As 2026 rolls in and an odd year rolls out, here are some things I’d like to see happen in St. Louis and on the national sports scene.
May St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker jumpstart his career with his first solid MLB season. He’ll need it if he is going to remain with this team.
May Victor Scott II improve his offensive skills to match his outstanding defensive ability in center field. A big payday could be in his future if he can simply get on base more often.
May Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy lose the scowl he wore on his face during the Gator Bowl, avoid injury next season and be a Heisman Trophy finalist.
May Missouri basketball coach Dennis Gates survive what looks to be a rough season, rebound with one of the nation’s top recruiting classes in 2026-27 and return to the NCAA Tournament.
May St. Louis native and former Notre Dame star Jeremiyah Love somehow fall to the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2026 NFL Draft, giving the Chiefs the running back they desperately need.
May Earl Austin Jr. get a return trip to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament as analyst for the SLU Billikens. It’s been a while, ain’t it, Earl?
May SLU benefactor and big-time NBA fan Richard Chaifetz of Chicago pull off his dream of landing a franchise in St. Louis. Can you say Memphis or New Orleans?
May St. Louis Blues owner Tom Stillman see his team somehow make the NHL playoffs this season. He’s the city’s best team owner and deserves more success.
May our own Jayson Tatum continue his rehab from a ruptured Achilles without setback and not return to the court until he is 100% healthy.
May St. Louis native Bradley Beal figure out a way to stay healthy for the entire 2026-27 NBA season — and then retire.
May St. Louis City SC defender Fallou Fall and the beleaguered MLS franchise find success after a pair of dismal seasons in which the team failed to make the playoffs.
May Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams avoid the injury bug, continue to mature and grow into an NFL All-Pro player.
May Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes avoid rushing back from his knee injury, return in October and lead his team to the playoffs.
May Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice serve his 30 days for reckless driving, settle his lawsuits and return in 2026 as a new man and player Mahomes can count on.
May Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas find a way to keep the Royals from moving to Kansas and convince the team to build a downtown stadium.
May Kylian Mbappe lead France to a victory over Algeria on June 16 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City in his team’s first World Cup match.
May all the World Cup games in Kansas City run smoothly and safely — and may some free tickets fall into my lap.
May Southern University football coach Marshall Faulk find success and face an HBCU opponent in St. Louis, where he starred with the Rams and won a Super Bowl and MVP Award.
May Darryn Peterson, KU player and possible top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, overcome his mysterious leg cramps and lead KU to a pair of games in St. Louis in the NCAA Tournament.
May Colorado football coach Deion Sanders remain cancer free and continue inspiring Black men to have screenings.
May Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones have an epiphany and step down as the team’s GM.
May Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott make a run in the NFL playoffs in 2027.
May quarterback Shedeur Sanders find a team other than Cleveland to play for as his career continues.
May Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin win against Baltimore on Jan. 4 and then make a deep run in the playoffs. Both might be needed to remain as Pittsburgh coach.
May L.A. Rams running back Kyren Williams, a St. Louis guy, score the winning touchdown in the Super Bowl on Feb. 8, 2026.
May St. Louisan Devin Williams find more success as a reliever for the New York Mets than he did with the New York Yankees.
May everyone in St. Louis and America pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and start all over again in 2026.