Springfield cash-ews in on local cuisine

The Springfield Cardinals have always been, in the words of general manager Dan Reiter, a very traditional franchise. The Double-A team had never assumed an alternate identity before, but the tradition was broken this week.

For the first time in the club’s history, they didn't take the field as the Cardinals, instead playing as the Cashew Chickens for three games in an homage to the iconic dish that was born in Springfield, Mo.

“Whenever you go and you meet people in new places, they want to know which Springfield you’re from. Oh, Springfield, Missouri. What’s in Springfield, Missouri? One of those things you would say is, ‘It’s the home of cashew chicken,’” Reiter said. “It’s one of the things you would be proud to tell them.”

The meal was served first in 1963 by David Leong, who moved from China to the United States in 1940 and was looking to recreate a taste of home while appealing to the palettes of those around him. His version of the dish was deep-fried, and the green onions he added were an instant hit.

It’s the dish that was invented in Springfield. Now it takes over the Diamond

For the FIRST TIME EVER see your @Sgf_Cardinals take the field as the Springfield Cashew Chickens

TONIGHT! pic.twitter.com/A5wOzqFJRy pic.twitter.com/PdsbdDHwo9

— Minor League Promos (@MiLBPromos) May 25, 2023

When the club finally decided it was time to create an alternate identity, cashew chicken was the first idea that was brought up. And when coming up with the design, no detail was spared -- the "C"s on the front of the jerseys are cashews, the square design on the side forms a geometric “S” that also can be interpreted as two interlocking "C"s representing both the Cardinals and the Cashew Chickens.

And at the park, cashew chicken has been dominating everything from the scoreboard animations and the concession stands.

“It’s one of the fun parts about Minor League Baseball,” Reiter said. "It's our first go at an alternate identity, so we went all in."

The fan reception made for an extra enticing atmosphere at Hammons Field when the uniforms debuted Thursday. Several fans even came up to Reiter before the game and said they attended specifically because it was the first time they were the Cashew Chickens.

“From the moment this was launched, it’s been something new and fun and exciting,” Reiter said. “For us being such a traditional team, to do this for the first time and know that fans wanted to be a part of it, it made us feel good, like we’re providing the community with something they desire.”

We are honored to have the family of David Leong and entire staff of Leong's Asian Diner join us for our Springfield Cashew Chickens Debut! pic.twitter.com/u54suRV5eV

— Springfield Cashew Chickens (@Sgf_Cardinals) May 26, 2023

The Leongs even reached out to express deep appreciation for celebrating their family’s legacy. David passed away in 2020, but members of his family came and threw out the first pitch Thursday, and the team hosted the entire staff of their family restaurant, Leong's Asian Diner.

"They were just so grateful and we felt the same way,” Reiter said. “We’re grateful that they wanted to be a part of it, because there could not have been a better honor for us in doing this than having that family throw out the first pitch.”