Podcast Summary: Holmberg’s Morning Sickness – Epic World Series Game & Voon Chang the Unicorn Trainer
Episode Date: October 28, 2025
Host: John Holmberg
Co-hosts: Brady Bogen, Brett Vesely, Dick Toledo
Main Themes:
- A marathon World Series Game 3
- The viral fame of Blue Jays trainer Voon Chang’s “unicorn horn”
- The ongoing saga: Will Toledo sell his Game 4 World Series tickets?
- Wild brainstorming about who should join Toledo at the game
Episode Overview
This episode is a comedic, high-energy breakdown of an “epic” 18-inning World Series Game 3, plus a running bit about Toronto Blue Jays trainer Voon Chang’s conspicuously horn-like forehead growth. The crew brainstorms—with escalating lunacy—who unlucky Toledo might take with his remaining World Series ticket after failing to sell it, volleying listener suggestions, long-standing inside jokes, and debates over the weird logic of sports fandom.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. World Series Game 3: The 18-Inning Marathon
Segment: 00:38–04:59
- Holmberg launches the show blown away by the historic Dodgers win in a game that stretched 18 innings and almost 7 hours.
- “Could you imagine if [Tripp and Toledo] went to a Dodgers game together and it lasted 18 innings? Oh my God. Tripp would have hung himself.” (01:01, John)
- They marvel at how fans always think they want never-ending sports drama, “And then you get your wish and you’re like, Jesus Christ, I wish this thing would have ended about two hours ago.” (01:40, John)
- Discussion of West Coast vs. East Coast fans enduring the late finish, and the unique endurance it required for everyone—players, viewers, and even stadium staff.
2. The Toronto Blue Jays’ Dugout & Voon Chang’s Unicorn Horn
Segment: 04:59–15:23
- The hosts erupt over the TV close-up of Jays’ trainer Voon Chang, whose pronounced forehead “horn” becomes a source of fascination and comic storytelling.
- “Voon Chang, he’s got a little horn. He’s got a big horn coming out. ... If a guy came running at me going, ‘I can help, I can help,’ and he had one of those—go help yourself. Go fix that before you can fix other people!” (06:28, John)
- Speculation on what the growth is (“bone spur,” “math storage,” “oracle eye,” etc.) and why a medical professional wouldn’t get it removed. Hilarious, pseudo-scientific riffing ensues.
- Brady questions if it affects Chang’s brain or skull; John disputes it with improvised “medical expertise.”
- “If I had a unicorn horn, I’d hit that thing with an angle grinder in my garage!” (13:38, John)
- Listeners start chiming in about whether Voon Chang’s horn is a good-luck charm during the Jays’ postseason run.
3. Will Toledo Sell His World Series Tickets? Who Gets to Go?
Segment: 15:59–43:09
- Ongoing bit about Toledo’s dilemma: He paid $2,400 apiece for World Series tickets, now worth only $750 each. Should he sell, go, or take someone else?
- “Oh my God, you’re eating so much on this terrible, terrible purchase. ... You’re getting punched in the trunks, my friend.” (18:09, John)
- “Would you take a listener?” sparks a raucous brainstorm. Suggestions pour in:
- Take the eighth caller for a “write off” trip (20:11–20:41)
- Listeners offer road trip bribes: gas money, free food, hotel connections, streaking on the field
- References to “Thriller” (a peculiar, possibly serial-killer-ish colleague), “Charlie” (an old show contact), and even taking a blind man for the handicap row perks
- The cast lampoons the logistics of driving vs. flying and the nightmare prospect of another marathon game for LA fans.
- John obsesses over the comedic potential of pairing Toledo with various listeners/characters in a road trip for the ages.
- “This has to be the most amount of people that have ever wanted to voluntarily and willingly hang out with Toledo. Wait for that. Soak it up, motherf***er.” (42:55, John)
4. Memorable Quips and Banter
- About Voon Chang:
- “Voonicorn has to be thrown around behind his back on a constant basis.” (15:13, John)
- “Go get that horn taken off your face. In fact, you got a horn on your face right now. Maybe he can’t tell me exactly why...” (08:53, John)
- About extended games:
- “It just wouldn’t end, which is the sucky part. Baseball does have to do something about extra innings... man, you can’t have seven hour sporting events.” (03:27, John)
- On Toledo’s ticket scam:
- “No self respecting Jew would have purchased what Toledo bought. There’s no Jews in the right field...” (31:05, John, riffing on ‘juicy’ seats pun)
- Listener’s offer:
- “I have connections with Hilton resorts. I can fly us and get us a room for free. Take a few days off from teaching. Let’s go.” (29:31, Listener/Caller proposal)
Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)
| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote/Context | |------------|-----------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:01 | John Holmberg | “Could you imagine if [Tripp and Toledo] went to a Dodger game together and it lasted 18 innings? Oh my God. Tripp would have hung himself.” | | 04:59 | John Holmberg | “Voon Chang. Stop. It’s just a name. V-o-o-n, last name Chang. ... I think he might be a unicorn.” | | 06:28 | John Holmberg | “If a guy came running at me going, I can help. I can help. And he had one of those, go help yourself. Go fix that before you can start trying to fix people.”| | 13:38 | John Holmberg | “I’d hit that thing with an angle grinder in my garage. ... You give me a unicorn horn ... just burn that off.” | | 18:09 | John Holmberg | “You’re getting punched in the trunks, my friend.” (on Toledo losing money on resale) | | 15:13 | John Holmberg | “Voonicorn has to be thrown around behind his back on a constant basis.” | | 20:11 | Brett Vesely | “Just take the eighth caller and send them with Toledo.” (idea for ticket giveaway) | | 42:55 | John Holmberg | “This has to be the most amount of people that have ever wanted to voluntarily and willingly hang out with Toledo. Wait for that. Soak it up, MFer.” |
Important Segments & Timestamps
- Recap of the Epic World Series Game 3: 00:38–04:59
- Voon Chang’s Unicorn Horn Discussion: 04:59–15:23
- Ticket Resale & “Who Will Go with Toledo?” Bit: 15:59–43:09
Tone & Style
The show’s trademark is irreverent, rapid-fire banter—a blend of local radio energy, locker-room humor, and unsparing ridicule among friends. The hosts riff on each other, the news, and listeners, mixing playful speculation with heartfelt moments about the passion of sports fandom.
Takeaway for New Listeners
Even if you missed this episode live, you’ll get caught up on a historic World Series game, a weirdly hilarious medical anomaly, and the kind of freewheeling, no-holds-barred fun that makes local morning radio an American institution. From sports to local color to surgical debates about unicorn horns, this episode is classic Morning Sickness: sharp, offbeat, and always running just a little long.
