CARDINALS IN THE CLASSROOM FEATURE 05

READING BETWEEN THE LINES WITH marco gonzales

Should the St. Louis Cardinals challenge for a Central Division steps and doing the right things day-by-day, not only as an title and make a deep run in the playoffs, left-hander Marco athlete but in life, too.” Gonzales will undoubtedly play a role. Another recent read for Gonzales includes “Mind of the Gonzales has been unavailable to pitch since undergoing Athlete” by Dr. Jarrod Spencer. Like “Mind Gym,” the book Tommy John surgery on his throwing elbow nearly a year ago. serves as a guide to self-improvement. However, Gonzales The 2014 St. Louis Cardinals Minor League of the Year didn’t always read books like those. was in Jupiter, Fla. with the team this year. He did not pitch in a game and was optioned to Memphis in mid-March in hopes “When I was younger I was more into sci-fi (and fantasy) — that he would be physically ready in late spring. the ‘Harry Potter’ and ‘Lord of the Rings’ series — that type of thing,” he said. “And ‘Holes’ was probably my favorite The Cardinals drafted Gonzales in 2013 following a successful childhood book, I read it about three times and it was collegiate career at Gonzaga University, where as a first something I always loved reading.” baseman and pitcher he was twice named the Co-Player of the Year in 2011 and 2013 and the Whether he’s reading a book about science fiction, sports League’s 2012 Pitcher of the Year. or self-help, Gonzales points out that reading at any age, especially for younger kids, is crucial. “It shines new In 2014, Gonzales pitched in 31 total games in the Cardinals perspectives,” he said, “and what I mean by that is sometimes organization, spanning the minor leagues and the majors, we get caught up in the way we think and get comfortable in recording an impressive 2.81 , 148 that scenario, but being able to relate to someone else and and a 13-7 record in 1562/3 total . He their thoughts on paper is pretty important.” also made the team’s post season roster that year and won two games in relief in the Division Series against the Dodgers, Of course, reading is part of Gonzales’ every day work- which included the series-clinching victory. life too. Players on all major league teams receive scouting reports on their opponents to prepare for each game. “We A highly rated prospect in the organization, the Fort Collins, obviously see a lot of stat lines, lots of numbers and things Col. native has had several serious injuries. He had a shoulder like that,” said Gonzales, “but most importantly we read about ailment in 2015 and Tommy John elbow surgery in 2016. how guys carry themselves and their character; we try to pick Dealing with injuries and the recovery process might have up on that. There’s a ton of write-ups on everyone, so we are something to do with how Marco spends his spare time. always reading.”

“I read a lot of inspirational books and sports stories,” he said. written by Mike Kern “My favorite book is ‘Mind Gym’ by Gary Mack and David Casstevens. It focuses on the process of taking the right

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