Sports on a Sunday Morning

In Hour 1 Tom Ackerman opens from Bloomington and talks with Bernie Miklasz about the surprising rise of programs like Indiana and Vanderbilt, Missouri’s playoff chances, and the changing college football landscape. He then talks with Don Fischer from inside Assembly Hall as Fischer reflects on his 53 year career and weighs in on Curt Cignetti, NIL, the transfer portal, and new basketball coach Darian DeVries. The hour closes with Chaim Bloom on the Dodgers sweep of the Brewers, Shohei Ohtani’s dominance, the playoff outlook for Toronto and Seattle, the state of Cardinals pitching, Iván Herrera’s return to catching, and the possibility of players joining the next World Baseball Classic.

Tom Ackerman checks in from Bloomington and talks with Chaim Bloom about the Dodgers sweep of the Brewers and Shohei Ohtani’s continued dominance. They look at the playoff chances of the Blue Jays and Mariners before diving deep into the Cardinals pitching pipeline. Bloom gives an update on Iván Herrera’s elbow procedure and his plan to move back to catching full time. They touch on current injuries, the World Baseball Classic, and finish with a brief note on Yadier Molina’s interest in a future on the coaching or management side.

Tom Ackerman talks with Don Fischer, the legendary voice of Indiana Hoosiers athletics, live from Assembly Hall in Bloomington. Fischer reflects on his 53 year career and shares why he believes Curt Cignettii is building the right way. They discuss the rise of NIL and the transfer portal and credit Indiana athletic director Scott Dolson for adapting early. Fisher also praises new basketball coach Darian DeVries for quickly molding his new roster. The segment closes with Ackerman thanking Fisher for his decades of storytelling and impact on college sports broadcasting.

Tom Ackerman and Bernie Miklasz break down the rise of mid-tier college football teams like Indiana and Vanderbilt and what their consistency means for the sport. They debate Missouri’s playoff path after the Auburn win and whether their inconsistent passing game and quarterback play will derail hopes against upcoming road opponents. On the baseball side, Bernie says the Cardinals need a true power hitter and lays out possible avenues through trades or drafting. The conversation wraps with thoughts on the future of Yadier Molina

Ackerman opens with Bernie Miklasz, breaking down Indiana’s statement win over Oregon and Coach Curt Cignetti’s transformation of the program. They debate SEC vs. Big Ten power dynamics, assess Missouri’s close loss to Alabama, and discuss the Milwaukee Brewers’ NLCS run along with national media bias in college football. Next, Mike Claiborne joins to react to Missouri’s 27-24 loss to Alabama, focusing on penalties, missed opportunities, and the energy at Faurot Field. They highlight the Milwaukee Brewers’ strong fundamentals, the Seattle Mariners’ pitching, and Chaim Bloom’s early leadership with the St. Louis Cardinals, noting his strategic, unbiased approach to reshaping the roster. Ackerman then talks with Lindenwood head coach Jed Stugart, who discusses the Lions’ 30-14 win over Tennessee Martin, improving to 3-3 overall and 2-0 in conference play. Stugart previews their next matchup against Tennessee Tech on October 18, calling it a “golden opportunity” for the program. He outlines his coaching philosophy centered on consistency, confidence, and clear communication with his young team. Finally, Jim Thomas joins to talk about his new book, “Blues: A Current History,” published by Triumph Books. He shares details about a book signing and fundraiser on October 25 in support of a cancer patient in Waterloo, Illinois, and additional events at Blues home games benefiting Blues for Kids. Thomas and Ackerman also discuss the St. Louis Blues’ win over Calgary, the potential of Jake Neighbours as a future captain, and how the transfer portal is changing college football coaching. The show closes with Chaim Bloom’s first extended interview as President of Baseball Operations for the St. Louis Cardinals. Bloom talks about his transition from advisor to executive, his partnership with John Mozeliak, and his mission to evolve the Cardinal Way through innovation and development. He reflects on his family’s influence, his passion for the game, and his vision to restore fan confidence and set a new standard for success in St. Louis baseball.

In his first show as President of Baseball Operations, Chaim Bloom joins Tom Ackerman to discuss his transition into the role and the unique succession plan following John Mozeliak’s tenure. Bloom shares his philosophy on evolving the “Cardinal Way” through innovation, player development, and organizational growth. He emphasizes the importance of keeping the franchise forward-thinking while maintaining its tradition of excellence. Bloom also reflects on his commitment to St. Louis fans, highlighting the city’s deep baseball passion and his goal to rebuild trust through performance and consistency. With experience from competitive markets like Boston, Bloom brings a disciplined, family-oriented approach to leadership, supported by his wife and three children who share his love for the game.

