SportsBeat KC

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You know about Mahomes’ toe. Focus on these Chiefs’ OTA story lines May 24, 2021

Show notes

Patrick Mahomes’ turf toe injury that figures to limit his availability during organized teams activities that begin on Tuesday will be a national storyline for the Chiefs, but the real news will be found on the offensive and defensive lines. We’ll start to get a sense of how those stack up over the next few weeks.

This is the spring football time for NFL teams, and no AFC team will be more interesting to follow than the two-time Super Bowl Chiefs. They have fewer questions than most teams and are considered the conference favorite once again. But there’s work to do. Beat writers Herbie Teope and Sam McDowell deliver the preview on today’s SportsBeat KC.

Story links:

Here are five situations to monitor as the Chiefs kick off OTAs

How a homegrown kid and former college walk-on got his chance with the Chiefs

Why the Chiefs coveted a rookie edge rusher who had zero sacks last season

Chiefs tweet

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Sporting KC looks to keep momentum rolling with inspired Daniel Salloi May 21, 2021

Show notes

Sporting Kansas City is coming off its most impressive victory of the season, 3-0 against Vancouver, and looks to carry some momentum into Saturday’s game at San Jose. Beat writer Shaun Goodwin tells us what to expect as Sporting hovers near the top of the MLS Western Conference standings.

Also, KC NWSL seeks its first victory on Sunday at Houston, where it previously dropped a Challenge Cup game. The team is coming off a scoreless draw in its opener. Also, how did Jordyn Listro go from selling medical supplies two years ago to a spot on the KC NWSL roster?

After a break, you’ll hear from Sporting KC keeper Tim Melia, who missed the season’s first five games with an injury and what it meant to return to action last weekend — as well as what’s ahead.

Story links:

Two years ago, she was selling medical supplies. Now she’s a key piece of soccer in Kansas City

With Melia back in goal, Sporting KC faces Wondo’s San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday

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These days, it’s never not college hoop recruiting season at KU May 20, 2021

Show notes

We’re deep into spring sports season and it’s … basketball recruiting season?

Yes, with the transfer portal spinning, players continue to find new homes and Kansas landed a pair of high scoring transfers this week. Jalen Coleman-Lands averaged 14 points for Iowa State last season. Remy Martin led the Pac-12 in scoring, averaging 19 points for Arizona State.

Both have committed to KU for their final. year of eligibility. There is some roster math to work out and beat writer Jesse Newell breaks it down with host Blair Kerkhoff on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast.

Also on today’s show: With Paul Pierce now in the Naismith Hall of Fame, who will be the next coach or player with KU ties to enter the Hall, and how is new football coach Lance Liepold’s staff coming along?

Story links:

KU Jayhawks get another commitment, this time from former Iowa State guard

Will Remy Martin make the NBA wait a year? That’s what it will take to play point at Kansas

New KU football coach Lance Liepold announces new staff. Here’s who will be retained

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Hear in-person interviews with some Mizzou Tigers, just like old times May 19, 2021

Show notes

On today’s SportsBeat KC, we catch up with Missouri Tigers coaches and administrators...in person. The occasion was the annual Tiger Takeover, a meet-and-greet with fans that happens in different corners of the state.

Chicken N Pickle in North Kansas City was the local stop and for the first time in more than a year, football coach Eli Drinkwitz, men’s basketball coach Cuonzon Martin, women’s basketball coach Robin Pingeton and athletic director Jim Sterk mingled, posed for photos and had fun with the fan base in an outdoor setting.

On today’s show, you’ll hear from Drinkwitz, who has made recent moves on his staff; Martin, who likes next season’s team even without stand players Jeremiah Tilmon and Dru Smith; and Sterk. The athletic director’s plate is always full, even more so after dealing with the pandemic and now name, image and likeness legislation passed in Missouri.

You’ll hear background noise during the interview, even a server asking if we needed drinks. It was wonderful.

Story links:

Mizzou Tigers coaches talked sports with fans...in person. Here’s what they said

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-missouri/article251518963.html

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

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/article251483608.html

Missouri bill enabling college athletes to be paid for name, image and likeness is passed

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-missouri/article251418738.html

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Good times, bad times for Kansas City Royals in only 40 games May 18, 2021

Show notes

They’ve been the best of teams, they’ve been the worst of teams. And in just 40 games.

After delivering a memorable April with baseball’s base record, the Royals managed to lose 11 straight in May. But that’s over now, and it’s fair to ask which of the Royals will we see more of going forward.

Beat writer Lynn Worthy and columnist Sam Mellinger answer that question and more in this episode of The Star’s daily SportsBeat KC podcast. (This particular program started as a SportsBeat Live show aired Tuesday morning.)

We begin this episode by reviewing the Royals’ painful loss at the Chicago White Sox on Sunday. KC seemed poised to finish off their third victory in four games against the division leaders, only to have it slip from their grasp.

