KMOX, which in its previous era as the team's flagship radio station would not bump Rush Limbaugh's political talk show and other programming in favor of Cards spring training weekday afternoon contests, will carry the full schedule of Redbirds games that are broadcast this spring — including those on the formerly forbidden weekday afternoons.

Those daytime games long have been available to Cardinal Radio Network affiliates, which number 117 this season, and KTRS (550 AM) carried them while it had its recent stint as the team's local radio home. But when KMOX had the rights it would air day games on weekends but confine weekday afternoon contests to an evening highlights package.

Pre-empting Limbaugh for exhibitions "never would have happened before,'' said Ron Jacober, a member of KMOX's sports department for nearly 24 years. "It was unheard of.''

But it also was unheard for five decades for the Cards to leave KMOX, and things are much different now. Part of the deal to return includes the provision that the exhibition games air live.

"Rush fans can still get him online, at KMOX.com,'' said John Sheehan, who runs 1120 and CBS Radio's other local outlets (KEZK 102.5 FM and KYKY 98 FM). "They won't miss anything.''

The Cards won't be on every day — all practice games are not broadcast. This spring coverage is planned for 17 of the 29 days the Cards play, including each Saturday and Sunday. Two weekday afternoon games will air each week on varying days, with Tuesdays the most common — three are set for that day of the week.

KMOX also broadcasts the Blues, and there are two times on the spring schedule that they and the Cards are airing at the same time — March 5 and March 29.

On March 5, KMOX will air the hockey game live, at noon, and follow that with a tape of the Cardinals broadcast. On March 29 both play at night and in an interesting twist the Cardinals will be sent back to KTRS with the Blues on KMOX. (Don't expect any such moves during the regular season — the limited reach of KTRS' signal was a key factor in the Cards' move back to KMOX.)

Once the baseball regular season begins, there are several Cards-Blues conflicts in early April as the hockey season winds down. Sheehan said the Cards will take priority at KMOX, and it has not been determined where the Blues will end up. KYKY seems like a logical destination, given that the Blues have been sent there before. Sheehan also said it remains to be determined what will happen with Missouri basketball conflicts in March.

There also will be nine games televised, five by Fox Sports Midwest. Th