Tom Ackerman talks with Jim Thomas, longtime St. Louis Post-Dispatch writer, about his new book “Blues: A Current History,” published by Triumph Books. The book captures the modern era and legacy of the St. Louis Blues franchise. Thomas shares details about a book signing and fundraiser on October 25, with half the proceeds benefiting a cancer patient in Waterloo, Illinois, and additional signings at Blues home games to support Blues for Kids. Ackerman and Thomas also discuss the Blues’ recent win over the Calgary Flames, the emergence of Jake Neighbours as a future team leader, and reflections on how the transfer portal continues to shape college football coaching.

Tom Ackerman talks with Lindenwood head coach Jed Stugart about the team’s recent 30-14 win over Tennessee Martin, improving their record to 3-3 overall and 2-0 in conference play. Stugart reflects on how the team bounced back after a tough loss to Miami of Ohio and previews their upcoming matchup against Tennessee Tech on October 18, a team currently ranked 7th nationally. He calls it a “golden opportunity” for the Lions to showcase their growth. Stugart also discusses his young roster’s focus on consistency, confidence, and honest preparation

Tom Ackerman and Mike Claiborne break down the Missouri Tigers’ 27-24 loss to Alabama, pointing to costly penalties and missed opportunities in the run game. They highlight the energetic atmosphere at Faurot Field and the impressive progress of the stadium’s construction. Shifting to baseball, they praise the Milwaukee Brewers’ strong fundamentals and pitching, projecting a tight playoff battle. The duo also discuss the Seattle Mariners’ small-ball style and pitching depth as key strengths against the Toronto Blue Jays. Wrapping up, they examine Chaim Bloom’s leadership of the St. Louis Cardinals, noting his calculated, objective approach and willingness to make tough roster decisions without bias toward existing players

On Sports on a Sunday Morning, Tom Ackerman talks with Bernie Miklasz about Indiana’s statement win over Oregon, highlighting how head coach Curt Cignetti has energized the Hoosiers with toughness and defense. They discuss the SEC vs. Big Ten narrative, arguing the Big Ten has the deeper lineup of elite programs this season. The conversation shifts to the Missouri Tigers, who battled Alabama closely despite offensive struggles and a limited downfield passing game. The segment closes with analysis of the Milwaukee Brewers’ run in the NLCS and criticism of national media bias favoring traditional college football powerhouses.

The show opens with Cardinals talk, as Tom takes calls from fans reacting to Chaim Bloom’s hiring and the decision to retain manager Oliver Marmol. Fans share their frustrations and hopes for the team’s future, while Tom breaks down the challenges of rebuilding a contender. From there, Tom turns to Hollywood, speaking with William H. Macy at the St. Louis premiere of “Soul on Fire” — a film honoring Jack Buck’s compassion and John O’Leary’s remarkable survival story. Macy discusses portraying Buck, filming around St. Louis landmarks, and the emotional response to the story. Hockey takes center stage next. Blues Head Coach Jim Montgomery joins to discuss the team’s preseason matchup with the Chicago Blackhawks, the progress of young players, and the goaltending tandem of Jordan Binnington and Joel Hofer. Then, Lindenwood Head Coach Keith Fisher recaps the Lions’ opener against Wisconsin, outlines areas for growth, previews games against Lake Superior State and Denver, and talks about the rapid growth of hockey in St. Louis. Hour 2 kicks off with NFL picks, as Tom previews the biggest games of the day and offers his predictions for key matchups. The focus then shifts back to the St. Louis community when Jim Brennan joins to celebrate the Dance for Dravet fundraiser, which drew more than 500 attendees and raised over $900,000 to support research for Dravet syndrome, a rare form of epilepsy. Next, John Rooney, the voice of the Cardinals, sits down with Chaim Bloom, the team’s new President of Baseball Operations, who shares his vision for creating a winning culture from 1 to 6 PM. Bloom discusses balancing player development and competitiveness, praises the work ethic across the organization, and highlights his strong relationship with manager Oliver Marmol. The show wraps with Bernie Miklasz, who joins Tom to discuss Cardinals fan expectations, the team’s remarkable consistency under Bill DeWitt’s ownership — with 17 postseason appearances in 30 years — and Bloom’s long-term plan focused on drafting and developing talent, especially starting pitchers.

