SportsBeat KC

Latest Episodes:

How Kansas basketball got better this week without adding any players Jul 07, 2021

Show notes

The Kansas Jayhawks didn’t add a new player to their basketball roster over the past week, they simply kept the ones who were eligible to return. And those players could push KU to a preseason No. 1 ranking.

The latest to withdraw their names from the NBA Draft consideration are Ochai Agbaji and Arizona State transfer Remy Martin. Late last week, Jalen Wilson made the same decision.

The conclusion: KU will be loaded for 2021-22.

On today’s episide of SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast, beat writers Jesse Newell and Gary Bedore discuss recent news and what it means for the Jayhawks and coach Bill Self.

Story links:

Remy Martin’s dad says it’s disappointing NBA didn’t invite son to G League camp

Marcus Garrett likes KU’s chances in 2021-22: “Best team in the country now.”

Ochai Agbaji withdraws from NBA Draft and will return to KU

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Finding meaning in second half of the season for Kansas City Royals? Jul 06, 2021

Show notes

Catching up with the Royals means breaking down the latest news. Andrew Benintendi is back, or at least he was for one game. Brad Keller and Mike Minor pitched well the previous two games but the Royals lost them both. Salvador Perez is in the Home Run Derby, and Bobby Witt Jr. and Nick Pratto will be in the Futures Game.

Looking ahead, what should the Royals objectives be now that the season has crossed the midway point? In last place in the AL Central, is it time to look ahead to 2022 and start reshaping the lineup and rotation?

On today’s SportsBeat KC, beat writer Lynn Worthy and columnist Vahe Gregorian discuss that topic and more with host Blair Kerkhoff.

Story links:

Reds get to Mike Minor quickly in seventh, and Royals lose series opener

Royals general manager Dayton Moore on losing: “I’m not making excuses for anybody.”

Check out these 25 best-ever games involving Kansas City-area teams What did we miss?

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Lifiting spirits at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum with Bob Kendrick Jul 02, 2021

Show notes

The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum is a Kansas City and baseball treasure ... and so is its, president Bob Kendrick. Fortunate are those whose tours through the building at 18th and Vine are led by this man.

And now, Kendrick and the museum are bringing its history to the digital world.

Negro Leagues 101 is a daily video collection that commemorates the 101st anniversary of the establishment of the Negro Leagues. Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association don’t often see eye to eye, but they do for this project.

On today’s episode of SportsBeat KC, our landmark 500th in The Star’s daily KC sports podcast series, Kendrick sits down with host Blair Kerkhoff to discuss that project and other topics, too, such as the importance of incorporating Negro Leagues numbers into MLB’s stats. And no conversation with Bob would be complete without discussing Buck O’Neill.

Story links:

Black Diamonds: Podcast showcasing Negro League history

Negro Leagues 101

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Gianluca Busio taking game to a national level, and KC NWSL getting closer to victory Jul 01, 2021

Show notes

Sporting Kansas City can’t seem to lose these days. And they’re winning dramatically with their tendency to fall behind early. It helps to have players like Gianluca Busio, who has been named to the national team that will play in the Gold Cup next week.

On today’s SportsBeat KC, The Star’s soccer coverage team of Shaun Goodwin, Briar Napier and Cora Hall join host Blair Kerkhoff to discuss Busio and what might be his short future with Sporting KC as he’s getting more interest from European clubs. Also, KC NWSL is getting closer to victory but can’t get over the hump.

We wrap up talking the compelling Euro 2020 and one of the group has a strong rooting interest. (Hint: He’s from Liverpool).

Story links:

Sporting KC’s Busio gets the call, will play for U.S. at home later this month

Women’s soccer fandom in KC, where advocacy, inclusion, devotion take front-row seats

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Defensive end options for Kansas City Chiefs + handling favorite’s role Jun 30, 2021

Show notes

The Chiefs are off running camps and playing charity basketball games in this time between mandatory mini-camp and training camp but the conversation never ends. On today’s SportsBeat KC, beat writer Sam McDowell and columnist Vahe Gregorian discuss Frank Clark and the defensive end position, and what is like to be the NFL favorite according to oddsmakers.

Yes, the Chiefs are the top choice, and this stretch of expectation is new to Kansas City sports fans. Our teams have won championships but they’ve rarely been widely acknowledged as the league’s best. It’s a different feeling, a superiority complex? How will the Chiefs and their fans handle it?

Story links:

Thanks to Travis Kelce, Chiefs fans will get free beer this fall

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for-petes-sake/article252434048.html

Tyreek Hill and Chiefs teammates put on show at charity basketball game

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for-petes-sake/article252415623.html

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Let’s talk about decisions to shake up Royals by manager Mike Matheny Jun 29, 2021

Show notes

Change has come to the Kansas City Royals. Nothing major, but manager Mike Matheny moved Jorge Soler to No. 2 in the batting order and created a hybrid responsibility for Danny Duffy. On today’s SportsBeat KC, beat writer Lynn Worthy and columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam Mellinger break down the moves with host Blair Kerkhoff.