Story links:

Keys to the series, game times, pitching matchups as Royals host Mlwaukee Brewers for two

Royals manager Mike Matheny on replay reviews: “I don’t know what they’re doing”

Mellinger MInutes: Maskless at The K, Royals stabilize, Chiefs worries...and UFOs

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Here’s how the Kansas City Chiefs rookies’ made most of first NFL camp May 17, 2021

Show notes

The Chiefs’ rookies got their first taste of the NFL during a weekend mini-camp.

There weren’t as many first-year players as in previous offseasons, and there wasn’t contact. But coach Andy Reid said he was happy with the event, and we hear from him and the Chiefs’ first draft pick, second-rounder Nick Bolton from Mizzou, in this episode of The Star’s daily SportsBeat KC podcast. You’ll also hear from Star beat writers Herbie Teope and Sam McDowell, who attended the mini-camp and heard what the rookies had to say.

The Chiefs have several more organized team activities (OTA) events before their summer break hits, but this was an important one in terms of getting the Chiefs’ first-year players acclimated to the NFL.

Story links:

Chiefs conclude rookie mini-camp, leaving Andy Reid happy. Here’s why

Chiefs rookie Trey Smith isn’t happy about the NFL Draft. But he’s moved on

Chiefs acquire cornerback Mike Hughes in trade with Minnesota Vikings

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Sporting KC can win the week, and Gold Cup provides another opportunity May 14, 2021

Show notes

Sporting Kansas City followed perhaps its most inspired effort of the season, a 2-1 victory over Austin FC, with a listless 1-0 loss at Houston. But the team gets a chance to win the week with a home match Sunday.

On today’s episode of SportsBeat KC, Aly Trost of SportsRadio 810 joins Shaun Goodwin in breaking down Sporting’s week and looking ahead to Saturday’s regular-season opener for KC NWSL. Also, the women’s team announced a roster addition that coach Huw Williams called “a difference-maker.”

Then there’s Kansas City’s opportunity to show it’s soccer interest once again with the announcement that five Gold Cup games are coming to Children’s Mercy Park in July. What can this mean for the city’s bid to become a World Cup host in 2026?

Story links:

Looking for a fresh start, she could be just what KC NWSL coach ordered

Children’s Mercy Park will host three Gold Cup games feature U.S. team this summer

Here is what Matt Besler wrote in letter he gave to Sporting KC supporters

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Kansas City Chiefs look forward to the challenge of 2021 schedule May 13, 2021

Show notes

You knew the opponents. Now you know the dates and kickoff times for the Chiefs’ 2021 schedule.

Any surprises?

On today’s episode of The Star’s daily sports podcast, SportsBeat KC, Chiefs beat writers Herbie Teope and Sam McDowell break down 17 games’ worth of an NFL schedule. One take: The Chiefs are favored to win a third straight AFC title and sixth straight division crown. They don’t look at the slate for soft spots or opportunities.

Indeed, they look forward to the challenge of playing (fill in opponent).

After a break, we discuss the Colts’ signing of tackle Eric Fisher, and the one-day contract presented to Tamba Hali and to make official his retirement as a forever-member of the franchise.

Story links:

Chiefs made a funny 2021 schedule video using Andy Reid’s oft-repeated phrase

Let’s take a guided tour through the Chiefs’ 2021 regular-season schedule

Tamba Hali is signing with the Chiefs again. Well, for one day, anyway

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Following sub-.500 seasons, K-State looks to boost football, hoops May 12, 2021

Show notes

Spring football is over and roster building is all but finished. Next stop for college football is the 2021 season. On today’s SportsBeat KC, Kansas State beat writer Kellis Robinett looks ahead at the Wildcats and Big 12 season with host Blair Kerkhoff. Can this team, which lost its final five games last season after a 4-1 start, push to the top half of the Big 12?

After a break, we switch to basketball and although the Wildcats finished with a dismal record (9-20), they played well at the end, pushed eventual NCAA champion Baylor in the Big 12 tournament, and there is reason to feel optimistic about next season.

Story links:

This week in K-State recruiting: Wildcats remain on lookout for football transfers

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/kansas-state/article251291154.html

Can Bruce Weber’s transfer-heavy roster reach NCAA Tournament next year?

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/kansas-state/article250633579.html

K-State Wildcats baseball team still has work to do for NCAA Tournament invite

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/kansas-state/article251159094.html

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Eight is enough as Kansas City Royals look for answers to halt skid May 11, 2021

Show notes

Maybe the day off is what the Royals need. They return to action tonight at Detroit in hopes of ending a losing streak made more painful because of where the team stood before the skid: In first place in the AL Central and with baseball’s top winning percentage.

On today’s SportsBeat KC, Star columnist Vahe Gregorian breaks down the malaise with host Blair Kerkhoff in a show that started as a SportsBeat Live. The conclusions: There are no quick fixes or new personnel moves that are going to change fortunes. The Royals must find a away to dig out of this with the players in the dugout.

Story links:

Key to the series, game times, as Kansas City Royals look to end slide in Detroit

Here’s what behind the Kansas City Royals tumble in the AL standings

Between brutal streak and extreme trends, real Kansas City Royals remain to be defined

With Kansas City Royals slumping badly, Hall of Famer George Brett has a suggestion

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