SportsBeat KC

Latest Episodes:

SportsBeat KC podcast: What went wrong for Royals in Seattle + those new unis Apr 26, 2022

Show notes

Plenty went wrong for the Royals last weekend in Seattle, where the Mariners swept a three-game series and extended the Royals’ losing streak to four. On today’s SportsBeat KC podcast, beat writer Lynn Worthy and columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian discuss how the Royals can alter the course.

You’ll also hear from right fielder Whit Merrifield, who had a frank discussion about his slump and why he believes he and the Royals are close to turning things around.

Also, we ask the question, can the clothes change the man? The Royals will see on Saturday when they break out their City Connect uniforms against the Yankees.

Story links:

Why a slow start hasn’t shaken Whit Merrifield’s confidence

Here’s a first look at the City Connect uniforms the Royals will wear Saturday

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SportsBeat KC podcast: Why this NFL Draft marks a pivot point for Kansas City Chiefs Apr 25, 2022

Show notes

It’s a busy week in sports with the NBA Playoffs, the end of hockey’s regular season, baseball, golf, tennis, auto racing.

And the biggest event of them all — the NFL Draft.

The three-day event begins Thursday and the Chiefs enter as one of the busiest teams with 12 selections. Will they use them all, trade up for position, trade down for more picks?

The draft also signals something of a pivot point for the Chiefs, who are restocking a team that has lost several impact players from the previous season.

Each of the draft’s three days should bring plenty of drama for the Chiefs, and on today’s SportsBeat KC podcast, beat writer Herbie Teope breaks it down and projects what he believes what will happen with the team’s two first-round picks.

Story links:

Mock Draft 4.0: How about an impact NFL pass rusher with the 29th pick?

The biggest takeaway from Brett Veach’s comments on the draft

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SportsBeat KC: Chiefs GM Brett Veach on the NFL Draft, Tyreek Hill, Tyrann Mathieu Apr 22, 2022

Show notes

Could the Chiefs trade up in the first round? What went into the Tyreek Hill trade, and the decision to not re-sign Tyrann Mathieu before last season?

Chiefs general manager Brett Veach addressed those topics and more at his annual pre-draft press conference. The Chiefs own 12 picks, two in each of the first four rounds, in the draft that begins next Thursday, so where was plenty to discuss.

You’ll hear the entire give and take with reporters on SportsBeat KC, and come back for more next week as The Star loads up on NFL Draft coverage.

Story links:

Why KC Chiefs’ GM says team has ‘ton of time’ to work out Orlando Brown Jr.’s contract

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SportsBeat KC: How Missouri Tigers coaches are navigating college sports’ shifting landscape Apr 21, 2022

Show notes

It’s a brave new world for major college athletics. Name, image and likeness opportunities present challenges to coaches and administrators. The transfer portal adds another layer to the recruiting game.

On today’s SportsBeat KC, Missouri basketball coach Dennis Gates and football coach Eli Drinkwitz discuss the changing landscape with reporters. The coaches and administrators were in town this week to meet and mingle with fans in a regular event disrupted by the pandemic the previous two years.

You’ll hear Gates, who was hired last month, and has worked feverishly to reconstruct a roster that includes freshman Aidan Shaw from Blue Valley High. After a break, Drinkwitz covers several topics, including how his staff put together the program’s top recruiting class.

Star columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell kick off the episode with their impressions of the event.

Story link:

Missouri Tigers recruit Aidan Shaw reminds new coach Dennis Gates of Florida State talent

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-missouri/article260611277.html

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SportsBeat KC: From one victory two days ago can Royals feel momentum? Apr 19, 2022

Show notes

The Royals’ last impression was a good one, however distant. They defeated the Detroit Tigers 3-1 on Saturday, and will not have played again until opening a three-game home series against the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday.

Hunter Dozier and the bullpen had excellent days. The Royals might be on a small winning streak if the day before starting pitcher Brad Keller had received some run support.

We know about the overall hitting woes of the Royals, but some good things happened in the Tigers’ series, and broke it down on SportsBeat Live, now a SportsBeat KC podcast with beat writer. Lynn Worthy and columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell.

Story links:

Dozier showing signs of being a different maker in Royals lineup

Hunter Dozier’s home run lifts Royals to victory, stops 5-game losing streak

Brad Keller gives up big hit late as Royals fall to Tigers

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SportsBeat KC: Here’s what Chiefs said about moving beyond Tyreek Hill Apr 18, 2022

Show notes

The first phase of the off-season program began on Monday for the Chiefs and quarterback Patrick Mahomes and wide receiver Mecole Hardman are here to talk about it.

On today’s SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, you’ll hear what the Chiefs had to say about what they hope to get accomplished in the off-season, some updates to injured players like offensive tackle Lucas Niang and the topic on everyone’s mind: How will the Chiefs adjust to life without Tyreek Hill?

