The Homer Hour

On The Homer Hour, Homer and Gary Ellerson celebrate the Brewers reaching their first World Series in 44 years after completing a historic sweep of the Dodgers. Gary breaks out a vintage Hank Aaron Milwaukee Braves jersey to honor the city's baseball history, while the guys debate whether a Brewers World Series championship would mean more to Wisconsin than another Packers Super Bowl.

Then, is Pat Murphy the most important person in Milwaukee sports right now? Gary explains why Murphy's ability to connect with young players and create a winning culture has transformed the Brewers. The guys also praise Garrett Mitchell's incredible postseason and Gary shares a personal story about his son's experience with Type 1 diabetes and the challenges of competing at a high level.

Plus, Josh Jacobs is set to return from the Commissioner's Exempt List, and the guys preview Packers-Cowboys on Sunday Night Football. They also debate whether Milwaukee should change its roster-building philosophy to keep stars like William Contreras and whether this Brewers team has a better chance to win the World Series than the 1982 squad.

On The Homer Hour, Homer and Brian Bulaga get ready for Brewers-Dodgers Game 4 as Milwaukee looks to complete a historic revenge sweep and reach its first World Series since 1982. Brian believes the Dodgers are mentally broken after three devastating losses and explains why the Brewers' incredible clubhouse chemistry reminds him of the closest teams he played on in Green Bay. The guys also discuss Shohei Ohtani's struggles and whether Pat Murphy can finish the series with Shane Drohan starting.

Then, Jason Wilde joins the show to preview Packers-Cowboys and explain why Green Bay can't afford to get comfortable after dominating Chicago. Wilde discusses the offensive line's continued uncertainty, Kevin Zeitler's potential return to the starting lineup and why Jordan Morgan needs to improve despite the Packers' recent success.

Plus, Bulaga breaks down Morgan's struggles against the Bears, explaining why his performance was more concerning than just two sacks allowed. The guys debate whether Green Bay's offensive line can become a legitimate strength and whether Chicago's defensive collapse says more about the Packers' improvement or the Bears' weaknesses.

On The Homer Hour, Homer gets ready for Brewers-Dodgers Game 3 with another edition of Rain Man, where a caller nearly sets a trivia record answering questions about Milwaukee's postseason run. Homer also debates whether the Brewers and Packers could both be playing Sunday night and why Milwaukee's incredible October has fans dreaming of their first World Series appearance since 1982.

Then, Jason Wilde joins the show with the latest on Micah Parsons and Josh Jacobs. Wilde explains why Parsons could remain sidelined until mid-November and why his recovery requires patience. He also discusses the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Jacobs' status on the Commissioner's Exempt List, the NFL's efforts to obtain video evidence and how long Jacobs might need to get back into football shape once he's cleared to return.

Finally, Brewers legend Jerry Augustine joins Homer to explain why Milwaukee's relentless approach is giving the Dodgers so much trouble. Augustine breaks down how the Brewers wore down Tarik Skubal and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, why their bullpen gives them a championship advantage and how Pat Murphy's leadership compares to Harvey Kuenn's 1982 Brewers. Plus, Augustine praises Milwaukee's incredible outfield speed and Brice Turang's defense as the Brewers look to take a commanding 3-0 series lead.

On The Homer Hour, Steve "Homer" True is fired up after the Brewers took a commanding 2-0 NLCS lead over the Dodgers, but there's one thing he absolutely cannot stand: MLB's postseason scheduling format. Homer argues the 2-3-2 setup unfairly allows the lower-seeded team to host more games through Game 5 and demands baseball adopt the NBA's 2-2-1-1-1 format. He also dives into the skyrocketing cost of potential World Series tickets, with a Brewers season ticket holder calling in to explain how postseason ticket packages, presales and pricing actually work.

Then Jason Wilde joins the show with updates on Micah Parsons and Josh Jacobs. Wilde believes Parsons' return could realistically come in mid-to-late November as the Packers continue navigating life without their star pass rusher. The conversation also turns to Jacobs' status on the Commissioner's Exempt List and new developments involving requests for evidence from his legal case. Wilde explains why the NFL's investigation remains complicated and discusses the possibility of Jacobs returning after six games, while emphasizing that no official resolution has been announced and additional discipline remains possible.

Homer also makes a bold prediction about Marquette basketball, declaring last season's struggles an aberration and confidently predicting Shaka Smart's team will return to the NCAA Tournament and spend time in the national rankings. But the conversation quickly returns to the Brewers, where Homer believes Milwaukee's pitching depth and ability to manufacture runs have made this team dramatically more dangerous than last year's version. With Shohei Ohtani struggling and the Dodgers unable to consistently capitalize offensively, Homer believes the Brewers have everything they need to finish the job.

