David Leong, a Chinese immigrant who came to the U.S. in 1940, created what would become Springfield’s signature dish, cashew chicken: chunks of fried chicken smothered in a special gravy fusion sauce, topped with cashew nuts and green onions, served over rice.

First served at Leong’s Tea House in 1963, this flavorful, affordable meal quickly became a community favorite. By the 1970s, hundreds of local restaurants had adopted the dish.

From serving his country during World War II to serving up plates at the bustling 350-seat Leong’s Tea House, David Leong became a Springfield legend. His vision built more than just a restaurant — it created a culinary tradition that locals embrace as part of their identity.

For years, the concept of an alternate identity floated through the Springfield Cardinals Front Office. In 2022, the idea began to take shape, as logo, jersey and hat design concepts were created. The original logo design pays homage to the classic Chinese-American takeout box, with two red cashew silhouettes coming together to create a new Springfield "S". The red and black colorway mimic the familiar Cardinals look, but prioritize a stronger contrast. Each season, the Cashew Chickens on field jersey set changes to keep fans coming back for more, just like the dish that inspired it all.