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Salvy’s back, Duffy gets ball, Opening Day shaping up for Royals Jul 15, 2020

Show notes

The Royals are another day closer to Opening Day and getting a little healthier. Catcher Salvador Perez participated in his first scrimmage on Tuesday and singled in his first at-bat. There will be three exhibition games in three days starting on Monday before the regular-season opener Friday.

Beat writer Lynn Worthy and Star columnist Sam Mellinger join Blair Kerkhoff on SportsBeat KC to talk baseball and how the Royals are shaping up for the shortened season. After a break you’ll hear from pitcher Tim Hill, a left reliever who despite health concerns, decided not to opt out on the season.

Story links:

Salvador Perez rejoins Royals’ camp after being cleared of COVID-19

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article244232232.html

Danny Duffy will start Royals’ season opener for third time in his career

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article244224172.html

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Talking about Chris Jones and the Chiefs’ offseason winning streak Jul 14, 2020

Show notes

It happened with a day to spare. Chris Jones remains a member of the Kansas City Chiefs with news that he and his camp agreed to a four-year deal Tuesday worth up to $85 million. The deadline to get a long-term deal done was Wednesday.

Thus, the Chiefs’ tremendous offseason continues, and the A-Team of Herbie Teope, Sam McDowell, Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian join host Blair Kerkhoff to break down the news on this episode of The Star’s daily SportsBeat KC podcast.

After a break, you’ll hear why Jones is one of the most popular players in the locker room.

Story links:

Chiefs, Chris Jones agree to terms on four-year deal worth $85 million, with $60 million guaranteed

Chris Jones has emerged as Chiefs star. But there’s tension back home in MIssissippi.

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Paying attention a critical step for Chiefs as they consider imagery Jul 13, 2020

Show notes

On Monday, Washington’s NFL team announced it was dropping the nickname “Redskins.” Other teams with Native American-related nicknames are examining their imagery and branding. The Kansas City Chiefs have made no statement about this, but Star columnist Vahe Gregorian spoke to college professors who are Native Americans about this topic. As one of the professors said “That’s probably the most hurtful thing. That people don’t want to pay attention to what we have to say.”

On SportsBeat KC, Gregorian chats with host Blair Kerkhoff about how the column came about and the reaction to it. After a break, you’ll hear from Sporting KC Coach Peter Vermes, who met with the media following the team’s heart-breaking 2-1 loss to Minnesota in the MLS is Back Tournament opener on Sunday.

Story links:

It’s time for the Chiefs to diffuse the cultural offenses they enable and reflect

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/vahe-gregorian/article244153762.html

Sporting KC blows 1-0 lead, loses starting keeper, loses to Minnesota 2-1 on two late goals

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/mls/sporting-kc/article244181062.html

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Sporting KC looks to make statements of play and protest in re-start Jul 10, 2020

Show notes

Soccer is the first professional team sport to return to action in the U.S., and Sporting KC gets back into action on Sunday against Minnesota. All Major League Soccer games are being played in Orlando, and re-starting competition isn’t the only message from the players.

A group called Black Players for Change, which include’s Sporting’s Khiry Shelton, made its first public demonstration before Wednesday’s first game in the MLS is Back Tournament. More than 170 players participated, some wearing “Silence is Violence” T-shirts, took part in the pregame protest. Sporting is expected to deliver a message before its opening game.

In a press conference setting in Orlando, Shelton, Matt Besler and Sporting KC coach Peter Vermes spoke to the re-start and demonstrations, as did Star beat writer Shaun Goodwin on SportsBeat KC with host Blair Kerkhoff.

Story links:

Sporting KC has set up camp at for MLS is Back, ready to play

Kansas City’s bid takes next step to bring 2026 World Cup to heart of North America

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A few early bumps but Royals bring right approach to restart Jul 09, 2020

Show notes

The Kansas City Royals are nearly one week into their restart, and they’ve hit a few snags along the way. Three front-line players have tested positive for COVID-19. But unlike other major league teams, there have been no opt-outs among the Royals, and new manager Mike Mathney said the team is taking the right approach into the season.

Royals beat writer Lynn Worthy has attended this week’s scrimmages and breaks down the re-start on SportsBeat KC with host Blair Kerkhoff. You’ll also hear from Whit Merrifield on why he believed it was important to return this season when other major league players have chosen to sit out, and from Matheny on why he believes the Royals are built for a short season sprint.

