SportsBeat KC

Latest Episodes:

Standing at the intersection of sports and protest Jun 02, 2020

Show notes

The role of teams and high profile athletes in times of protest and unrest is the topic on today’s SportsBeat KC. Kansas City Star columnist Vahe Gregorian and Star news reporter Glenn Rice join host Blair Kerkhoff in discussing the protest scene in Kansas City and how some of the Chiefs and other teams have reacted to the developing story.

Also, what was Kansas City’s response to previous moments of unrest and confrontation? Rice recalls the city in 1968 in the aftermath of Dr. Martin Luther King’s assassination and more recently the Chiefs and city’s response to the NFL’s reaction to Colin Kaepernick’s take-a-knee protest three years ago.

Plus we hear audio from Big 12 men’s basketball coaches in a message of unity and from NBA player Malcolm Brogdon, who spoke to protesters in his Atlanta hometown.

Story links:

Monday protest in Kansas City: More tear gas, at least 20 arrests follow mayor’s march

Royals say they “stand in solidarity and peaceful protest” with black community

Chiefs players, Royals players, Sporting, other teams share #BlackoutTuesday posts

Big 12 men’s hoop coaches use teamwork to issue anti-racism statement via video

Mellinger Minutes: There’s sports stuff here. Even some positive! But first real life

Chiefs tweet 0602

Royals tweet 0602

Big 12 tweet

Sporting KC tweet 0602

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With treatment of employees, minor leaguers, Royals set baseball’s example Jun 01, 2020

Show notes

The Royals made news on Friday with the organization saying it would continue to pay its minor league players, more than 200 of them, throughout the summer. The minor league season is in doubt because of COVID-19. Also, general manager Dayton Moore said that Royals employees would avoid furloughs and layoffs even with baseball’s future uncertain.

We’ll hear from Moore, Royals beat writer Lynn Worthy and Star columnist Sam Mellinger on this move that has received overwhelmingly positive reviews in the sport, and talk about the future of the baseball season on SportsBeat KC with host Blair Kerkhoff.

Story links:

Royals won’t layoff or furlough baseball operations employees despite MLB uncertainty

Royals will pay their minor-league players, won’t cut any, despite new MLB mini-trend

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Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Mitch Schwartz indulging passions waiting for sport to return May 29, 2020

Show notes

Chiefs first-round draft pick, Clyde Edwards-Helaire is confident he’s doing all he can from his Louisiana home to prepare for life NFL. He also has some non-football passions that’s helping pass the time until he can arrive in Kansas City. You might be surprised to hear what’s keeping him busy.

Chiefs’ fans know about the non-football interest of veteran offensive tackle Mitchell Schwartz. He loves to cook, and Schwartz shares what he’s been up to in the kitchen and Edwards-Helaire talks football on SportsBeat KC.

Story links:

The Chiefs have a crowd at running back. Will it be Edwards-Helarie, Williams or committee?

For Chiefs, other teams, concerns about NFL’s return go beyond coronavirus protocols

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What’s known, and isn’t, about college football as return dates are set May 28, 2020

Show notes

The college football calendar is starting to populate with dates toward a return, with major conferences like the Big 12 establishing reporting days for players. On-campus team activities can start as soon as June 15.

Teams will proceed with caution, but these are important first steps back for college sports, which have been shelved since mid-March, when the COVID-19 pandemic reached a crisis pitch.

What will the return of sports on college campuses look like, and what are the concerns? On this episode of The Star’s daily SportsBeat KC podcast, Big 12 beat writers Jesse Newell (who covers Kansas) and Kellis Robinett (Kansas State) of The Star and Wichita Eagle are joined by TCU reporter Drew Davison of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram in breaking down college football’s knowns ... and unknowns.

Story links:

KU Athletics announces across-the-board pay cuts, furloughs in response to COVID-19

What happens if KU or K-State football games get canceled next season?

Being a season ticket holder might not guarantee a season at TCU football games this fall

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Debating Kansas City sports history in lists May 27, 2020

Show notes

Everyone has their list of greatest plays or moments in Kansas City sports history, or least their favorites. The Star is putting together a list that asks the question: Do you remember where you were when this play happened? It could be from a Chiefs Super Bowl, a Royals World Series, a Final Four or bowl game. But it was that moment that likely changed the outcome and led to a huge victory.

