SportsBeat KC

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Talkin’ baseball and what it means to have Negro Leagues stats integrated into MLB May 29, 2024

Show notes

Often when a baseball record is set, it occurs during game with fanfare. Not this time. The integration of Negro Leagues statistics into Major League Baseball that has resulted in new leaders atop some lists, happened decades later, and determined by a committee.

A Negro Leagues slugger, Josh Gibson, has surpassed Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb in a couple of batting categories, and some who started their career in the Negro Leagues before moving to MLB -- Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays and others -- had numbers added to their stats.

On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian discuss baseball’s move and its impact. You’ll also hear from Negro Leagues Baseball Museum President Bob Kendrick, who shared his thoughts on the development and answers questions at a news conference.

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How the 2014 Royals re-energized baseball in Kansas City May 21, 2024

Show notes

In 2014, the Royals were scuffling around the All-Star break, falling a couple of games under .500 and looking like the postseason drought, nearing three decades, would continue. But the Royals put together a sizzling second half and qualified for the playoffs.

There, they made history, becoming the first team to win the first eight games of a postseason. The quest reached Game 7 of the World Series, where the Royals fell short to the San Francisco Giants and Madison Bumgarner.

Last week, many of the players and coaches from 2014 returned to Kansas City for a reunion and celebration, and on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, you’ll hear from manager Ned Yost, first baseman Eric Hosmer, third baseman Mike Moustakas and outfielder Alex Gordon. All played major roles in the team’s success that year and the next when they finished the job by capturing the World Series.

On this episode, the conversations stay mostly with the 2014 season and team, as Yost, Hoz, Moose and Gordo relive one of the Royals’ greatest seasons.

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Peeling back an NFL schedule while wondering if Chiefs will add wide receiver: Podcast May 14, 2024

Show notes

Only the NFL could turn its schedule announcement into an event. And we even know the opponents.

On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, Chiefs beat writer Jesse Newell previews the unveiling, and what’s known so far. The Chiefs first’ two games have been identified: home contests against the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals. What does that mean for the rest of the slate?

Also discussed: What move can the Chiefs made at wide receiver now that free agent Zay Jones has signed with the Arizona Cardinals; an appreciation for Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who has signed with the Buffalo Bills; impact of new kickoff rules; and do you prefer game shows or horror shows? Travis Kelce is involved with both.

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Why the Royals success through first quarter of season seems sustainable May 07, 2024

Show notes

The winning continues for the Royals as baseball approaches the quarter pole of the season. We’re not longer waiting for the bottom to fall out on a team that dropped 106 games last year and has posted seven consecutive losing record records heading in 2024.

The starting pitching has excelled. The defense is superb, and the Royals are getting enough offense the believe the success is sustainable. On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Jaylon Thompson and columnist Sam McDowell explain the surge and why it could develop into a playoff push.

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Did the Chiefs meet all their goals in the 2024 Draft, and do more positions require more attention? Apr 30, 2024

Show notes

The Chiefs’ 2024 draft class addressed needs, specifically at wide receiver and offensive tackle, and the team took some fliers on others. Did the Chiefs meet all their goals, and do more positions require more attention?

On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Jesse Newell offers thoughts on all seven selections and looks ahead to how the group will blend with the the two-time defending Super Bowl champion. Who among the newcomers will be counted on immediately, and how will special teams factor in for some?

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Here’s how the Chiefs can outfox the rest of the league during the NFL Draft Apr 23, 2024

Show notes

The Annual Player Selection Meeting, or informally known as the NFL Draft, kicks off its three-day run on Thursday in Detroit. As Super Bowl champion, the Chiefs own picks No. 32 and 64 in the first two rounds, but there should be good depth at the positions of team needs, like wide receiver and offensive tackle.

Will the Chiefs go there? On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Jesse Newell and columnist Sam McDowell provide insights into possibilities for the Chiefs. It might make sense to work a deal to trade up or move back.

If the Chiefs stand pat, we provide names of possible draft targets, players we have identified in the Star’s mock drafts.

The draft, and the undrafted free agent signings afterwards are this important: The backbone of last year’s team was homegrown, with 66 percent (35 of 53) of the roster comprised of Chiefs’ draft picks or undrafted free agents.

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How Lionel Messi lived up to the billing in Kansas City visit Apr 16, 2024

Show notes

Quite the soccer scene in Kansas City last weekend. Sporting Kansas City took on Lionel Messi and Inter Miami before more than 72,000 last weekend at Arrowhead Stadium. The game, and Messi’s performance lived up the hype in Miami’s 3-2 victory.

On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian look back at the event and what it means for a stadium and region that will host World Cup games in two years.

Also, you’ll from Sporting KC manager Peter Vermes, who opened his postmatch press conference by remarking on the historic game.

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How the KC Royals can stay hot and maintain their early winning ways Apr 09, 2024

Show notes

The baseball season is about two weeks old, and the Royals are still in it entering a three-game home series against the Houston Astros. The team is off to its best start in three years and it’s a refreshing change from recent seasons.

The starting pitching has been outstanding and players like M.J Melendez, Salvador Perez, Maikel Garcia and Bobby Witt Jr., are off to fast starts. On SportsBeat KC, beat writer Jaylon Thompson discusses the team’s solid start and what it will take for the Royals to keep up the pace.

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How concerned should we be about the uncertain future homes of the Royals and Chiefs? Apr 03, 2024

Show notes

Jackson County votes have spoken, and they said “no” to a new stadium for the Royals and upgrades at Arrowhead Stadium for the Chiefs.

On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian, who covered the stadium tax campaign from the beginning, share their thoughts on why it failed and what’s next for the teams.

The teams didn’t put together a winning game plan. Now the future of the teams in Jackson County comes into question.

Story links:

Sam McDowell: The Royals and Chiefs should blame themselves, not voters, for stadium tax failures

Vahe Gregorian: After stadium tax whiff, Royals, Chiefs should heed message and work to earn trust

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Why will it pass? Fail? Star sports columnists break down KC stadium tax vote: Podcast Mar 27, 2024

Show notes

On April 2, Jackson County residents will decide whether to approve a 3/8-cent sales tax that would fund a new stadium for the Royals and provide upgrades at Arrowhead Stadium for the Chiefs.

The tax expected to generate about $2 billion over 40 years. A “Yes,” vote means the Royals will move out of Kauffman Stadium and build a new stadium in the Crossroads District. The Chiefs will stay put and improve the fan experience at Arrowhead.

A “No,” vote means...

No one is certain, but columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian join host Blair Kerkhoff on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, to break down this generational decision. We discuss what the vote means for Kansas City and offer predictions on the outcome.

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