Finally, Tim Van Vooren joins the show after experiencing the electric atmosphere at American Family Field during Game 2. TVV explains why Milwaukee's greatest strength isn't simply its bullpen or timely hitting, but its ability to wear opponents down over nine innings. From David Hamilton creating chaos on the basepaths to Jake Bauers battling Yoshinobu Yamamoto through a 12-pitch at-bat, the Brewers constantly force opponents into uncomfortable situations. Even with defensive mistakes and Jackson Chourio going hitless in Game 2, Milwaukee found a way to score seven runs. TVV believes that relentless approach is exactly why the Brewers look like the better team through two games and why this October run feels different from anything Milwaukee has experienced in years.

On The Homer Hour, Steve "Homer" True and Gary Ellerson remember legendary Bears coach Mike Ditka following his passing at 86, and Gary shares an incredible firsthand story about the hatred between Ditka and former Packers coach Forrest Gregg. Gary recalls the two coaches charging at each other underneath Soldier Field before a game, forcing Ezra Johnson and Richard Dent to physically restrain them. The tension was so intense that Gregg warned his players to put their helmets on before entering the field because Chicago fans were dumping beer on them. Gary remembers Gregg's message perfectly: "We might lose the game, but we better not lose the fight."

That sparks a fascinating comparison to today's Matt LaFleur vs. Ben Johnson rivalry. Gary explains why LaFleur shouldn't try to become the fiery personality that Gregg and Ditka were, arguing that players can immediately recognize when a coach is pretending to be someone he's not. But he also believes Green Bay needs to match Chicago's physicality and intensity on Sunday. Gary warns that Johnson's aggressive play-calling will create opportunities for the Packers, but only if they're prepared to capitalize. And with Chicago's dominant rushing attack, he expects a physical battle that could resemble the old-school Packers-Bears games.

The guys also debate whether Green Bay's 2-2 start is actually more impressive than it looks considering the injuries, offensive-line instability and difficult circumstances surrounding the team. Gary believes Kevin Zeitler can immediately improve the offensive line and says the Packers could become an ascending team during the second half of the season, especially as players like Tucker Kraft continue recovering from injuries. The bigger question isn't necessarily whether Green Bay beats Chicago, but whether the team can survive long enough to start playing its best football later in the year.

Plus, Gary shares another unforgettable Packers memory involving legendary running back Tony Canadeo, whose larger-than-life presence left him speechless when they first met. The conversation eventually shifts to the Brewers, where Gary explains why Pat Murphy's leadership and accountability have transformed Milwaukee's clubhouse. From making difficult lineup decisions to naming Christian Yelich captain, Gary believes Murphy has created the kind of culture players genuinely want to be part of, and says he'd love to play for a manager like him.

Homer broadcasts live from Buffalo Wild Wings in New Berlin with Packers-Bears ticket giveaways and another round of Rain Man trivia. Jason Wilde joins the show to discuss why the Packers' Super Bowl window may be more realistic next season, their struggling run game, and the challenge of facing the Bears. Former ESPN colleague John Anderson shares his emotional roller coaster watching the Brewers' playoff series against the Padres and explains why every pitch feels like life or death. Anderson also shares a memorable Pat Murphy story, discusses Christian Yelich's importance to the clubhouse, and praises Jackson Chourio and the Brewers' young talent. Plus, Anderson breaks down why he believes Milwaukee can knock off the Dodgers and reach the World Series.

On The Homer Hour, Homer is completely consumed by Brewers-Padres Game 4 after three games he calls unlike anything he’s ever experienced. Every matchup has remained razor-close into the ninth inning, with runners on base and one play capable of flipping the entire series. Homer’s confidence hasn’t changed: the Brewers will find a way. In fact, he says the Packers could lose by 50 Sunday and he wouldn’t care if Milwaukee finishes off San Diego.

Jason Wilde joins the show and shifts the conversation to Packers-Bears, calling Sunday an opportunity for Green Bay to make a statement and finally generate some momentum. Wilde pushes back against the idea that Matt LaFleur’s quieter approach means the Packers care less about the rivalry and believes a win could completely change the feel of the season. Homer remains far less optimistic, calling Green Bay a mess and saying there’s currently nothing special about this team.

But Wilde isn’t abandoning the season yet. If Laken Tomlinson and Kevin Zeitler can turn the offensive line into merely an average NFL unit, he still believes Green Bay could finish around 11-6. He also shares his conversation with Tucker Kraft about the tight end’s uncharacteristic drops, explaining why Kraft’s return from injury has been more difficult than expected and how thinking about yards after the catch may be causing him to lose focus on securing the football first.

And with Micah Parsons still working his way back, Homer argues Green Bay should be extremely cautious when its star pass rusher returns. Wilde says November is beginning to look like the realistic window, and Homer would rather see Parsons limited to high-impact passing situations than rush him back into a full workload. Then it’s right back to October baseball, with Homer opening the phones to Brewers fans trying to survive a series where seemingly every pitch, bounce and defensive play could decide who moves on.

