JUPITER, Fla. • When he got back to his iPhone after his first appearance for the club he figures to call home for years to come, Cardinals starter Mike Leake found a text message that said more about his outing than any pitching line could.
“We both understood the importance of fun when you play a sport,” the message read, in part. “I just tried to help you develop the natural talent you had by staying out of your way and letting you express yourself.”
It was signed, “Dad.”
Even from two time zones away, Chris Leake can read his son.