SportsBeat KC

Latest Episodes:

On Kowar’s debut (yikes), and another IL stint for Mondesi (sigh) Jun 08, 2021

Show notes

In his major league debut, Jackson Kowar got a out on his second pitch. After that? Oof.

Kowar didn’t make out of the first inning on Monday night against the Angels, and the discouraging first start is the primary topic on today’s SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast.

The show, which started as a SportsBeat Live with beat writer Lynn Worthy and columnists Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian, also covers the latest on Adalberto Mondesi, who has returned to the injured list. What do make the the team’s most injury-prone player who also happens to arguably be their best?

Story links:

Jackson Kowar can’t make it through the first inning of his major league debut

Adalberto Mondesi goes on IL after missing fourth game in a row

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Talking KU, Mizzou battling for KC hoop talent & Kelly in Vegas firing Jun 07, 2021

Show notes

The Kansas City area has a pair of highly ranked basketball prospects in the Class of 2022, and Bishop Miege’s Mark Mitchell is ranked in the Rivals.com top 10, and Blue Valley’s Aiden Shaw is in the top 60. Both have Kansas and Missouri listed for visits, and Mitchell appears to be headed to Sunrise Christian Academy next season. Will Shaw also head to a prep school?

Gary Bedore brings us up to date on the recruiting front, and Jesse Newell has some news about the latest additions to the KU football team — all from one school.

After a break, Kellis Robinett talks Kansas State and the predicament of Kelly Stewart, the K-State grad who has made for herself as an oddsmaker in Las Vegas. Her contract with ESPN was recently pulled. Robinett has the latest.

Story links:

DiRenna Award winner Mark Mitchell to leave Bishop Miege for Sunrise Christian

Jayhawks football lands three more transfers from Buffalo

ESPN fires former K-State student Kelly Stewart as betting analyst for deleted tweets

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Staying hot (or getting hot) is shared aim of Sporting KC, KC NWSL clubs Jun 04, 2021

Show notes

Kansas City’s professional soccer teams, Sporting KC and KC NWSL, are moving in opposite directions. Sporting is on fire, the winner of three straight and climbing into second place in the MLS Western Division standings.

KC NWSL is struggling. Winless in its four regular-season games, the expansion team has been held without a goal in three. Two draws means they’re only one victory away from moving up in the standings. Perhaps it comes on Sunday at Legends Field against Houston?

Shaun Goodwin, who covers soccer for The Star, discusses the fortunes of the two teams with host Blair Kerkhoff in this episode of our daily Kansas City sports podcast, SportsBeat KC.

Story links:

Soccer moms: How KC women’s pro soccer players with kids balance duties of life, work

Busio’s goal provides the spark for Sporting in KC’s home victory over the Houston Dynamo

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Here’s what Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid said about a possible 20-0 season Jun 03, 2021

Show notes

The Chiefs are now in Phase 3 of their offseason program. There’s no live contact, so this is a time for the quarterbacks, wide receivers and defensive backs to make plays. It’s also a time for in-person meetings and classroom instruction, which makes it vital for rookies and other newcomers, including coaches.

The Chiefs provided updates with reporters Thursday. Coach Andy Reid, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and star QB Patrick Mahomes all took to the stage. As you might expect, Mahomes’ goal of a 20-0 record got plenty of attention, as did the new faces on the team’s offensive line and how the defense is emphasizing effort in the red zone.

On today’s episode of The Star’s daily SportsBeat KC podcast, you’ll get to hear what they had to say.

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20-and-0 for the 2021 Chiefs? The quest for perfection on the table Jun 02, 2021

Show notes

So, 20-0?

What an accomplishment that would be, the greatest season in NFL history. Patrick Mahomes tossed it out there last weekend in an interview at his charity golf tournament in Hawaii. Not a bold statement or declaration, but in the context of wanting to set a team and not a personal record.

On today’s SportsBeat KC, beat writers Herbie Teope and Sam McDowell join host Blair Kerkhoff in discussing the difficulty of the task and other Chiefs’ related topics, including the importance of new defensive tackle Jarran Reed.

Story links:

Ex-Chiefs player approves of Patrick Mahomes’ 20-0 goal for the Chiefs

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for-petes-sake/article251806538.html

How Chiefs’ new O-line (aka protection for Mahomes) is getting acquainted

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article251753358.html

Travis Kelce intrigued by thought of Julio Jones joining KC Chiefs

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for-petes-sake/article251683183.html

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The full Adalberto Mondesi experience in one game Jun 01, 2021

Show notes

Monday provided the full Adalberto Mondesi experience. He blasted a long home run, turned in a web gem. And suffered an injury. The Royals won the series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates to maintain their current pace. Can they keep it up if Mondesi’s hamstring requires down time?