Also, the championship round of the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska, provides the opportunity to discuss Vanderbilt starting pitcher Kumar Rocket, a popular choice for the Royals in mock brackets. The baseball draft starts on July 11.

Story links:

Emmanuel Rivera makes an immediate mark for Royals in major league debut

Royals jostle lineup, batting order in hopes of igniting offense against Red Sox

Mellinger Minutes: Let’s have an honest conversation about the Royals. Also: nonsense

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Kansas City’s Vlatko Andonovski feels pressure and joy of coaching USWNT Jun 28, 2021

Show notes

Every time he pulls on a USA shirt, U.S. Women’s National Team coach Vlatko Andonovksi feels pressure. He wouldn’t have it any other way.

Andonovski is preparing the national women’s soccer team for the Olympics next month in Tokyo, a competition the U.S. is favored to win. That’s the case no matter the event, but the stakes are higher for the two-time defending World Cup champions. In the previous Olympics, the U.S. didn’t reach the podium.

Andonovski, who calls Kansas City home and coach’s the city’s former NWSL team to two league championships, spoke with Star columnist Vahe Gregorian and SportsBeat KC host Blair Kerkhoff earlier this month about the excitement of the task, the pressure, his life in Kansas City and more.

The interview was recorded before the 18-member Olympic team was selected. The final roster was announced last week and here to introduce it on today’s show is none other than Coach Ted Lasso and his AFC Richmond assistant Coach Beard. Actors Jason Sudikis and Brandon Hunt had the honors on social media last week.

Story links:

He’s Vlatko: How a Kansas City treasure will represent U.S., city at Olympics in Tokyo

Vlatko Andonovski names 2020 U..S Olympics Women’s soccer team

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Daniel Salloi stays hot for Sporting + a home goal (finally) for KC NWSL Jun 25, 2021

Show notes

It was a 3-1 final-score week for Kansas City soccer teams. Sporting Kansas City came out on top, while KC NWSL did not.

In this episode of SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast, we talk about both teams’ results with Shaun Goodwin, Cora Hall and Briar Napier.

Once again, Daniel Salloi was the story for Sporting KC. He played one of his best games yet on Wednesday, befuddling the Colorado Rapids with two goals and an assist.

KC NWSL, meanwhile, got on the board at home for the first time in the regular season and took a rare lead with Marianna Larroquette’s goal. But the Orlando Pride quickly responded, then scored twice more in the second half.

We talk about these games, the teams’ upcoming schedules and take a stab at who will win Euro 2020.

Story links:

Daniel Salloi’s two goals and an assist push Sporting Kansas City past Colorado Rapids.

Peter Vermes’ connection to Hungarian soccer about more than signings, family stories

KC NWSL scores first home goal of the season, but a former KC star lifts Pride

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With all the changes coming to college sports, Kansas State will be ready Jun 24, 2021

Show notes

Name, image and likeness...expanded College Football Playoff...Supreme Court ruling, so many changes are coming to college sports. How will they impact the schools?

Kansas State beat writer Kellis Robinett and SportsBeat KC host Blair Kerkhoff discuss the changes and how it affects the Wildcats on today’s show.

K-State, like many schools, has been active in the transfer portal, and the odd path of a football newcomer appears to have concluded with good news for the WIldcats.

Story links:

Previous Supreme Court case against NCAA created conditions for latest conditions

K-State Q&A: Thoughts on more football transfers and Manhattan’s recruiting appeal

Wildcats, Tigers and even Jayhawks in College Football Playoff? It would have happened

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Breaking down Frank Clark’s story, and what could happen next for Chiefs Jun 23, 2021

Show notes

Chiefs defensive end Frank Clark has been arrested twice in the off-season with similar circumstances. In March and last Sunday he was stopped while driving in California and both times a gun was visible in the vehicle. That’s a felony in California. Both times, Clark posted a $35,000 bond.

Next is consideration of the incidents by the team and the NFL, which can suspend a player. Unlawful possession of a weapon outside the workplace is covered under the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy.

Beat writer Sam McDowell speaks with SportsBeat KC host Blair Kerkhoff about the incidents. McDowell is covering the news for The Star and has spoken to the Los Angeles Police Department, along with gathering comments from the NFL and Chiefs.

Story links:

NFL reviewing Frank Clark gun arrests. What we know about his situation

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article252279428.html

NFL Personal Conduct Policy

https://www.gloriaallred.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/1200518/2021/01/Commissioner-Goodell-NFL-Personal-Conduct-Policy-09-29-14.pdf

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