SportsBeat KC

Latest Episodes:

Fans were on their game at Children’s Mercy Park, but Sporting KC wasn’t Aug 26, 2020

Show notes

Fans clicked through the turnstiles for Kansas City’s first pro sports game since March Tuesday night, as Sporting KC played host to the Houston Dynamo at Children’s Mercy Park. Seating was limited to about 2,300 spectators, but they were loud, energetic and appreciated by coach Peter Vermes and the players.

If only they were rewarded with a better result. Sporting KC fell to the Dynamo 5-2 in a game that got out of hand in the second half. “This is one of those times where you say it’s a bad day,” Vermes said. “It happens sometimes. ... After 30 minutes or so, we started chasing shadows.”

Star columnist Sam Mellinger and beat writer Shaun Goodwin attended the game — masks on, of course — and share their observations here with host Blair Kerkhoff on SportsBeat KC, The Kansas City Star’s daily sports podcast.

Story links:

s:Sporting played Kansas City’s first game with fans in months. Here’s what it felt like

Sporting KC, back in action with fans in the stands, coughs up 5-2 loss to Houston

The fans return: Limited capacity crowd cheers on Sporting KC at Children’s Mercy Park

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Even in fewer games, KU seeks to at least match 2019 victory total Aug 25, 2020

Show notes

The 2020 college football was supposed to start this weekend with a handful of games followed by the traditional full slate of games over Labor Day weekend. There won’t be a grand opening for the sport this season. But a staggered beginning with Big 12, ACC and other conferences starting Sept. 12 and SEC schools on Sept. 26.

But every day there’s more news about COVID-19 on campus that makes you think a bubble is the best solution to get in a season. But teams are practicing and planning for openers. On today’s SportsBeat KC, the Kansas City Star’s daily sports podcast, Kansas beat writer Jesse Newell talks college sports and the questions facing the Jayhawks this season.

Can Kansas match last year’s victory total of three games, even with two fewer games on the schedule? What’s the quarterback situation and who could emerge on defense? We even get into a little basketball. Because, Kansas.

Story links:

Why the success of KU’s footbal offense could come down to four letters: “WWDD?”

KU Jayhawks football has a new season opener. It will be against a familiar opponent

Former KU football player Isi Holani dies at age 24. Teammates reflect on his impact

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chiefs to fans: If you’re coming to practice, wear the mask Aug 24, 2020

Show notes

Fans in the stands - the Chiefs were the first in the NFL to make that happen in a preseason practice. It wasn’t the same as a training camp morning at Missouri Western in St. Joseph, where up to 5,000 would attend. But Chiefs players said they enjoyed having the energy of some 2,000 fans in the stands on Satruday.

But were they practicing safety measures in the COVID-19 pandemic? Several fans were shown on social media accounts not wearing masks. They’ll get another chance this Saturday, when some 5,000 people are expected to attend practice. So, no headdress, but masks.

Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid addressed having fans in the stands and several other topics when addressing media. You’ll hear those comments on SportsBeat KC, The Kansas City Star’s daily sports podcast.

Story links:

Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes emphasize the importance of wearing masks at Arrowhead Stadium

The Chiefs practiced with 2,000 fans are Arrowhead. Masks were required, not always worn

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

No headdresses or Native-style face-paint at Arrowhead. What’s next? Aug 21, 2020

Show notes

As you’d expect, reaction has been swift and full-throated from Chiefs fans and others about the team’s announcement it’s banning headdresses and Native American-style face-painting at Arrowhead Stadium.

The team said it made the decision after years of consulting with local leaders from Native American backgrounds. Those discussions have been happening since 2014.

Some fans say the team has gone too far with these changes, and that it will hurt fan engagement. Others say the Chiefs were long overdue in implementing these things.

The Chiefs have expanded their talks with national interest groups on this topic and said in their Thursday statement that they are still considering the future of other Arrowhead traditions, such as “The Chop” and the pre-game beating of their war drum. They also said they’re exploring a more formalized education program about Native American culture.

On this episode of SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast, columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam Mellinger join host Blair Kerkhoff to discuss. Each has written about the topic of appropriation of Native customs and imagery, and in this podcast they debate whether the team has made the right moves and/or gone far enough, and what might be next for the organization.

Story links:

Chiefs to ban fans from wearing headdresses and will review Arrowhead chop at stadium

A statement from the Kansas City Chiefs

Chiefs fans have mixed opinions about whether Arrowhead chop should remain

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Another dazzling performance by Royals starter Brad Keller Aug 20, 2020

Show notes

For a pair of teams chasing. .500 records, plenty happened in the Royals split of a double header with the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday. In the opener, Brad Keller was dazzling again. He ran his shutout total to open the season to 17 2/3 innings, and is having the best start by a Royals pitcher since Zack Greinke won the Cy Young Award in 2009.

In the second game, Matt Harvey made his Royals debut. The former Mets’ starter who faced the Royals twice in the 2015 World Series looked good early but got roughed up in the third inning. The Royals’ plans for Harvey? Beat writer Lynn Worthy breaks it down with SportsBeat KC host Blair Kerkhoff.