Beat writer Lynn Worthy and columnist Vahe Gregorian discuss the Monedsi and all things Royals on today’s SportsBeat KC with host Blair Kerkhoff. We break down the latest developments with the lineup and rotation and wonder what the Royals need to do to keep pace in the AL Central.

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Sporting legend honored, one in the making and oh, those KC NWSL kits May 28, 2021

Show notes

Sporting Kansas City announced this week that former goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen is a Sporting Legend and will be honored as such at a game next month. The team has a current player who is playing like a legend lately.

And SKC striker Alan Pulido is on an amazing run. In the past two games, he’s scored three goals, assisted on another and had something to do with the other two. Sporting won both matches.

In this episode of the daily SportsBeat KC podcast, Aly Trost of WHB 810 a.m., and Shaun Goodwin, who covers soccer for The Star, break down Pulido, Sporting KC and KC NWSL, which continues to seek its first victory but is looking sharp so far. Listen as we explain.

Story links:

Jaylin Lindsey scored first MLS goal as Sporting KC bakes the Quakes in San Jose

After missing first-half chances KC NWSL is put away by Chicago in league home opener

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When it comes to Chiefs’ defense, this is point of emphasis during OTAs May 27, 2021

Show notes

Last season, the Chiefs owned the best record in football, but not all phases of the game worked as well as they could have. The team finished last in the NFL in red-zone defense, surrendering touchdowns on nearly 73 percent of opponents’ drives that reached the 20-yard line.

Why is this significant in May? Safety Tyrann Mathieu and linebacker Anthony Hitchens said lowering that percentage has been the emphasis in the early days of organized team activities, or OTAs — voluntary offseason workouts.

Also, Mathieu was asked about a tweet he deleted involving his contract. You’ll be interested in his response in this episode of SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily podcast about sports.

Story links:

Mahomes missed Day 3 of OTAs, but he’s been slinging it

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Everybody’s getting theirs soon ... including the college athletes May 26, 2021

Show notes

College sports stands at the doorstep of one of the biggest changes in its history. Soon, athletes will be able to cash in on their name, image and likeness. The roll out for this change is messy. The NCAA has wanted Congress to pass legislation. But states are taking the initiative and five that have passed laws could enter this new world on July 1.

Recruiting is a big concern, if some states get the jump on the new rule. But eventually, at every school athletes will be able to earn money for endorsements, autograph sessions, camps and other sources that had not been available.

On today’s SportsBeat KC, beat writer Jesse Newell and columnist Vahe Gregorian talk about name image and likeness. How did we get here and how will college sports be impacted?

Story links:

Why KU, K-State are worried about falling behind Mizzou (and others) and others in sports recruiting.

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/sam-mellinger/article251571963.html

How a former Shawnee Mission West linebacker is changing the college sports landscape

https://www.kansas.com/sports/article251483608.html?bm-verify=AAQAAAAD_____6Ut1d4oEjyzsJluVqGOH585QM4PjnZjG4dxuYVnv4GQL3Ldlle_db0IokqT_--bm2ZEQ4cY6LZlwanEKzN6a1RnBZWMNc-iXw9lJkGd6DUt6HfFjKR7k2K2Y1Ga6414tDtI4I5yddodmS_phEiKewL1trNX2PL_F64k9kaeMlVLaFI7wbgRF6XHMwrV4G1owEKMbwoyWQetkR_pgrS0tQY41UbfrH8DYx8VMkx0rnAx9UAks2CO7osPl9H14oDH6H1IqBGm7Q

ESPN: Everything you need to know about NCAA’s NIL debate

https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/31086019/everything-need-know-ncaa-nil-debate

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Kansas City Royals’ pace is two steps forward, one (big) step back May 25, 2021

Show notes

The on/off Royals are on again, having won six of nine and the latest one in dramatic fashion. Carlos Santana’s walk-off two-run homer beat the Detroit Tigers on Sunday and moved the Royals to one game below .500.

But look out. Next up is a trip to Tampa Bay where the Rays have won 11 straight. On today’s SportsBeat KC, Star columnists Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian break down the latest stretch of success and look ahead to this week.

Also on the topic list: The next time the Royals play at Kauffman Stadium, there will be no limited seating. It will be the first time since 2019 that every ticket will be available for purchase.

Story links:

Keys to the series, game times, as Royals hit the road to play Tampa Bay Rays

What sports leaders, and all of us, gain by encouraging, not demanding, vaccinations

Mellinger MInutes: Are the Royals back?

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