On The Homer Hour, Homer is counting down the hours until Brewers-Padres Game 3 and has reached a new level of confidence: he doesn’t even care whether Milwaukee wins tonight because he believes they’ll find a way to win the series. The bigger scoreboard he’s watching might be Dodgers-Braves, where an Atlanta upset could remove baseball’s biggest heavyweight from Milwaukee’s path. But even if Los Angeles advances, Homer believes the Brewers’ speed, patience and ability to manufacture runs give them a legitimate chance against elite pitching.

The guys also dive deep into the theory that Mason Miller was tipping his pitches during Milwaukee’s dramatic Game 2 comeback. After watching Christian Yelich potentially relay information from second base and seeing Brewers hitters repeatedly lay off Miller’s slider, Homer argues San Diego should have identified the tell before Milwaukee did. Whether the Brewers cracked something or simply executed brilliant at-bats, they’ve now gotten to one of baseball’s most dominant relievers multiple times this season.

Jason Wilde joins the show to discuss the continued uncertainty surrounding Josh Jacobs and the NFL’s investigation. Wilde explains why everything could hinge on whether the league gains access to the garage video and lays out a possible scenario where Jacobs’ time on the Commissioner’s Exempt List counts toward a suspension. Wilde repeatedly stresses that much of the situation remains conjecture, but says video evidence could significantly alter whatever punishment the NFL ultimately hands down.

Finally, Tim Van Vooren joins Homer and says these Brewers feel less fluky and more legitimate than previous Milwaukee playoff teams. TVV believes the Brewers can win the World Series after watching them repeatedly survive adversity all season. They debate Dustin May starting over Robert Gasser, how Pat Murphy could deploy his pitching staff and whether this is finally the Milwaukee team capable of finishing the job. And when the conversation briefly turns to Packers-Bears, TVV sums up Green Bay’s season perfectly: “They just cannot get out of the starting blocks.”

On The Homer Hour, Steve “Homer” True and Bryan Bulaga react to another Packers win that somehow came with a devastating price. Edgerrin Cooper is lost for the season, and Bulaga calls it a massive blow because Green Bay simply cannot scheme its way into replacing his athleticism. Cooper was the defense’s coverage linebacker and one of the few players capable of tilting the field, making his absence even more painful with Micah Parsons still sidelined.

And Cooper’s injury arrives at the worst possible time. Chicago comes to Lambeau with a dominant rushing attack, and Bulaga expects the Bears to repeatedly attack the middle of Green Bay’s defense until the Packers prove they can stop it. Atlanta and Tampa Bay have already put the blueprint on tape, and without Cooper, Bulaga says stopping the run becomes the entire game. Green Bay’s offense also needs to sustain drives to keep an already vulnerable defense from getting worn down.

Jason Wilde joins the show and agrees there’s no real replacement for Cooper. He also warns that Green Bay’s improved offensive-line performance against Tampa Bay needs context: the Buccaneers entered the game blitzing on 44% of snaps but blitzed Green Bay only 17% of the time. That luxury disappears against Chicago, with Wilde and Bulaga expecting Dennis Allen to aggressively test whether the rebuilt Packers line has actually improved.

Plus, the guys hand out their Three Pillars from the win, including Evan Williams, Anthony Belton and Matthew Golden, before Homer unveils his solution to Green Bay’s running-game problems: load the field with tight ends. Bulaga doesn’t quite endorse Homer’s running-back-free revolution, but he does believe heavier two- and three-tight-end packages could help Green Bay finally establish something consistent on the ground.

On The Homer Hour, Steve “Homer” True and Gary Ellerson look ahead to a pivotal weekend for the Packers and debate whether Green Bay can still become the second-half team Gary envisioned before the season. Getting to 2-2 would keep the Packers within striking distance, but Gary admits the offensive line has been significantly worse than he expected. He likes the additions of Kevin Zeitler, Laken Tomlinson and Mekhi Becton, but says Green Bay waited too long to address a position group that got “young too quick.”

Gary’s solution against Tampa Bay is simple: start Caleb Johnson and keep running the football, even if it isn’t working immediately. With veteran linemen potentially needing limited snaps and Jordan Love already taking a beating, Gary says Green Bay cannot expose its quarterback to another pass-heavy game. Homer agrees that protecting Love matters beyond Sunday because the fastest way to destroy any hope of a second-half turnaround is getting the franchise quarterback hurt.

Then the conversation shifts to Wisconsin after its remarkable comeback at Penn State. Gary says the Badgers showed something they haven’t displayed enough under Luke Fickell: belief when everything was going wrong. After falling behind 17-0 on the road, Wisconsin refused to fold, and Gary believes Saturday’s Homecoming matchup against Michigan State will reveal whether that comeback represented a genuine turning point. His goal now? Stack wins and find a path to eight victories.

Plus, former Brewer Jerry Augustine joins Homer ahead of Jacob Misiorowski’s playoff start and explains why Miz shouldn’t change anything for October. Augustine believes Misiorowski’s ability to control his emotions, locate his pitches and make adjustments is what separates him, and says the young ace already has experience handling the heightened atmosphere of postseason baseball.