Story links:

Moustakas finally returns to KC but Keller’s dominance helps shut out his Reds

Royals fall to Reds in Matt Harvey’s debut and Jesse Hahn’s return

Reds’ broadcaster uses homophobic slur during Wednesday’s game against the Royals

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SportsBeat KC: Sporting KC restarting its season...again. This time with fans Aug 19, 2020

Show notes

Sporting KC is on the verge of a season restart ... for the second time. Every Major League Soccer team was inactive for COVID-19 until the MLS is Back Tournament reopened the season last month. Once the knockout round started, losing teams were finished at the Orlando site and returned home to await the regular season re-start.

For Sporting KC, that will have been more than three weeks between games when the team takes on Minnesota United FC on Friday. That game in Minnesota. Sporting returns home on July 25 and some 2,500 fans will be allowed to watch from Children’s Mercy Park, making Sporting KC the first Kansas City team to allow fans.

Sporting beat writer Shaun Goodwin discusses the second re-start and fans in the stands, along with several other topics on SportsBeat KC with host Blair Kerkhoff. After a break, you’ll hear from Sporting KC CEO Jake Reid, who met with reporters last week to discuss the details of fans returning to see live action.

Story links:

Sporting Kansas City CEO discusses decision to let fans back in stadium for home games.

Sporting KC unveils schedule for remainder of 2020 with reduced capacity at home games

St. Louis’ new MLS team accidently leaked its name and crest before unveiling

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Limited number of fans will be allowed at Arrowhead Stadium. Good idea? Aug 18, 2020

Show notes

Fans are returning to Arrowhead Stadium this season.

The Chiefs announced earlier this week that about 16,000 fans will be allowed to attend home games, at least the first three. Tickets will be sold in “pods,” with up to six seats in each pod. The pods will be spread throughout the stadium.

It will be a different fan experience, as it as it is for every sport in the COVID-19 world. Star columnists Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian tell us what they think of the decision to allow fans on today’s episode of the daily SportsBeat KC podcast, hosted by Blair Kerkhoff.

After a break, Sam speaks about his column from Sunday and where, and how, high school sports fit right now. He interviewed coaches, administrators and parents about this subject, and came up with conclusions that you might not expect.

Story links:

Chiefs will allow fans at home games this fall. Here is the capacity they’ll welcome

Not “100 percent full proof:” KC health director on decision to allow Chiefs fans this season

High school football’s happening this fall, in some places at least. Let’s unpack that

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kelce getting paid and quite the compliment for Patrick Mahomes Aug 17, 2020

Show notes

The tight end position in the NFL has been undervalued, but players like the Chiefs’ Travis Kelce and the 49ers George Kittle are beginning to change that. The Chiefs recently announced an extention for Kelce that will pay him an average of $14.3 million annually. WIth four straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons, five Pro Bowls, two All-Pro honors and a big role in helping the Chiefs win the Super Bowl, Kelce deserves to be paid like a major contributor.

Also, how exactly did Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy compliment quarterback Patrick Mahomes? Hear it and Mahomes’ response on SportsBeat KC, the Kansas City Star’s daily sports podcast.

Story links:

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce got a big raise. But he still might be underappreciated. Let’s access.

Why Chiefs offensive coordinator Bieniemy called Patrick Mahomes a “competitive (jerk)“

Fresh off new contract, Travis Kelce unveils big plans to help inner-city kids

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A day like no other for the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum arrives Sunday Aug 14, 2020

Show notes

Sunday will be a day like no other for the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, which is celebrating the 100-year anniversary of the league’s founding in Kansas City. Every team throughout baseball will honor the Negro Leagues and the museum during Sunday’s games. Players, coaches and umpires will wear patches and museum president Bob Kendrick will be making appearances on broadcasts throughout the day culminating with an appearance on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball.

The celebration has taken many forms this year. Toyota has a commercial that features a former Kansas City Monarchs player. Former pitching star C.C. Sabathia has collaborated on a Negro Leagues clothing line and sharing proceeds with the museum. Four former U.S. Presidents led the way with a tip-your-cap salute to the Negro Leagues.

Kendrick wasn’t sure a celebration would work in the COVID-19 pandemic spring and summer. But he had faith in the idea and the exclamation point comes Sunday in baseball stadiums around the country. Kendrick shares his thoughts on the day and how it came about on SportsBeat KC with host Blair Kerkhoff.

Story links:

Bob Kendrick: Negro Leagues players set a world-class example of determination

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Was there even a decision for SEC when it came to a football season? Aug 13, 2020

Show notes

The drama in college football this week involved the Big Ten, Pac-12 and the Big 12. Would their conferences have fall sports, including football? That never seemed to be doubt in the SEC. The league issued a statement on Tuesday that called for a “safe return to sports,” by Commissioner Greg Sankey.

On SportsBeat KC, beat writer Souichi Terada talks about moving forward in football at Mizzou and the SEC. How are the Tigers handling the COVID-19 pandemic and how the program fared when the conference issued a new football schedule. Also you’ll hear from football coach Eli Drinkwitz, who met with reporters on Wednesday.

Story links:

So far, so good: Mizzou football has low COVID-19 rates, no opt-outs, and, still, a season

Pac-12, Big Ten won’t play football this fall. Big 12, SEC, ACC on track toward kickoff

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected