In the second hour of "Sports on a Sunday Morning," host Tom Ackerman covers a wide range of topics in the world of sports. He begins by delving into the greatness of St. Louis football in the 1970s, particularly under the leadership of Coach Don Coryell. Ackerman highlights the team's achievements, turnaround, and legacy, emphasizing how Coryell's coaching style influenced future generations of coaches, like Mike Martz.
Next, Lutz Pfannenstiel, the sporting director of St. Louis City SC, joins the show for an insightful interview. Pfannenstiel shares exciting updates on the team's recent acquisition of Anthony Markanich, a talented left-back from the Midwest. He discusses how Markanich's skill set complements the team's playstyle and their data-driven approach to player recruitment. Pfannenstiel outlines the club's long-term vision for success and previews upcoming fixtures.
Following that, Tom Ackerman is joined by John Mozeliak, the President of Baseball Operations for the St. Louis Cardinals. They discuss the team's strategies leading up to the trade deadline and their plans for the future. Mozeliak explains the importance of acquiring young talent to strengthen the team's system and develop prospects for long-term success. He also addresses the team's pitching needs and prospects' progress, including players like Dakota Hudson, Libertore, and Thompson.
The show then shifts focus to the upcoming Ascension Charity Classic golf tournament at Norwood Hills Country Club. Ackerman shares the excitement surrounding PGA TOUR Champions players like Stewart Cink and Justin Leonard participating in the event. Leonard praises the support of the St. Louis community and reflects on last year's experience.
To wrap the hour, Ackerman also covers recent news, including the United States women's national team's elimination from the World Cup and gymnast Simone Biles' return to competition. Simone Biles, who is married to football player Jonathan Owens with St. Louis connections, is making her comeback at a gymnastics event in Chicago.