SportsBeat KC

Latest Episodes:

Did Kansas City Chiefs get everything accomplished before training camp starts? Podcast Jun 20, 2022

Show notes

It’s vacation time for the Chiefs. What, amounts to an off-season, five weeks between the end of organized team activities and the beginning of training camp, has arrived. The Chiefs wrapped up their Arrowhead practices last week.

On today’s SportsBeat KC, beat writers Herbie Teope and Jesse Newell wrap up the workouts and break down what some Chiefs veterans like Chris Jones and Juan Thornhill had to say last week. Did the Chiefs check all the OTA boxes?

After a break, Patrick Mahomes field questions about the Tyreek Hill podcast and other topics.

Also covered: The signings of players like Jerrick McKinnon and Chris Lammons, the World Cup’s impact on Arrowhead Stadium, training camp information and more.

Story links:

Why Kansas City’s World Cup 2026 host duty could hasten end of Arrowhead as we know it

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/vahe-gregorian/article262635807.html

‘I’m a little surprised.’ Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes responds to Tyreek Hill podcast

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/sam-mcdowell/article262588947.html

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FIFA World Cup 2026 next steps now Kansas City’s focus: SportsBeat KC podcast Jun 17, 2022

Show notes

Kansas City will host games in the world’s largest sporting event, the World Cup. Amazing.

Dozens of U.S. cities wanted in, 11 were selected. With three in Mexico and two in Canada as part of the joint North American event, Kansas City is the smallest of the 16, in terms of metropolitan-area population. But no city worked longer and harder to land these World Cup matches.

On today’s episode of the SportsBeat KC podcast, Star columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell discuss the news more deeply with host Blair Kerkhoff. How did Kansas City beat out larger cities, what impressed FIFA officials, and what’s in store for the heart of America in 2026?

Story links:

“No one wants it more than you,” What made Kansas City’s World Cup bid stand out

World Cup reiterates KC is world class and reminds of transformative powers of sports

How Kansas City landed games as host for 2026 FIFA World Cup soccer

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Here’s what Kansas City would bring to World Cup if it’s selected as a host: Podcast Jun 15, 2022

Show notes

As FIFA prepares to announce the U.S. cities that will be the site of 2026 World Cup games, Kansas City has its fingers crossed. We’re one of 16 spots in the running to be host cities. Ten or 11 will be selected.

Will Kansas City make the cut? On today’s SportsBeat KC podcast, columnist Vahe Gregorian and soccer writer Daniel Sperry break down the strengths and weaknesses of Kansas City as a bid candidate. Arrowhead Stadium and other facilities and the region’s soccer culture are seen as pluses.

Market size would seem to work against Kansas City. Or does it? We discuss.

U.S. cities bidding for the 2026 FIFA World Cup: New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore/Washington, D.C., Boston, Atlanta, Miami, Orlando, Nashville, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Denver, Cincinnati, Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle

Story link:

How does Kansas City stack up against other cities bidding to host 2026 World Cup games?

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How can Kansas City Royals pitchers stop issuing free passes? SportsBeat KC podcast Jun 14, 2022

Show notes

Oh, those base on balls. The line originated from Frankie Frisch, then manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates as he watched his pitcher pile up walks. Frisch later repeated it often as a broadcaster with the New York Giants. Royals manager Mike Matheny can relate.

The Royals issued nine walks in their series opening loss at the San Francisco Giants on Monday, and bases on balls have been a problem all year for Royals starters and relievers. On today’s SportsBeat KC podcast, Star columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell discuss how this problem has contributed to the Royals’ owning baseball’s worst record.

On the positive side, the Royals have been taking better approaches at the plate and hitting numbers have improved. It coincides with the elevation of Alec Zumwalt as the team’s hitting coach.

Baseball’s walks issued leaders (through June 13)

242 Royals

239 Reds

238 White Sox

Story links:

Royals outhit Giants but lose 6-2 after pitchers surrender nine walks

Royals pitching staff has its share of problems. Let’s start here

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Who’ll show up and who won’t for Kansas City Chiefs’ mandatory minicamp? Podcast Jun 13, 2022

Show notes

The final week of the Kansas City Chiefs’ offseason workouts have arrived and mandatory minicamp means players like defensive linemen Chris Jones and Frank Clark should be in town this week. On today’s SportsBeat KC podcast, beat writers Herbie Teope and Jesse Newell preview the week ahead.

Also, 2022 looms as an important season for players like running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire and linebacker Nick Bolton. Edwards-Helaire looks to firmly establish himself as the Chiefs’ top option and Bolton takes over at middle linebacker and the responsibilities that come with it.

