SportsBeat KC

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SportsBeat KC: Zack Greinke, defense and Bobby Witt Jr. came up big in Royals’ victory Apr 08, 2022

Show notes

The Opening Day weather was frightful, but the Royals’ Thursday afternoon victory over the Cleveland Guardians was delightful in many ways.

Zack Greinke was solid in his return to the Royals, his first start at The K in a KC uniform in more than a decade. The defense was excellent, too, and Bobby Witt Jr. got a hit in his first major-league game.

Not just a hit, either — an eighth-inning RBI double that gave the Royals the lead for good in a 3-1 win. There was an ice bucket splash on the field and condiment bath afterward. Good times all around. Only 161 games remaining. What’s the magic number?

On today’s episode of The Star’s SportsBeat KC podcast, beat writer Lynn Worthy and columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell relate the significance of the first game and look ahead with host Blair Kerkhoff. The show started as a SportsBeat Live Friday morning and now you can here it here in audio form.

Story links:

“I wasn’t crazy sharp,” Zack Greinke says of Royals’ return

Royals players gave Bobby Witt Jr. a special celebration with a purpose behind it

How unfazed rookie Bobby Witt Jr. made magic in his Royals debut and what it portends

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SportsBeat KC: KC’s Harry Higgs takes on the tradition like no other Apr 06, 2022

Show notes

The Masters tees off on Thursday and on today’s SportsBeat KC, you’ll hear from a first-time participant who attended Blue Valley North High.

Harry Higgs is quickly becoming a tour favorite. He’s a big personality who qualified for golf’s first major of the year by finishing fourth in last year’s PGA.

It looms as an eventful few days in Augusta. Tiger Woods says he’s playing. Tom Watson is an honorary starter for the time, and Harry Higgs figures to have the time of his life.

Free-lance golf journalists Garrett Johnston caught up with Higgs last week for his podcast Beyond the Clubhouse, and you’ll hear part of that interview after a break. First, you’ll hear from Johnston and host Blair Kerkhoff, discussing The Masters.

Story links

Beyond the Clubhouse podcast

https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5yZWRjaXJjbGUuY29tLzE1MTBkMjE5LTFiOGYtNGE5My1iYmQxLTdhMWM2Y2ZiNmU0Nw/episode/OGNkOWZiZTItZWU0NS00NmRmLWJkYjYtMTEwMDJiY2I2MTcz?sa=X&ved=0CAUQkfYCahcKEwiIit_Xx__2AhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAQ&hl=en

Sun’s out guns out at Masters? Nah, KC’s Harry Higgs plans to keep his shirt on at Augusta

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/article260104855.html

PGATour.com: Here comes Harry Higgs, right up Magnolia Lane

https://www.pgatour.com/long-form/2022/04/03/here-comes-harry-higgs-right-up-magnolia-lane-first-masters.html

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Podcast: Talking Kansas Jayhawks and the greatest comeback in NCAA title-game history Apr 05, 2022

Show notes

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Kansas meets North Carolina for the NCAA championshipKansas meets North Carolina for the NCAA championshipSportsBeat KC: Sizing up NCAA title game and what else is at stake for Kansas Jayhawks Apr 04, 2022

Show notes

The Kansas Jayhawks meet the North Carolina Tar Heels in New Orleans for the men’s basketball national championship. KU is bidding for its fourth NCAA title, and if it cuts the nets, only UCLA, Kentucky, North Carolina and Duke will have won trophies.

Bill Self is aware of the history and his program’s success in many categories. But KU has come up short in national championships, winning one in his first 18 seasons. This team provides his best shot as a second title.

On today’s SportsBeat KC, beat writer Jesse Newell joins columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell in setting up the game and explaining what’s at stake for the Jayhawks.

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SportsBeat KC: How the Bill Self-Jay Wright KU-Nova matchup has produced elite results Apr 01, 2022

Show notes

Teams coached by Kansas’ Bill Self and Villanova’s Jay Wright have met in the NCAA Tournament three times. And the winner always went on to win the national championship.

Will that be the case a fourth time? The Jayhawks and Wildcats face off in Saturday’s first Final Four semifinal, with the winner facing the survivor of a showdown between Duke and North Carolina — they play after KU-Nova — for the national championship.

On today’s SportsBeat KC podcast, you’ll hear from Self and Wright, who took the podium Thursday at the Final Four in New Orleans. Each coach covered several topics over a 20-minute interview period. You’ll hear all of their comments here.

A final programming note: Kansas City Star KU beat writers Jesse Newell and Gary Bedore, columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell and host Blair Kerkhoff will be doing daily SportsBeat livestreams from New Orleans as long as the Jayhawks are still playing. Watch kansascity.com and The Star’s social media channels for start times.

