SportsBeat KC

Latest Episodes:

After a decade of futility, there’s only one way to go for KU football Sep 01, 2021

Show notes

A new era begins for Kansas Jayhawks football, and maybe it’s time to see signs of progress.

New coach Lance Leipold got a late start on the job when he was hired in April, and as of midday Wednesday he still hadn’t named a starting quarterback for Friday’s opener against South Dakota. But there is nowhere to go but up for a program that went winless in nine games last season and hasn’t won more than three games in a season since 2009.

KC Star beat writer Jesse Newell offers analysis on the Jayhawks, and after a break we’ll hear directly from Leipold, who met with reporters earlier in the week.

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This KC-area standout is expected to start - at a new position for KU

KU game-by-game picks and bold predictions for 2021 season

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Celebrating Salvy ... but why is this Royal’s best season happening now? Aug 31, 2021

Show notes

Behold Salvador Perez. He’s swinging baseball’s hottest bat, with home runs in five straight games. That matches a Royals record, which he can own exclusively Tuesday night. He has also tied the team mark for home runs in a month with 12.

Perez has gone from being a good hitter to great this season, and we talked about why it’s happening this season on SportsBeat Live, The Star’s daily sports podcast with beat writer Lynn Worthy and columnists Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian.

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Mellinger Minutes: Celebrating Salvy, Chiefs predictions and keeping secrets

With Salvador Perez mashing, we recall some of the Royals’ top offensive seasons

Perez is AL Player of the Week after historic stretch

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Final thoughts on who makes Kansas City Chiefs’ 53-man NFL roster Aug 30, 2021

Show notes

The Chiefs checked every box in their preseason finale on Friday, a 28-25 victory at home over the Minnesota Vikings. The starters on offense and defense excelled and Patrick Mahomes and company looked ready for the regular-season opener against the Cleveland Browns.

But there is some work to be done before that Sept. 12 game. The roster must be trimmed from 80 to 53, and on this episode of SportsBeat KC, beat writers Sam McDowell and Herbie Teope break down what they believe will happen as the Tuesday deadline for cuts approaches.

Where to players like Jody Fortson, Daurice Fountain, Cornell Powell, DeAndre Baker and Tim Ward stand? Listen to what the beat writers have to say.

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The Chiefs’ toughest 53-man roster decisions and our predictions for them

Final Chiefs preseason report card, and some thoughts on those impending roster moves

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With 2 wins now, KC NWSL aims to keep season headed in right direction Aug 27, 2021

Show notes

KC NWSL is on a roll, and that’s a nice change from the season’s first few months.

The team picked up its second straight home victory, a 2-1 decision against Louisville this week, and now seeks its first road win of the year this weekend. In this episode of our daily SportsBeat KC podcast, soccer writer Shaun Goodwin explains how the first-year club has turned the corner.

Also, Sporting KC continues to find success this season. Peter Vermes’ club earned a scoreless draw at Minnesota after playing a man down for the final 70 minutes. Goalkeeper Tim Melia was terrific, per usual.

And what’s a soccer podcast in Kansas City without mentioning Daniel Salloi? A goal in this week’s MLS All-Star Game and a national team call-up? It’s been the summer of Salloi.

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Twice is nice: KC NWSL record second straight victory, beating Louisville

How KC NWSL’s Rachel Corsie was able to adapt to a new life, and soccer style in America

Sporting KC’s Salloi scores in penalty shootout to help MLS All-Stars to victory

With Tim Meila’s stout effort in goal, KC manages scoreless draw in Minnesota

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These positions are up for grabs going into final Chiefs preseason game Aug 26, 2021

Show notes

One preseason game remains for the Chiefs, Friday at home against the Minnesota Vikings.

The Chiefs’ starters are expected to play most of the first half. After the game, it’s decision time for Andy Reid and Brett Veach. The team’s decisions makers must get the roster to 53 players by next Tuesday.

Where are the roster battles? The starters are established, so the shakeups lurk down on the depth chart. The final corps of wide receivers, tight ends, defensive backs will be known soon. And their last audition is Friday.

In this episode of our daily SportsBeat KC podcast, beat writer Herbie Teope speculates on the roster and discusses what he expects to see from the Chiefs in their final tuneup game.

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Updates on Chiefs hobbled running backs and how much starters are expected to play

How Jody Fortson put himself in position to make Chiefs’ 53-man roster

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‘Love ya, Big 12. But you’re not part of our power-conference alliance’ Aug 25, 2021

Show notes

A new alliance of power conferences was formally introduced Tuesday, when commissioners Kevin Warren of the Big Ten, Jim Phillips of the ACC and George Kliavkoff of the Pac-12 met with reporters to lay out their plans for consolidating influence in the wake of the SEC’s recent power-grab of Texas and Oklahoma.

