SportsBeat KC

Latest Episodes:

Podcast: Our speculation became reality with Royals signing of Aroldis Chapman Jan 20, 2023

Show notes

From a roster standpoint, it had been a mostly quiet off-season for the Royals, but the team made a splash by signing left-handed relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman to a 1-year deal.

Maybe the change of scenery will serve Chapman well. He had been a dominant closer for much of his time with the Yankees and the Reds, Blue Jays and Cubs before that, winning a World Series ring in Chicago. But he missed a mandatory team workout before a playoff series and was left off the team’s roster.

On today’s show, Royals beat writer Lynn Worthy doesn’t exactly break down the move–the show was taped before it became official–but speculated on what it might mean for the Royals.

Also discussed: Brady Singer’s arbitration case, what position Aldaberto Mondesi will play this year and the importance of aquiring Jordan Lyles.

Story link:

KC Royals roll the dice on high-risk, high-reward free-agent reliever Aroldis Chapman

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article271392042.html

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How the Chiefs get it done against the Jacksonville Jaguars in playoffs Jan 19, 2023

Show notes

Some players are in line for firsts when the Chiefs meet the Jaguars in the AFC Divisional Round on Saturday at GEHA Field at Arrowhead.

Chris Jones seeks his first playoff sack. Trevor Lawrence has never lost a Saturday game, in high school, college or pro football (37-0), Isiah Pacheco has never won a postseason football game.

We discuss all of that and much more on SportsBeat KC, the Star’s daily sports podcast, with Chiefs beat writers Jesse Newell and Herbie Teope.

More talking points: The Chiefs are an 8 1/2-point favorite in a rematch of a regular-season game in which Kansas City won by 10. The weather could be a factor with a rain-snow mix in the forecast. And under Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs haven’t lost a playoff game in this round.

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Former Jags tight end Clay Harbor breaks down Chiefs-Jacksonville Jan 18, 2023

Show notes

Playoff time has arrived in Kansas City. It’s Chiefs vs. Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC Divisional Round on Saturday in GEHA Field at Arrowhead, 3:30 p.m., kickoff. Plan accordingly.

On today’s SportsBeat KC, we get perspective from both sides. Clay Harbor is a former NFL tight end, who started his career with Andy Reid’s Philadelphia Eagles and played four seasons with the Jags. He co-hosts the Bleav In Jaguars podcast and broke down Jacksonville’s amazing run to finish the regular season and team record-setting comeback victory in the Wild Card Round over the L.A. Chargers. The Jags stormed back from a 27-0 deficit.

Harbor, who played at Missouri State, also discussed his years playing for the Eagles staff that included Reid and current Jags coach Doug Pederson.

After a break, you’ll hear from Patrick Mahomes and Nick Bolton from the Chiefs’ weekly meeting with reporters. They’re in playoff mode.

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K-State’s Jerome Tang wants to tip the fan love/hate balance in KU rivalry Jan 17, 2023

Show notes

The Sunflower Showdown, Part I, is tonight when Kansas visits Kansas State and it’s everything you’d want in a Big 12 game: a pair of ranked teams–KU is No. 2, K-State No. 13–ESPN coverage, what should be incredible atmosphere.

Speaking of atmosphere, first-year Wildcats Coach Jerome Tang would like to see things toned down a bit at Bramlage Coliseum. Show love for Kansas State more than hate for Kansas, is the message.

You’ll hear that suggestion on today’s SportsBeat KC with beat writer Kellis Robinett. We also discuss a game that could loom large in rankings and seeding.

After a break, you’ll hear from KU star Jalen Wilson and Coach Bill Self from their meeting with reporters before the game.

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This isn’t the same Jaguars team that came to Kansas City earlier in season Jan 16, 2023

Show notes

The Chiefs know their playoff opponent and it’s time to gear up for the game. Chiefs vs. Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Kickoff is 3:30 p.m., and it’s a rematch of a regular-season meeting.