After this week, the Chiefs and rest of the NFL take a break. Next stop: training camp at Missouri Western in St. Joseph in late July.

Story links:

Why this is a vital year for Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire

Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton settling in nicely with new ‘green dot’ role

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Patrick Mahomes or Aaron Rodgers? Marques Valdes-Scantling weighs in on who’s best: Podcast Jun 10, 2022

Show notes

Chiefs wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling considers himself fortunate to be a pass catching connection with two of the game’s great quarterbacks. He spent four seasons in Green Bay piling up numbers while working with Aaron Rodgers. Now, he’s in the first few weeks of getting to know Patrick Mahomes.

Valdes-Scantling spoke about working with both quarterbacks when he met with reporters this week and shares his thoughts on today’s SportsBeat KC podcast.

Also, Clyde Edwards-Helaire finds himself in a running backs room with several new faces. What has he picked up from his new teammates?

Story link:

Marquez Valdes-Scantling’s role could expand with the KC Chiefs, Reid. Here’s why

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What the return of Matt Nagy means to Chiefs offense, Mahomes: SportsBeat KC podcast Jun 08, 2022

Show notes

When Matt Nagy was last with the Chiefs, he was the offensive coordinator on a team with Patrick Mahomes as the reserve quarterback. After four years as head coach of the Chicago Bears, Nagy is back as the quarterbacks coach and now gets to work with one of the NFL’s top players.

On today’s SportsBeat KC podcast, Nagy shares thoughts about his return to Andy Reid’s staff and working with a more fully formed Mahomes.

Also, beat writers Herbie Teope and Jesse Newell weigh in on severaltopics. The Tyreek Hill podcast tease that caused some ruffled feathers and the retirement of former Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel are among the talking points as the Chiefs begin to wind up off-season workouts.

Story links:

Two Mizzou Tigers and handful of former Chiefs on College Football Hall of Fame ballot

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-missouri/article262204302.html

Former Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel announces his retirement from the NFL

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article262244487.html

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Looking at Royals trade possibilities as season sinks away: SportsBeat KC podcast Jun 07, 2022

Show notes

Assuming the Kansas City Royals will soon change the tense on their season — from present to future — it’s time to begin thinking about what they could bring back in trades. And who are the team’s top candidates to deal?

On today’s SportsBeat KC podcast, beat writer Lynn Worthy and columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian discuss trade value of Royals players and what the return might bring.

Also, signs are positive for Salvador Perez with a pair of home runs over the weekend. He got some advice from an interesting source. And starter Daniel Lynch has now had two straight rough outings. What’s the problem?

Story links:

Daniel Lynch victimized by home runs as Kansas City Royals lose opener to Blue Jays

Kansas City Royals star Sal Perez sought advice from former hitting coach Terry Bradshaw

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SportsBeat KC: Missouri Tigers on prowl for QB, and how will future SEC schedules look? Jun 06, 2022

Show notes

The end of the school year means a peek ahead to next football season. The Missouri Tigers will look to build on last season’s 6-7 finish and the first task for Coach Eli Drinkwitz is to find his starting quarterback. There are four candidates, two returning players and two newcomers, and the ideal scenario would have a starter in place for fall camp.

Drinkwitz discussed the position and several other topics in a recent gathering with reporters. Coaches attended the recent SEC business meetings and considered several changes like playing a nine-game league schedule once Texas and Oklahoma are part of the conference.

On today’s SportsBeat KC, you’ll hear what Drinkwitz said about the program, the conference, the implementation of name, image and likeness and other subjects.

Story links:

Who will be the Missouri Tigers’ starting quarterback this fall?

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-missouri/article262092127.html

If SEC expands its football schedule, what teams would Missouri prefer to face?

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-missouri/article262077167.html

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How the Kansas City Chiefs’ wide receiver room might shake out: SportsBeat KC podcast Jun 02, 2022

Show notes

The Chiefs’ makeover at wide receiver is among the biggest story lines of the off-season and it’s the primary topic on today’s SportsBeat KC podcast with beat writers Herbie Teope and Jesse Newell.

The departure of Tyreek Hill, Demarcus Robinson and Byron Pringle led to the addition of Marquez Valdes-Scantling, JuJu Smith-Schuster and draft pick SKyy Moore. Among the top four receivers from last season, only Mecole Hardman returns,

So, assuming the Chiefs keep six at the position, who else makes the squad, and how will special teams ability play into the decision?

Wide receivers on Chiefs roster

Mecole Hardman

Marquez Valdes-Scantling

JuJu Smith-Schuster

Skyy Moore

Jerrion Ealy

Justin Watson

Mathew Sexton

Justyn Ross

Cornell Powell

Gary Jennings