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SportsBeat KC: One week from Opening Day, how will Royals’ rotation shake out? Mar 31, 2022

Show notes

Opening Day for the Royals is one week away and many of the boxes are checked. Lineup? Pretty much set. Closer? Scott Barlow. First starter? Zack Greinke. After Greinke?

Not sure about the rotation after that. Brad Keller, Brady Singer, Carlos Hernandez, Daniel Lynch, Kris Bubic, Jackson Kowar, Jon Heasley are all candidates. Keep in mind teams can carry two additional players during the season’s first month.

On today’s SportsBeat KC, beat writer Lynn Worthy and columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell discuss the rotation and lineup as the season approaches.

Story links:

Carlos Hernandez ready to move on after rough spring start

Royals commit to manager Mike Matheny behind 2022 season

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SportsBeat KC: Discussing the possibility of the Chiefs leaving Arrowhead Stadium Mar 30, 2022

Show notes

It’s been 50 years for the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Is it time to start exploring at new home in Kansas City?

Team president Mark Donovan tossed out that idea at the NFL meetings this week and it got everyone’s attention. On today’s SportsBeat KC, beat writer Herbie Teope and columnist Vahe Gregorian discuss the idea—and the chances—of the Chiefs not playing at Arrowhead Stadium.

We also tackle other topics like the Chiefs’ influence on the NFL’s new overtime rule for the playoffs and what decisions remain for the Chiefs in free agency.

Story links:

KC Chiefs president says team is exploring possible sites for stadium in Kansas: report

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article259897210.html

Should Kansas City Chiefs stay in Missouri or move to Kansas? Vote in Border War poll

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article259910100.html

NFL owners approve new playoff rule allowing both teams a possession in overtime games

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article259899680.html

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Beyond the Bracket, Episode 6: Previewing a very blue blood men’s Final Four Mar 29, 2022

Show notes

Welcome back to Beyond the Bracket, a special edition series of the SportsBeat KC podcast that’s here to here to cover everything March Madness.

Each week, I’ll be joined by reporters and columnists from around the country to discuss college hoops. This final episode features insiders into two of the men’s Final Four teams: Jesse Newell, who covers the Kansas Jayhawks for The Star, and Steve Wiseman, who covers the Duke Blue Devils for the News & Observer.

Saturday’s semifinal games feature four of the best programs in Duke, Kansas, North Carolina and Villanova. Newell and Wiseman provide insight into how each of the teams they cover got here, including how the Blue Devils overcame the pressure of a final season under coach Mike Krzyzewski and the keys to the Jayhawks’ success in the tournament.

The trio also discusses the magnitude of these Final Four matchups, keys to each game, the possibility of a Duke-Kansas title game and who might hit the first buzzer-beating shot of March Madness.

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SportsBeat KC: Kansas Jayhawks are Final Four bound after near perfect second half Mar 28, 2022

Show notes

Next top for Kansas, the Final Four.

The Jayhawks ran away from Miami, Fla., 76-60 on Sunday to capture the Midwest Region championship and advance to the Final Four for the 16th time in program history. Villanova awaits in the semifinal Saturday in New Orleans.

On today’s SportsBeat KC, beat writers Gary Bedore and Jesse Newell break down the Kansas effort, when they outscored the Hurricanes by 32 points in the second half. Remy Martin was voted the region’s most outstanding player but several had a hand in helping the Jayhawks overcome a six-point halftime deficit.

We look back on the game and look ahead to a weekend that also includes a Duke-North Carolina semifinal.

Story links:

Bill Self feels late father’s presence during Final Four run

An unexpected halftime talk by Bill Self sparked Kansas’ second half turnaround

First look at men’s Final Four: College basketball’s blues will play in New Orleans

Rolling to the Big East: Kansas Jayhawks surge in second half

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SportsBeat KC: What big challenges await new hoop coaches at K-State, Mizzou? Mar 25, 2022

Show notes

Basketball coaching searches came to an end at Kansas State and Missouri this week and the beat writers take us through the hiring process on today’s SportsBeat KC.

Kellis Robinett describes the path of Jerome Tang, a Baylor assistant coach for 19 years. Tang has never been a college head coach but he was part of the Scott Drew staff that turned the Bears from an also ran into a national champion.

Lila Bromberg breaks down the hiring of Dennis Gates at Mizzou. Gates went 50-40 over three seasons at Cleveland State and spent eight years on Leonard Hamilton’s Florida State staff, helping turn the Seminoles into an ACC power.

The tasks begin for both coaches, who take over programs that finished under .500 this season, especially in recruiting. They’re on the hunt for new talent and also have to re-recruit players on this season’s roster.

Story links:

How Missouri Tigers’ Dennis Gates plans to run his first high major basketball program

Kansas State guard Nijel Pack ready to explore NBA Draft opportunities

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