A Pro Bowl selection all six of his NFL seasons, Hill was dealt to the Miami Dolphins for five draft picks in a stunning move. The Chiefs will miss their star wide receiver but believe enough talent exists to continue winning without him.

Story links:

KC Chiefs coach Andy Reid provides injury updates on players Lucas Niang, Chris Jones

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article260513392.html

Kansas City Chiefs’ trade of Tyreek Hill was right move both on field and off: opinion

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/sam-mcdowell/article259707850.html

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SportsBeat KC: Taking starting rotation, Carlos Santana and baseball’s unwritten rules Apr 14, 2022

Show notes

Before starting a home stand on Thursday against the Detroit Tigers, the Royals had seen each of their starting pitchers once.

The results have been mixed. Zack Greinke and Brad Keller were terrific to open the season. But Kris Bubic and Carlos Hernandez got knocked around before Daniel Lynch blended good moments with bad.

Add it up, and the answer is ... too small of a sample size to analyze fully. But KC Star beat writer Lynn Worthy and columnist Sam McDowell discussed this and more after the season’s first week, including a slow start at the plate for first baseman Carlos Santana.

Also on Thursday’s SportsBeat KC podcast: In light of the San Francisco Giants violating some of baseball’s unwritten rules in a pounding of the San Diego Padres, what’s to be said about the unspoken codes and sportsmanship?

Story links:

Kansas City Royals’ Sal Perez blasted 2 homers, but he would rather have gotten the win

Kansas City Royals can’t escape hole after Daniel Lynch gives up 6 runs at Cardinals

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SportsBeat KC: On the intriguing basketball coaching hires at UMKC, Mizzou Apr 13, 2022

Show notes

Last month, Dionnah Jackson-Durrett was cutting down nets at Municipal Auditorium as the associate head coach at Texas, which had beaten Baylor to capture the Big 12 championship. This week, she was back in Kansas City being introduced as UMKC’s new women’s coach.

On today’s SportsBeat KC, you’ll hear from Jackson-Durrett as she lays out her vision and priorities in her new role.

Also on today’s show, it’s not often a news conference is called to introduce an assistant coach but that speaks to the significance of the hiring of Charlton “C.Y.” Young at Missouri.

Young and new TIgers coach Dennis Gates spent six years together on Florida State’s staff before Gates became Cleveland State’s head coach. In Tallahassee, the assistants under Leonard Hamilton helped put together teams that rank among the best in Seminoles’ history and they hope to bring that kind of success to Columbia.

You’ll hear from Young and Gates from the news conference that was held late last week.

Story links:

Why both trips to Kansas City brought a smile to new KC Roos’ hoops coach

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/umkc/article260312830.html

First hire on Dennis Gates’ Missouri Tigers staff comes with impressive credentials

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-missouri/article260232735.html

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SportsBeat KC: Mocking up a Chiefs draft, and why Tyrann Mathieu opened up about KC Apr 12, 2022

Show notes

In less than three weeks, the NFL will conduct its annual draft. And as it stands now, the Chiefs figure to be busy each day with a total of 12 picks, including two each in the first four rounds.

KC Star Chiefs beat writer Herbie Teope has been hunkered down, working on mock drafts. He’s released two and plans to unveil two more before the draft begins. What are his guiding principles? The focus is on defense.

After a break, columnist Sam McDowell shared his conversation with Tyrann Mathieu. The All-Pro safety who spent the past three years with the Chiefs opens up about why it’s not likely he’ll be back in Kansas City.

Story links

In candid interview, Tyrann Mathieu says he’s ‘heartbroken’ to not be back with Chiefs

Why picking defense first (still) makes sense for Kansas City Chiefs: Mock Draft 2.0

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SportsBeat KC: How the Kansas Jayhawks spent their first week as NCAA champions Apr 11, 2022

Show notes

A week ago today, Kansas defeated North Carolina to win the NCAA men’s basketball championship. What’s happened since then for the Jayhawks? Plenty of celebration, like Sunday’s parade in Lawrence, the announcement of a barnstorming tour and continued speculation about next season, including a timeline for learning of potential NCAA penalties.

All of those topics and more are discussed on today’s episode of The Star’s SportsBeat KC podcast with beat writers Gary Bedore and Jesse Newell. After the Jayhawks’ first week as national champions, it’s time to look ahead to who might be returning for Bill Self’s 2022-23 roster. With new rules allowing players to profit from their name, image and likeness, would it make sense for some of this year’s roster — guys with pro basketball dreams — to play another year in college?

Story links:

What does Kansas’ Jayhawks roster next season look like?

IARP updates KU’s case entry for the first time in months. Here are the takeaways

Watch the NCAA champion Kansas Jayhawks’ celebration parade

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected