bubble trying to stick on the active roster. I imagine your experience has been a little different from mine, which mainly consists of scouring MLB Trade Rumors and countless baseball sites in my underwear. Was there a degree to excitement to the whole thing for you and your teammates, or did wondering if you’ll be the next player involved in a trade and seeing familiar faces heading out the door overshadow that?

TC: Honestly there wasn’t ever much talk of a trade except for maybe a midsummer, sun-fried snide remark about hoping to get traded so you can play more. Ha. Mostly guys are just focused on whatever the task at hand is. Yeah losing sucks and no one wants to be on a losing team but professional pride tends to override those thoughts and each guy is just trying to do his part.

We’ll stop here for today. Be sure to swing by Tomahawk Take tomorrow morning for Part 2 of the interview. We’ll talk about what getting claimed on waivers is like, Todd’s views on Sabermetrics, and more… 

[This piece is lightly edited for length and clarity. You can also read a full screen-shots only version of our chat over at Modern Pastime.]

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