SportsBeat KC

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Royals’ All-Star rep Whit Merrifield, sports betting in Missouri, and a message about cancer Jul 01, 2019

Show notes

Whit Merrifield is the Royals’ All-Star Game representative. Star columnists Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian discuss whether baseball got the selection right. Also, Sam talks about how sports wagering seems destined to become law in Missouri. Host Blair Kerkhoff also pays tribute to former Star editor Adam Darby, who died of cancer in June at age 49.

Read the stories we discussed:

Vahe Gregorian: Whit Merrifield’s roots explain his unyielding path to stardom with Royals at age 30 — https://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article227414959.html

Sam Mellinger: The challenges and potential of legalized sports betting in Kansas and Missouri — https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/sam-mellinger/article232103957.html

Adam Demian Darby — https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/kansascity/obituary.aspx?n=adam-demian-darby&pid=193210611

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KC Royals update: Hunter Dozier, Bubba Starling and who will be the All-Star rep? Jun 27, 2019

Show notes

The Star’s Royals beat writer Lynn Worthy provides updates on Hunter Dozier’s big return, moves on the pitching staff, the Class AAA All-Star call for Bubba Starling and who gets the Royals’ All-Star spot and could there be more than one? With host Blair Kerkhoff.

Read the stories we discussed:

Royals offense whiffs against Indians’ Trevor Bauer in series finale —https://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article231978027.html

Former Gardner Edgerton standout Bubba Starling chosen for Triple-A All-Star Game — https://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article231982897.html

Hunter Dozier’s grand slam powers Royals to ninth-inning rally over Indians —

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article231958208.html

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KU basketball: the history, Frank Mason's future and the looming NCAA punishment Jun 25, 2019

Show notes

It’s never not basketball season at Kansas as the weekend commitment of guard Tre White proved. Also, several former Jayhawks recently returned to Lawrence for alumni functions, including the most decorated player in recent years, Frank Mason.

And will KU be one of the schools soon to receive a Notice of Allegations from the NCAA? Beat writer Jesse Newell and host Blair Kerkhoff break it down.

Read the stories we discussed:

Tre White, highly touted sophomore guard from Milwaukee, commits to KU basketball — https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article231883463.html

Frank Mason scores 33 in alumni game, speaks about uncertain future with Kings — https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article231829303.html

NCAA official: 6 schools could face punishment related to basketball investigation — https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article231490333.html

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Kansas City's soccer spotlight week: World Cup dreaming, Sporting KC's win Jun 24, 2019

Show notes

This is an important week for Kansas City to show its soccer bona fides to the world a year away from the site selection for the 2026 Men’s World Cup. The U.S. Men’s National Team plays at Children’s Mercy Park on Wednesday and a good crowd is expected. The U.S. Women continue their quest for a championship, and Sporting KC picked up a huge road victory on Sunday. The Star's columnist Sam Mellinger and soccer beat writer Sam McDowell chat with host Blair Kerkhoff about all things soccer.

Read the stories we discussed:

Finally: Sporting KC grabs first road victory of 2019, makes a move in playoff race — https://www.kansascity.com/sports/mls/sporting-kc/article231880303.html

Bayern Munich-AC Milan match in KC moving to Children’s Mercy Park. Here are the details — https://www.kansascity.com/sports/mls/sporting-kc/article231463518.html

Sam Mellinger: The importance about hearing ‘Yes” about the World Cup — https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/sam-mellinger/article213111079.html

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Mizzou hoops and NBA draft with Alex Schiffer Jun 18, 2019

Show notes

Just days after the Toronto Raptors won the NBA championship, the draft has arrived.

Missouri beat writer Alex Schiffer is at the draft site in Brooklyn and breaks down the top projected choices and the local possibilities with host Blair Kerkhoff. Plus, they talk about the ever-changing Missouri basketball roster and what to expect next season — coach Cuonzo Martin's third.

