The time of year has rolled around once again as the St. Louis Cardinals hosted their annual Radio Affiliate Days at Busch Stadium.
The Cardinals Radio Network has long served as one of the backbones of a franchise rich in tradition and history. Stretching across more than 160 affiliate stations in nine states, the network continues to connect Cardinals baseball with fans throughout the Midwest and beyond.
Representatives from stations across the Cardinals Radio Network were treated to two days of baseball this year as the Cardinals welcomed the Pittsburgh Pirates to St. Louis. Unfortunately the Cardinals could not come away with wins on the field. The event was a successful celebration of the network’s affiliates.
On Wednesday, affiliate representatives enjoyed accommodations in the 703 Club — an all-inclusive area located in left field at Busch Stadium. The section formerly housed the Bow Tie Bar before being transformed several years ago into the 703 Club, named in honor of Cardinals legend Albert Pujols and his 703 career home runs.
Representing your local Cardinals affiliate 98.9 The Game WHQQ were Travis Sparks, Bob and Jacob Shields.
Wednesday evening also featured a special Q&A session with members of the Cardinals front office and broadcast team, including new to this year President of Baseball Operations Chaim Bloom, Cardinals radio play-by-play voice John Rooney, now in his 21st season on Cardinals radio and 55th overall in broadcasting, alongside longtime broadcaster and former Cardinal Ricky Horton, who is in his 28th season covering the Cardinals on radio and television. Spanish-language broadcasters Polo Ascencio and Bengie Molina also joined the discussion.
Mr. Bloom did take questions from the crowd and was asked about the Cardinals’ winning success, something many may not have expected during what some considered a “rebuild.” He was asked how the club’s success could potentially create a “problem” when the trade deadline approaches in a couple of months. Bloom assured fans that the Cardinals’ winning does not create a problem and does not conflict with the long-term vision for the club.
“For me, as someone who came to this organization from an outsider, when the Cardinals win consistently, they’re always an organization that we win with our young players. And yes, we do things in the free agent market with trades to bring in veterans and build around them, but we win with our young players.
“I want to be very, very clear, regardless of where we are. I’ve said this in the fall as well, but this is something where we have to think long-term. We have to think about this as a multi-year project. I want to be really clear about this, that winning is never a problem.
“And there was never any part of this at any point where we were conceding anything or not trying or wanting to win. That is always the goal.
“Hopefully, as it has so far, that can coexist with doing the right things to build this the right way so that it can last.
“When you have that long-term focus and you’re in a hunt, it’s a different set of decisions. But if we’re fortunate enough to still be there in a couple months when it gets to deadline time, it is a different set of decision, it might make the decisions some ways a little harder, maybe less straightforward.
“But look, that’s the challenge we like in the front office.
“‘Hopefully that’s where we make our money, right?’
“So that’s not a problem. The way this team is constructed, we’re continuing to win. That means things are happening that hopefully will be good for that long-term project. That a lot of the progress is not going to be made by people who are just passing through, it’s going to be made by people who are going to be here and build this and win this with us.”
The Cardinals also highlighted the continued growth of their Spanish-language broadcasts. The team’s flagship Spanish radio station, WIJR 880 AM La Tremenda, will once again carry all Cardinals home games throughout the 2026 regular season across the club’s Spanish Radio Network.
Ascencio and Molina are now entering their 11th season together in the broadcast booth, helping bring Cardinals baseball to Spanish-speaking fans across the region.
All 81 home broadcasts will air locally on WIJR 880 AM, across nine Cardinals Spanish Radio Network affiliates, SiriusXM Radio, the MLB app, and the La Tremenda 880 app.
Meanwhile, KMOX enters its 16th consecutive season as the Cardinals’ flagship station — and its 69th overall season with the franchise — while also celebrating the centennial anniversary of the station’s founding in St. Louis. Some local affiliates were lucky enough to tour the radio booth during the middle of the game, which was a treat and highlight for your local representatives.
Local radio affiliates continue to play an important role in connecting communities with Cardinals baseball. From small-town stations throughout Illinois, Missouri, Indiana, Kentucky, Arkansas, and beyond, affiliates help bring the tradition and passion of Cardinals baseball to listeners every single day. Whether fans are listening from the farm, the ballfield, the car radio, or at home with family, the Cardinals Radio Network continues to unite generations of fans through the voices and stories that have long made Cardinals baseball a staple across the Midwest.
Another radio affiliate day in the books enjoy some photos from our crews adventures
John Rooney calling Thursday game from the radio booth
Spectacular view from the radio booth
Jacob and Bob in the booth
Travis turn in the booth. Unfortunately they did not let us on the air lol!
Radio booth is officially dedicated for the late great Cardinal legend Mike Shannon
A collection of memorabilia for another Cardinals legend Jack Buck
Wednesday Master Of Ceremonies Mike Claiborne
President of Baseball Operations Chaim Bloom
John Rooney & Bengie Molina
Ricky Horton
Polo Ascencio
Jacob and Bob with John Rooney
Bob and Jacob catching up with some personalities on the TV side as well. Here they are with Mark Sweeney
Here Jacob and Bob are with TV host Dani Wexelman
And what would a present day Cardinal game be without the sensation that is sweeping baseball all over America the “Tarps Off” Section. This section brings the energy all game long no matter the score
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