Tom Ackerman kicks off Hour 2 with his NFL picks, breaking down key matchups and sharing insights heading into Sunday’s games. Then, Jim Brennan joins to celebrate the success of the Dance for Dravet fundraiser, which raised more than $900,000 to support research for Dravet syndrome, a rare form of epilepsy. Next, John Rooney, the voice of the Cardinals, sits down with Chaim Bloom, the team’s new President of Baseball Operations, to discuss balancing winning and player development, the importance of a winning culture from 1 to 6 PM, and Bloom’s growing partnership with manager Oliver Marmol. The hour wraps with Bernie Miklasz, who joins Tom to reflect on fan sentiment, the Cardinals’ strong track record under Bill DeWitt, and how Chaim Bloom’s draft-and-development philosophy could shape the team’s future success.

Bernie Miklasz joins Tom Ackerman to discuss the state of the St. Louis Cardinals and the passionate reactions from fans following the team’s recent struggles. Bernie acknowledges fans’ frustrations while reminding listeners of the Cardinals’ remarkable consistency over the past 30 years, ranking 5th in regular season winning percentage and leading the National League in postseason victories.

John Rooney, the voice of the Cardinals, talks with Chaim Bloom about his vision for the organization and the balance between winning now and developing talent in the minor leagues. Bloom stresses the importance of creating a winning environment from 1 to 6 PM, where consistent effort and purposeful preparation lead to success. He highlights the key role of minor league managers in shaping winning habits and praises the players’ work ethic and attention to detail.

Tom Ackerman and Jim Brennan recap the Dance for Dravet fundraiser, which brought together more than 500 attendees and raised over $900,000 to support research for Dravet syndrome, a rare form of epilepsy. The event surpassed its goal of raising a cumulative $1 million, driven by the generosity of the St. Louis community. Jim also shared updates from McKelvey Homes, which will donate $1,898 for every home sold in the fourth quarter to the ACA Affordable Housing Fund, now awarding more than $2 million in grants. The conversation wraps with plans for future charitable initiatives and community development projects.

Tom Ackerman opens the show by taking calls from Cardinals fans, giving listeners a platform to react to Chaim Bloom’s hiring and the decision to retain manager Oli Marmol. Fans share their frustrations, hopes, and expectations for the team’s future as Tom breaks down recent performances and the organization’s need for change. The conversation then shifts to Hollywood, where William H. Macy joins Tom from the St. Louis premiere of “Soul on Fire” — a film about Jack Buck’s compassion and John O’Leary’s remarkable recovery. Macy reflects on portraying Buck and filming in St. Louis landmarks like Busch Stadium and the Gateway Arch. Next, Blues Head Coach Jim Montgomery discusses the team’s preseason matchup with the Chicago Blackhawks, roster battles, and the progress of young prospects as the regular season nears. Lindenwood Head Coach Keith Fisher follows with insights on the Lions’ opener against Wisconsin, areas for improvement, and the growth of hockey in the St. Louis community.

Tom Ackerman spotlights St. Louis hockey, starting with comments from Blues Head Coach Jim Montgomery on training camp progress, roster evaluations, and the importance of the goaltending tandem of Jordan Binnington and Joel Hofer. Then, Lindenwood University Head Coach Keith Fisher joins the show to recap the Lions’ season opener against Wisconsin, discuss areas for improvement, and preview upcoming games against Lake Superior State and the University of Denver.

Tom Ackerman talks with William H. Macy about his role as Jack Buck in the new film Soul on Fire, based on the incredible true story of St. Louis native John O’Leary, who survived a life-changing fire and went on to inspire millions. Macy shares what drew him to the project and his admiration for Buck’s compassion and character. The film premiered at Powell Hall, featuring red carpet moments and reflections on St. Louis’s enduring spirit.

In Hour 2, Tom Ackerman breaks down his Week 4 NFL picks with detailed predictions and spreads. NHRA legend Tony Schumacher joins to preview the Midwest Nationals at Worldwide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois, and share insights on racing conditions in Top Fuel drag racing. The conversation shifts to John Mozeliak’s farewell, reflecting on his 18-year tenure with the Cardinals, his major achievements, and the stability he brought to the organization. Ackerman also revisits the Cardinals-Cubs rivalry, debating Oli Marmol’s controversial intentional walk of Michael Bush, and looks ahead to Mozeliak’s final press conference on Monday and Chaim Bloom’s introductory press conference on Tuesday.

Bernie Miklasz joined Tom Ackerman to reflect on John Mozeliak’s 18-year tenure leading the Cardinals front office. He highlighted Mozeliak’s impact on the organization, from maintaining stability after Walt Jocketty’s departure to drafting and developing cornerstone players such as Yadier Molina, and making major acquisitions like Matt Holliday and Nolan Arenado. They discussed managerial hires including Mike Matheny, Mike Shildt, and Oli Marmol, each of whom won division titles, and the recent scrutiny of Marmol’s decision to intentionally walk Michael Bush at Wrigley Field, a move some fans criticized but Miklasz defended as strategically sound.