Read the stories we discussed:

Who will get minutes for Missouri basketball next season? A look at the Tigers’ options — https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-missouri/article231431973.html

“I felt invincible” Missouri’s Jontay Porter explains how he re-tore ACL during rehab — https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-missouri/article230477924.html

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Kansas City finds its sports joy in U.S. Open, women's soccer and the St. Louis Blues parade Jun 18, 2019

Show notes

Local pro teams aren’t winning, but Kansas Citians enjoyed watching success elsewhere in sports, with big TV ratings for Gary Woodland’s U.S. Open title, the Women’s World Cup and even the parade for the Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues. Host Blair Kerkhoff and columnist Vahe Gregorian revel in the fun, along with everyone else.

Read the stories we discussed:

Pebble chalk Jayhawk: Gary Woodland breaks through for first major victory at U.S. Open - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article231627573.html

Gary Woodland: From Washburn basketball to U.S. Open champion -

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/golf/article231631213.html

KC’s Blues fans pack The Blue Line as Blues claim Stanley Cup with 4-1 win over Bruins - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nhl/article231453168.html

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Chiefs minicamp concludes. Next stop training camp Jun 13, 2019

Show notes

The Kansas City Chiefs wrapped up minicamp on Thursday feeling positive about the work throughout the spring. Chiefs beat writer Brooke Pryor and host Blair Kerkhoff recall the good and bad of camp, and discuss the immediate future of holdout Chris Jones. Read the stories we discussed: Sam Mellinger: Chiefs star Chris Jones’ holdout and what it means for his future - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/sam-mellinger/article231516413.html Travis Kelce is still rehabbing but says he’ll be “full go” by Chiefs training camp - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article231511903.html Andy Reid’s advice before break: Don’t come back on crutches - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article231532938.html

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New additions headed to KU hoops, including Jalen Wilson Jun 12, 2019

Show notes

After the NCAA Tournament loss, Kansas was facing a rebuilding job. It’s happened quickly. Kansas beat writer Jesse Newell drops by the studio to discuss the latest developments and takes a stab with host Blair Kerkhoff at picking some of the greatest one- and two-year players in KU basketball history. Read the stories we discussed: KU basketball team gains an outside shooter in Iowa graduate transfer Isaiah Moss https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article231392503.html Why accepting a reduced role could be Isaiah Moss’ best chance for success at KU https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article231398853.html Jalen Wilson headed to KU, top-50 player in 2019 recruiting class announces - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article231462708.html

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Sam and Vahe roundtable: Could KC be an NHL or NBA city? And Tyreek Hill, Royals, Big Papi stories Jun 10, 2019

Show notes

With the Stanley Cup finals and NBA Finals winding down, Kansas City Star sports columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam Mellinger make the case (or not) for Kansas City as an NBA or NHL city. Once upon a time, both leagues called Kansas City and Kemper Arena home. Also, the columnists and host Blair Kerkhoff break down the latest Tyreek Hill news, attempt to find meaning in the Royals’ losing ways, send best wishes for a speedy recovery to Big Papi (David Ortiz) and conclude with Sam’s favorite KC Star enterprise. Read the stories we discussed: Vahe Gregorian: Blues’ season has lifted a city, but chance to win Stanley Cup will wait until Game 7 - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/vahe-gregorian/article231368563.html Best of the best: Presenting the KC Star’s 2019 Scholar-Athletes from across the Metro - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/high-school/article231068258.html Where do Kansas City TV sports ratings rank nationally? Crunching the numbers - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/article130600534.html

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KC Chiefs: Why Patrick Mahomes will be playing softball and Tyrann Mathieu is inspirational Jun 07, 2019

Show notes

The Chiefs finished OTAs - organized team activities - on Thursday. Next stop: mandatory mini-camp. In between, quarterback Patrick Mahomes will participate in the Big Slick charity softball game, where he might be the biggest celebrity in the celebrity-driven event. Chiefs beat writer Brooke Pryor and host Blair Kerkhoff cover the gamut, plus an inspirational clip from Tyrann Mathieu. Read the stories we discussed: Patrick Mahomes cleared to play in Big Slick charity softball game -https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article231271158.html Chiefs coach Brendan Daly bleeds for football. Now his blood boils for KC’s defense - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article231225613.html Training camp is ETA for Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article231267388.html

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