SportsBeat KC

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SportsBeat KC: With 2022 schedule, If Chiefs can get to halftime with a lead... May 13, 2022

Show notes

The full NFL schedule was released on Thursday, putting an end to the hype, leaks and misinformation preceding the announcement. For the Chiefs, the back end appears more manageable than the first half.

According to Elias Sports, the Chiefs’ slate in an NFL first. They’re the first two meet teams that finished with winning records over the previous season in their first eight games.

Sked tweet 0514

On today’s show, beat writers Herbie Teope and Jesse Newell break down the schedule, which opens with a road game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 11.

After a break, you’ll hear from two draft picks who participated in rookie mini-camp last week, cornerback Joshua Williams from Fayetteville State and safety Nazeeh Johnson of Marshall.

Story links:

Exciting as the NFL schedule release is, Chiefs’ fate will be determined by own makeup

Here’s what stands out about the Chiefs’ 2022 schedule

Chiefs 2022 schedule

Sept. 11 at Arizona 3:25 p.m., CBS

Sept. 15 L.A. Chargers, 7:15 p.m., Prime video

Sept. 25 at Indianapolis, noon, CBS

Oct. 2 at Tampa Bay, 7:20 p.m., NBC

Oct. 10 Las Vegas, 7:15 p.m., ESPN

Oct. 16 Buffalo, 3:25 p.m., CBS

Oct. 23 at San Francisco, 3:25 p.m., FOX

Oct. 30 BYE

Nov. 6 Tennessee, 7:20 p.m., NBC

Nov. 13 Jacksonville, noon, CBS

Nov. 20 at L.A. Chargers, 3:25 p.m. CBS

Nov. 27 L.A. Rams, 3:25 p.m., FOX

Dec. 4 at Cincinnati, 3:25 p.m., CBS

Dec. 11 at Denver, 7:20 p.m., NBC

Dec. 18 at Houston, noon, CBS

Dec. 24 Seattle, noon, FOX

Jan. 1 Denver, noon, CBS

Jan 7 or 8 at Las Vegas, TBD

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Sunday NASCAR Cup event at Kansas Speedway is anyone’s race: SportsBeat KC podcast May 11, 2022

Show notes

It’s racing weekend in Kansas City, and Kansas Speedway will be the site of three races: the Dutch Boy 150 ARCA race and Heart of America 200 trucks run on Saturday and NASCAR Cup Series AdventHealth 400 on Sunday.

It’s the first time since 2019 that a scheduled spring-racing event at Kansas Speedway will not be directly affected by the pandemic.

On today’s episode of The Star’s SportsBeat KC podcast, we chat with veteran sportswriter Randy Covitz, who has covered every Cup race at Kansas since the track’s inaugural season in 2001. He previews Sunday’s marquee race and discusses the impact of the new Next Gen cars.

After a break, Kansas Speedway president Pat Warren talks about how the track and NASCAR have battled through the previous two years of disruptions, delays and limited fans.

Story links:

NASCAR Cup Series postseason grid already filling up fast

Kansas Speedway schedule and ticket information

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SportsBeat KC podcast: Still waiting for Royals hitters to deliver in the clutch May 10, 2022

Show notes

The Royals can’t find any momentum. Last week, after a 7-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals, they were hammered 10-0 the next day. After taking the first game of a doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday, the Royals dropped the second game and lost the series on Monday.

Lack of clutch hitting continues to be the biggest issue. Slugger Salvador Perez seems to be coming out of his malaise with two hits in each of his last three games, raising his batting average by nearly 40 points. But Whit Merrifield continues to be mired in a season-long slump.

On today’s SportsBeat KC podcast, we sort through it all with beat writer Lynn Worthy and columnist Sam McDowell. The show started as a SportsBeat Live.

Story links:

Carlos Hernández’s outing falls apart as Kansas City Royals lose finale in Baltimore

How catcher Sal Perez snapped out of his recent slump at the plate

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SportsBeat KC podcast: Get to know Chiefs’ rookie class & The Star’s new beat writer May 09, 2022

Show notes

Chiefs rookie mini-camp came to a conclusion on Monday and we got to know the team’s draft class and first-year players a little better.

On today’s SportsBeat KC, we’ll hear from drafted players Jaylen Watson, a cornerback from Washington State, running back Isiah Pacheco from Rutgers and wide receiver Skyy Moore from Western Michigan. They flashed their personalities, especially when discussing their feelings about Mother’s Day.

The show kicks off with another newcomer to the Chiefs, beat writer Jesse Newell. He takes over on the Chiefs beat after covering the University of Kansas for the previous 14 years and shares his thoughts about the team and what he hopes to bring to the coverage team.

Story links:

KC Chiefs rookie wide receiver Skyy Moore dealing with ‘minor hamstring tweak’

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article261168307.html

For this Chiefs rookie, a Mother’s Day story: Cherish your mom, but don’t work for her

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article261227492.html

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SportsBeat KC: How KC Current, Sporting KC gain value without winning matches May 05, 2022

Show notes

In only its second season the Kansas City Current faced a competition elimination game. It didn’t turn out as hoped as the Current fell to the North Carolina Courage in the semifinals of the Challenge Cup, but the four victories in the event’s pool play marked one more than the team achieved throughout the entire inaugural season.

On today’s SportsBeat KC, soccer beat writer Daniel Sperry discusses the Current and the slow start to the season for Sporting Kansas City. Coach Peter Vermes’ club collected a draw in its previous outing and perhaps that will send the team in a positive direction.

Also, how about the Seattle Sounders? SKC’s Western Conference rival won the CONCACAF Championship League on Wednesday night, a first for an MLS team.