On today’s SportsBeat KC, we look ahead to the game and back at the Chiefs’ 27-17 victory in Week 10 with beat writers Herbie Teope and Jesse Newell along with columnists Sam McDowell at Vahe Gregorian. How have Coach Doug Pederson’s Jaguars improved since the game, when they left Kansas City with a 3-7 record?

We also break down the Jaguars’ remarkable comeback victory over the L.A. Chargers in the Wild Card round and talk about the other games of the first weekend.

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Podcast: Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa State on a collision course in Big 12 hoops Jan 13, 2023

Show notes

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AFC playoffs will produce Chiefs’ next opponent. Who should they want? Jan 12, 2023

Show notes

It’s a TV remote weekend for the Chiefs as the NFL playoffs commence. As the top seed in the AFC bracket, the Chiefs will watch games instead of playing in one. That happens in the Divisional Round the following weekend.

So as the Chiefs flip around the games, who would they want to play next week? That’s our primary topic on today’s SportsBeat KC with beat writers Herbie Teope and Jesse Newell, along with columnists Vahe Gregorian.

We also discuss the rise of running back Jerick McKinnon and what that means for Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and with 10 regular seasons in the books for Andy Reid as the head coach, we chat about the best players to suit up for Big Red. Who are your top five Chiefs of the past decade?

Also, we now know if it’s Chiefs-Bills in the AFC Championship Game, the contest will be played at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Jan. 29 at 6 p.m.

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Bad night for TCU, great news for Michael Bishop, Jeremy Maclin & ex-Chiefs Jan 10, 2023

Show notes

About the College Football Playoff Championship Game on Monday...oof.

On today’s SportsBeat KC, beat writer Kellis Robinett discusses Georgia’s dominance over TCU and how the Big 12’s first appearance in the title game became a debacle.

Before the game there was other college football news. Announced as College Football Hall of Fame members were former Kansas State quarterback Michael Bishop and Missouri wide receiver Jeremy Maclin. Joining Maclin in the Hall will be fellow former Chiefs Eric Berry and Derrick Johnson.

After a break, you’ll hear a few minutes from an interview with Tulane head coach Willie Fritz. The former Central Missouri coach led the Green Wave to an improbable victory over Southern California in the Cotton Bowl last week.

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By winning, Chiefs clinch playoff bye and everything that goes with it Jan 09, 2023

Show notes

The NFL playoff field is set, the games are scheduled and the Chiefs get a week off. Those developments were set in motion when the Chiefs defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 31-13 on Saturday. By winning, the Chiefs clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC and the first-round bye.

Because the Buffalo Bills won on Sunday, the road to the AFC Championship won’t necessarily run through Kansas City. if the Chiefs and Bills meet for the AFC title, the game will be played at a neutral site.

Those topics and other possibilities drove the conversation with Star columnist Sam McDowell and beat writers Herbie Teope and Jesse Newell after the victory over the Raiders. The outcome gave the Chiefs a 14-victory regular season for the second time in team history and made them undefeated against AFC West opponents this season.

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Is it true that life’s not always fair at end of close games when playing KU? A podcast Jan 06, 2023

Show notes

The final seconds tick away in a close game against Kansas. The opponent it taking the ball to the basket, and there’s contact with the defender.

Foul or no? For the past two games the answer has been no, and the Jayhawks survived both times.

On today’s episode of The Star’s SportsBeat KC podcast, college basketball beat writers Gary Bedore, Kellis Robinett and Shreyas Laddha discuss the late no-calls and whether KU gets more than its share of those calls, or non-calls.

Also, we discuss the arrival of what might be the most emotional game on the Kansas State schedule for first-year Wildcats coach Jerome Tang: at Baylor. Tang spent 19 years in Waco, working with Bears head coach Scott Drew and helping Baylor build its way up from the bottom of the Big 12 to a national championship.

Missouri’s fast start, the next Texas head coach and other topics are also part of this podcast conversation.

Story links:

Big 12 refs will try to “eliminate” some physical play, per memo. Bill Self’s reaction

How Scott Drew and Jerome Tang are adjusting to live as Big 12 coaching rivals

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