Story links:

Why the Royals are looking at this 60-game season as a “chance to do something special”

Two more Royals players test positive for COVID-19 coronavirus, joining Salvador Perez

Whit Merrifield said he had an obligation to his KC Royals family despite pandemic

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Is there a nickname difference between Chiefs and Redskins or Indians? Jul 08, 2020

Show notes

A topic that had been bubbling nationally for the past week or so was disrupted in Kansas City when Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes signed a 10-year contract extension on Monday. But sports nicknames that are based in Native American heritage is back on the table.

The Washington Redskins and Cleveland Indians are considering changes. What kind of conversation should the Chiefs be having?

Star columnists Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian join host Blair Kerkhoff on SportsBeat KC, The Kansas City Star’s daily sports podcast, to discuss how we got here, what changes the Chiefs should consider, what is the potential pushback, how the colleges have been ahead of the pros on this issue, and project what we might see from the teams.

Story links:

Redskins, Indians considering name changes. Is it time for the Chiefs to make a change?

How an offensive sign rekindled better relations between Chiefs, Native Americans

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Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid, Brett Veach talk Mahomes’ historic deal Jul 07, 2020

Show notes

On Monday, they bought champagne, posed for photographs and signed the paperwork. On Tuesday, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes talked about the richest contract in U.S. sports history, along with head coach Andy Reid and general manager Brett Veach. SportsBeat KC, The Kansas City Star’s daily sports podcast, has the entire conversation, including a few questions at the end posed by comedian David Koechner.

Mahomes speaks to why he sought to sign a lengthy deal. Veach details how the contract came together and when the process started. Reid explains what signing the quarterback who has won an MVP award and Super Bowl in his first two years as a starter means for his future.

Story links:

“A perfect place for me:” Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City have always been ideal marriage

Mellinger Minutes: On Patrick Mahomes’ money, sports and the virus. Plus Chris Jones

Patrick Mahomes’ current and former teammates were thrilled for him

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Patrick Mahomes has his half-billion. Now what for Chiefs? Jul 06, 2020

Show notes

He’s now the half-billion dollar athlete.

The Kansas City Chiefs announced at contract extension for Patrick Mahomes on Monday, a new deal that folds in the final two years of his rookie contract and tacks on 10 more for a total of $503 million. This makes Mahomes the highest paid athlete in sports.

What does this mean for the Chiefs going forward like the future of Andy Reid, the contract of Chris Jones? We cover the entire field on SportsBeat KC with Chiefs beat writer Herbie Teope, columnists Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian and host Blair Kerkhoff.

Story links:

Chiefs, Mahomes strike 10-year, half-billion deal, richest contract in pro sports history

Mahomes new deal is a record, and the Chiefs have been right about him every step

Patrick Mahomes’ 10-year contract is the best sports news for any team, anywhere lately

Patrick Mahomes breathes the rarified financial air of the highest paid athlete in the world

Chiefs fans are thrilled by the news of Patrick Mahomes’ monster contract extension

A liquor story employee scooped everyone on Patrick Mahomes’ extension with the Chiefs

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The chances of Chris Jones sitting out the 2020 season are... Jul 02, 2020

Show notes

The Chris Jones story took another twist this week with his tweet that hints of his sitting out the 2020 season instead of playing on the franchise tag. Jones dropped the name Le’Veon Bell, the running back to sat out the 2018 season, declining to play for the Steelers when the used a franchise tag on him for a second straight year.

On SportsBeat KC, Chiefs beat writers Herbie Teope and Sam McDowell break down the Jones’ contract situation and cover other topics like the reduced preseason schedule, who is also up for new contracts by next year and how Chiefs and other NFL players are handling the potential for increased injuries after not working out together as a team in the spring.

Story links:

Chiefs fans have mixed reaction to Chris Jones’ threat to sit out the 2020 season

NFL to cue preseason in half. Here’s what that would mean for the Chiefs

Chiefs’ Sammy Watkins, Tanoh Kpassagnon among notable players entering contract year

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Kansas State’s role in college football’s social justice movement Jul 01, 2020

Show notes

Kansas State joined the growing list of college football programs to take a stand against racism when the team threatened a boycott in response to a crude social media post that mocked the killing of George Floyd by a white Minneapolis police officer. The university and the athletic department posted action plans on Thursday that include social justice programs.

On Sportsbeat KC, K-State beat writer Kellis Robinett breaks down the series of events that started less than a week ago, starting with the student’s post, the football team’s reaction and that of university president Gen. Richard Myers. Also, we look at what’s happening at other college football programs around the nation.

Story links:

“We cannot violate the law:” Kansas State won’t expel student who made racist tweet

June 2020 will go down as month of college football activism....and social change

After his own experiences with racism, Zac Diles supports K-State football boycott

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