Conspicuously absent from that allied group? Bob Bowlsby and the Big 12.

In this episode of our daily SportsBeat KC podcast, K-State beat writer Kellis Robinett and Drew Davison, who covers TCU for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, discuss the alliance with host Blair Kerkhoff and attempt to determine what it all means for the Big 12.

After a break, you’ll hear from the commissioners, who were asked directory about the future of the Big 12.

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What does the Big Ten, ACC and Pac-12 alliance mean for the beleaguered Big 12?

The Big 12 column I’d rather not write: Options for the league’s remaining eight schools stink

What’s next for the Big 12 and realignment? We make some predictions

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Royals’ rotation sizzling, and how does middle infield line up in ’22? Aug 24, 2021

Show notes

Only a few weeks of evidence is available, but what a stretch for the Royals’ rotation.

With Carlos Hernandez and Daniel Lynch leading the way, they’ve won seven of eight and their starters are 5-0 in that run.

On this episode of our daily SportsBeat KC podcast, which originated as SportsBeat Live stream Tuesday morning, beat writer Lynn Worthy and columnists Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian project what this means for the future. And, speaking of next season, where will Nicky Lopez, Whit Merrifield, Adalberto Mondesi and Bobby Witt Jr. find themselves on the diamond in 2022? Plenty of flexibility there.

Finally, Salvador Perez is having a career year when it seems his trajectory should be headed in a different direction.

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Royals win fourth in a row, Merrifield, Rivera lead the way in Houston

Daniel Lynch’s bounce back has been a big win for the organization

Mellinger Minutes: Chiefs defense, over analyzing, Royals future and more

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The more Kansas City Chiefs’ starting defense plays the better it looks Aug 23, 2021

Show notes

The Chiefs returned from Arizona with a victory in their second preseason game, a contest where the starters played well into the second quarter. The defense was terrific for a second straight game. The starting offense put together two long drives against the Cardinals’ starter but managed only three points. No cause for concern.

But there’s plenty to discuss when it comes to personnel. What will the Chiefs do at wide receiver, tight end and other positions. Roster decisions will soon have to be made and the Chiefs have many quality candidates at several positions. On today’s SportsBeat KC, beat writers Herbie Teope and Sam McDowell break down the roster.

Story links:

That’s a show: No need for Patrick Mahomes to take more risky snaps

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/vahe-gregorian/article253640688.html

Chris Jones is going to be a big problem for opponents

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/sam-mellinger/article253647478.html

Chiefs starters saw more action in win over Cardinals: Observations

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article253601118.html

FIve things that stood out in Chiefs win over the Cardinals

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article253645763.html

Chiefs grades: When starters played, defense dominated in victory at Arizona

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article253640873.html

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Another goal for Daniel Salloi, and Adrianna Franch comes home to Kansas Aug 20, 2021

Show notes

Daniel Salloi continued his magical season Wednesday evening with another goal. This one, in extra time, enabled Sporting Kansas City to salvage a draw against the visiting Portland Timbers. We asked soccer writer Shaun Goodwin where he would’ve placed Salloi on a list of preseason MVP candidates.

Also in this episode of SportsBeat KC, our daily sports pod: KC NWSL won its first game, then traded away its goalkeeper. Abby Smith was sent to Portland, and in comes Adrianna Franch, the Salina, Kansas native who started for the USWNT in the squad’s Olympic bronze-medal victory this month in Japan.

Story links:

KC NWSL new star goalkeeper Adrianna Franch is in KC for more than just soccer

KC NWSL breaks through for first victory

Salloi scores late as Sporting salvages draw

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Here’s who needs to make a good second impression for the Chiefs Aug 19, 2021

Show notes

Starters will see more action Friday when the Chiefs play their second preseason game, It might be an entire first half of snaps for the first team offense and defense as the regular season inches closer.

On today’s SportsBeat KC, beat writers Herbie Teope and Sam McDowell share what they expect to see when the Chiefs travel to Arizona, and who needs to make a good second impression.

Also on today’s show, the latest on Tyrann Mathieu’s contract extension and what the Chiefs might do with their wide receiver and tight end numbers.

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Chiefs’ camp at Missouri Western is over. Here’s a look at their final session and what’s next

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article253532269.html

Why Chiefs expect a big leap from Willie Gay in his second NFL season

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article253579914.html

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