Story links:

KC Current falls behind early and drops game in Challenge Cup semifinal

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/mls/kc-current/article261037407.html

Sporting Kansas City salvages point with a tie against FC Dallas

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/mls/sporting-kc/article260773057.html

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SportsBeat KC: What Clark Hunt had to say about Kansas City Chiefs and Arrowhead’s future May 04, 2022

Show notes

During last weekend’s NFL Draft, Chiefs chairman and CEO Clark Hunt took questions from reporters about a range of topics like where he and the Chiefs stand on stadium issues, the 2023 NFL Draft coming to Kansas City, the prospect of legalized sports wagering in Missouri and Kansas, and the chance of Kansas City and Arrowhead Stadium landing World Cup games.

You’ll hear his session with reporters here. Star columnist Vahe Gregorian joined SportsBeat KC host Blair Kerkhoff in something of a post-game analysis. The Chiefs’ future home received the most attention. Hunt spoke to remaining in Arrowhead, what might happen if the Royals move downtown and development around the Truman Sports Complex.

Hunt, who operates the region’s most powerful sports franchise, speaks publicly a handful of times during the year. It’s always good to hear what he has to say.

Story links:

Clark Hunt’s heart hopes Chiefs stay at Arrowhead, but practicality will dictate future

KC Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt supports sports betting. Could Kansas lure team with earnings?

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SportsBeat KC: Trying to talk our way into some Kansas City Royals victories May 03, 2022

Show notes

On Monday, the Royals got an excellent outing from Zach Greinke, and there won’t be many better defensive plays than the home run robbing grab by center fielder Michael A. Taylor. But they didn’t add up to a Royals victory.

The 1-0 loss at St. Louis was the Royals’ fourth straight and dropped them seven games below .500. Three times this year, the Royals have lost at least four straight, and the season is only 21 games old.

Where to begin the fix? Star writers Vahe Gregorian, Lynn Worthy and Pete Grathoff took their shots at answering that and covered several other topics on a show that started as a SportsBeat Live and is now presented as a SportsBeat KC podcast.

Story links:

Kansas City Royals waste Zack Greinke’s strong start in second shutout loss in three days

MJ Melendez recalled emotional moment of being called up by the Royals

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SportsBeat KC: Chiefs grades didn’t need a curve & why Watson, Brett continue ALS cause May 02, 2022

Show notes

That wasn’t a draft but a full gust of wind that blew over the Chiefs last weekend. At least that’s the take from beat writer Herbie Teope and several NFL writers who covered the NFL Draft. By nearly all accounts the draft couldn’t have gone much better for the Chiefs.

On today’s SportsBeat KC podcast, Teope discusses what general manager Brett Veach and the Chiefs staff accomplished and when the 10 drafted players figure to make an impact.

After a break, we switch gears and talk about a special annual event that took place on Monday. The Joe McGuff ALS Golf Classic took place on Monday at LionsGate in Overland Park. The event raises money for the disease that took the life of the former Kansas City Star editor and sports columnist.

Kansas City sports icons Tom Watson and George Brett are on hand every year to participate and help raise awareness. After Star columnist Vahe Gregorian speaks about the fundraiser, Watson and Brett talk about their motivation to continue the battle fighting ALS.

Story link:

Did KC Chiefs really nail the NFL Draft? We’ve assigned letter-grades for all 10 picks

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SportsBeat KC: Draft board falls Chiefs’ way in first round. Where do they go from here? Apr 29, 2022

Show notes

One round of the NFL Draft, six to go, and if the rest are like the first for the Chiefs they’ll feel good when the draft wraps up Saturday.

Two first-round spots produced Washington cornerback Trent McDuffie at No. 21 and Purdue rush end George Karlaftis at No. 30. Both met positions of need and were players not believed to be available based on pre-draft speculation.

On today’s SportsBeat KC, which started as a SportsBeat Live broadcast, beat writer Herbie Teope and columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell break down the first day of draft action and look ahead at what lies ahead for the Chiefs.

Story links:

Chiefs seek to remain flexible in Rounds 2-3 of the 2022 NFL Draft

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article260885352.html

The one aspect of KC Chiefs’ trade and 1st-round draft pick that you shouldn’t ignore

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/sam-mcdowell/article260849672.html

KC Chiefs fill pass-rush need with Karlaftis, who says he’s ready to work his way up

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article260878707.html

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SportsBeat KC: Jerome Tang’s start, Skylar Thompson’s shot and much more about K-State Apr 27, 2022

Show notes

New Kansas State basketball coach Jerome Tang has been busy hiring a staff and putting together a roster. There’s plenty of work to do for a program that’s experienced three straight losing seasons, but the early returns are positive.

One that got away is guard Nijel Pack, the sophomore guard who transferred to Miami, Fla. That wasn’t a huge surprise. There are about 1,500 basketball players in the transfer portal now. What made this one eye-opening was the NIL that came with the move. Pack is expected to receive $800,000 and a car over two years.

On today’s SportsBeat KC, beat writer Kellis Robinett will discuss those developments and other topics like Skylar Thompson’s NFL Draft prospects. and the legacy of former university president Jon Wefald who recently passed away.

Story links:

Why Skylar Thompson could be the first Kansas State quarterback since 2009 taken in the NFL Draft

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/kansas-state/article260746767.html

K-State basketball transfer Nijel Pack gets massive NIL deal with Miami Hurricanes

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/kansas-state/article260707142.html

Kansas State Wildcats in mix for heralded Detroit basketball transfer Antoine Davis

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/kansas-state/article260734782.html

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