ST. LOUIS -- Bothered by the recent success that left-handed batters have had against him, Cardinals lefty specialist Randy Choate arrived at the ballpark on Saturday reinvigorated by his teammates, who surprised him with shirts and gifts in celebration of Choate's 40th birthday.
The black T-shirts -- emblazoned with #Holler (his go-to phrase) on the front and '36 is 40' on the back -- were ordered by Choate's wife, Leigh. Teammates purchased a mini Red Bull refrigerator for the occasion, too, and each autographed it for the eldest member of their club.
It was all, Choate said, much-needed levity after what has been a trying period for the reliever.