There is something about the static. If you grew up in the Midwest, you know the sound of a summer night is basically just crickets and the low hum of a distant AM radio station. For millions of people, that hum is 1120 KMOX. Listening to the St Louis Cardinals on the radio isn't just a way to follow a box score; it is a ritual that has survived the rise of television, the internet, and now the AI era.
Honestly, it shouldn't work. We live in a world of 4K streaming and instant highlights on our phones. Yet, every April, people still scramble to find their old transistor radios or navigate the digital hurdles of MLB’s blackout rules just to hear the crack of the bat. Why? Because Cardinals radio is the heartbeat of St. Louis.
The Big Red Signal: KMOX 1120 and the 2026 Season
If you’re trying to find the game right now, the primary home remains KMOX 1120 AM. But there’s a new twist as we head into the 2026 season. KMOX is now simulcasting on 104.1 FM. This is a massive deal for fans who struggle with the interference of AM signals in modern cars or downtown buildings.
The "Voice of St. Louis" has a reach that is frankly ridiculous. On a clear night, that 50,000-watt clear-channel signal can bounce off the ionosphere and reach listeners in over 30 states. I’ve heard stories of fans in the mountains of Colorado or the marshes of Florida catching the game. It’s a literal lifeline for the "Cardinals Nation."
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The 2026 Cardinals Radio Network
It isn't just KMOX. The network is actually the second-largest in Major League Baseball. We're talking about roughly 146 stations across eight different states.
- Missouri: From Springfield to the Bootheel.
- Illinois: Covering the southern half of the state and up toward Peoria.
- Arkansas & Oklahoma: Deep footprints in the South.
- Tennessee, Kentucky, Iowa, and Indiana: Bits and pieces of the surrounding region.
If you are driving through the middle of nowhere, just keep scanning the dial. You'll eventually find a station playing that familiar theme music.
Who is in the Booth? Meet the Voices of 2026
The lineup for 2026 feels like a comfortable pair of shoes. John Rooney is entering his 21st year calling games for the Cardinals, and honestly, the man is a treasure. He’s been nominated for the Ford C. Frick Award at the Hall of Fame this year, and it’s well-deserved. His "That's a winner!" call has become the modern standard, a perfect tribute to the late Jack Buck.
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Rooney is usually paired with Ricky Horton. Rick is a former southpaw who pitched for the Birds in the '80s, and he brings that "inside the clubhouse" energy. He doesn't just tell you a slider was outside; he tells you why the pitcher missed his spot based on his grip. It’s nuanced without being boring.
The Full Broadcaster Roster
- John Rooney: Lead play-by-play (entering his 55th year in broadcasting).
- Rick Horton: Color analyst and secondary play-by-play.
- Mike Claiborne: The ultimate utility man who handles pre-game, post-game, and middle innings.
- Polo Ascencio: Calling the action for the Spanish-language broadcast (CRONICA).
We still feel the absence of Mike Shannon. He passed away in 2023, and the booth just feels a little quieter without his "get up, baby!" home run calls and his legendary "Shannonisms." But the current crew does a great job of keeping that storytelling tradition alive. They don't just call the play; they tell you what the weather is like on the Gateway Arch and what the vibe is in the bleachers.
How to Stream St Louis Cardinals on the Radio (Legally)
This is where people usually get frustrated. You try to go to the KMOX website or the Audacy app, and when the game starts, it switches to a talk show or generic music. Why? Blackouts. Major League Baseball owns the digital rights to the radio feed. If you want to listen to the St Louis Cardinals on the radio through your phone or computer, you basically have two options.
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- MLB At Bat: This is the gold standard. For a few bucks a month (usually around $29.99 for the whole season in 2026), you get every single radio broadcast for every team with no blackouts. It’s the easiest way to listen if you’re out of market.
- The Audacy App (Local Only): Thanks to a multi-year extension signed in 2025, local fans in the St. Louis market can often stream the KMOX feed through the Audacy app, but this is geo-fenced. If you travel outside the region, it’ll cut you off.
The Secret "Free" Way
Look, I’m not saying you should do anything shady. But if you have a physical radio—like a real, battery-operated one—the signal is free. There are no subscriptions for the airwaves. If you live within 100 miles of St. Louis, buy a $15 radio from a hardware store. It will work during power outages, it won't lag behind the live action like a stream does, and you’ll never have to worry about a "connection lost" screen.
Why We Still Listen
Most people think radio is dying. They’re wrong. Baseball is the only sport that was built for the radio. The pace of the game—the long pauses, the dirt being kicked off cleats, the pitcher shaking off a sign—leaves room for the broadcaster to paint a picture.
When John Rooney describes the shadow creeping across the infield at Busch Stadium, you aren't just hearing a game. You're experiencing a story. That's why the St Louis Cardinals on the radio remains a staple. It’s the sound of summer. It’s the sound of home.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
- Check Your Hardware: If you want to avoid streaming lag, find an AM/FM radio and test the 104.1 FM signal in your area.
- Update Your Apps: If you rely on digital, make sure your Audacy or MLB At Bat subscriptions are active before Opening Day.
- Sync the Audio: If you hate the TV announcers, try to sync your radio feed with the TV broadcast. It’s tricky because of the delay, but using a DVR to pause the TV for a few seconds can help you line up Rooney's voice with the live action.
- Follow the Schedule: The Cardinals Radio Network carries all 162 regular-season games, plus select Spring Training matchups from Jupiter.
Stay tuned to 1120 AM or 104.1 FM for the "Red Bird Rush Hour" at 5:00 pm on weeknights to get the latest injury updates and roster moves before the first pitch.