David Eckstein is more than a 'scrappy' little player

SAN DIEGO — There is a cartoon character in the Eckstein household, but it's not the scrappy little infielder.

It's his wife. She wields a green lightsaber, trains under Anakin Skywalker and kisses a two-time World Series champion good night.

Ashley Eckstein commutes to work from San Diego, where her husband, David, plays second base for the Padres. In Hollywood, she's the voice for the Ahsoka Tano character in the "Clone Wars" animated series.

Her character might live forever, at least in reruns. Her husband might not play forever, but he's nine years into his career, well above average for a major leaguer.

That is because he is well above average for a major leaguer. You don't last nearly a decade in the majors on "scrappy" alone, notwithstanding the unwritten rule that every story about David Eckstein must describe him with that adjective.

"Everybody says he's short, he's scrappy, he's a gamer," Padres closer Heath Bell said. "He's a great baseball player. You don't hear that. You just hear he's a scrappy ballplayer."

He's not a franchise player, not even close, but you can win a championship with him. He's the only starting shortstop to play on a World Series winner in each league, for the Angels in 2002 and the St. Louis Cardinals in 2006.

"He does something every night -- whether it's on offense, defense or on the basepaths -- to make the club better," Padres General Manager Kevin Towers said. "There's a reason the guy seems like he's on a winner everywhere he goes."

This year's Padres, a winner? That might be beyond his powers, or his wife's superpowers.

But these Padres might not be destined for oblivion. They already have beaten Tim Lincecum and Brad Lidge, and they're the only one of the Dodgers' National League West rivals with a winning record.

Not bad for a team that lost a one-game wild-card playoff two years ago, lost 99 games last year, kicked franchise icon Trevor Hoffman into free agency and grabbed four pitchers off the scrap heap in the final two weeks of spring training.

"I don't know if we're a 100-win team or a 100-loss team," Towers said.

"But our chemistry is outstanding. From the start of spring training, they were able to put last year in the rearview mirror. I don't think the '08 club ever did."

They have elite players in ace Jake Peavy and first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, a fine No. 2 starter in Chris Young, a terrific closer in Bell.