The Star’s Pete Grathoff, who with SportsBeat KC host Blair Kerkhoff, launched the list this week, and they’re joined by columnists Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian. Sam also explains his recent project, the top 50 most influential people in Kansas City sports history.

Story links:

Counting down biggest plays in KC sports history: 11-15

Counting down biggest plays in KC sports history 16-20

Counting down biggest plays in KC sports history 21-25

Counting down the biggest moments, plays that shaped Kansas City sports history

Ranking the top 50 most influential people in KC sports history. Yes, all time

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In dugout with Royals during Edinson Volquez’s Game 1 World Series drama May 26, 2020

Show notes

Game 1 of the 2015 World Series arrived on the same day as the death of Edinson Volquez’s father, Danio. The news reached Royals general manager Dayton Moore, who relayed it to manager Ned Yost, before Volquez knew. With game time approaching and Volquez slated to take the ball for the Royals, a decision was needed. Would the team let Volquez know?

The team made the call in consultation with the Volquez family. Edinson wouldn’t be told. He pitched six solid innings and the Royals went on to win in 14 innings. On today’s SportsBeat KC, Yost recounts the hours before the game and what communication was happening behind the scenes with Star columnist Vahe Gregorian and host Blair Kerkhoff.

Story links:

In postseason of epic Royals comebacks, none were more poignant than Edinson Volquez’s

Relive the crowing of the 2015 Royals: Here’s how they won it in Game 5

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Go ahead, NFL, change the onside kickoff rule. Mahomes’ Chiefs are ready May 22, 2020

Show notes

One shot at a fourth-and-15 from the kicking team’s 25 instead of an onside kick when trailing?

Give the Chiefs some of that. That proposal is on the board, and Chiefs coach Andy Reid was asked about it Friday. Reid’s response: He’s old-school enough to not want the change and smart enough to know that with Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs would have an advantage in that situation.

Reid covered several other topics on this episode of The Star’s daily SportsBeat KC podcast, including the prospect of playing without fans, how the Chiefs’ coaches can begin to make evaluations on players they’ve only seen work out via tape thus far and the importance of staying in touch with guys virtually, given the circumstances.

Story links:

Andy Reid, Super Bowl champion Chiefs prepare for....whatever comes next

Make it, take it? NFL proposal could give Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes more possessions

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Drama on field and in press box as Royals crowned World Series champions May 21, 2020

Show notes

The Royals had pushed through the Houston Astros in the division series and the Toronto Blue Jays to win the American League. It was on to the World Series for the second straight year. The series tone was set in Game 1 against the New York Mets. Alex Gordon’s dramatic home run in the ninth sent the game to extra innings and the Royals won in 14. In five games, they captured the second World Series championship for the franchise.

Star columnists Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian along with SportsBeat KC host Blair Kerkkhoff were part of the coverage team, and so was Royals beat writer Andy McCullough. In his two years in Kansas City, McCullough, who now works for The Athletic, covered two World Series. On today’s episode, he joins his former colleagues in remembering the Royals of 2014 and 2015 with an emphasis on the 2015 World Series and a Game 5 performance every bit as clutch as Eric Hosmer scoring from third base in the ninth to tie the game.

Story links:

Reliving the crowing of the 2015 Royals. Here’s how they won it in World Series Game 5

In a postseason of epic Royals comebacks, none were more poignant than Edinson Volquez’s

That time the Royals changed Kansas City’s relationship with baseball forever

Andy McCullough: “It was time to win. Inside the Royals’ trade for James Shields and Wade Davis

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Chiefs coordinators speak to how newcomers might fit in May 20, 2020

Show notes

For the first time since Super Bowl week, Chiefs coordinators Eric Bieniemy, Steve Spagnuolo and Dave Toub met the media, and there was plenty of ground to cover. Bieniemy’s offense returns nearly all the firepower from last season and has added first-round draft pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire.

On defense, the Chiefs selected linebacker Willie Gay in the second around and picked up a former first-round defensive end Taco Charlton. What plans does Spagnuolo have for them? And as special teams coordinator, Toub gets to work with players on both sides of the ball. Hear all of the coordinators on SportsBeat KC.

Story links:

How the Chiefs will handle their backfield with Clyde Edwards-Helaire in the mix

Chiefs’ Eric Bieniemy is focused more on doing his job than changes to NFL’s Rooney Rule

Chiefs’ Dave Toub anticipates “true” competition between new punters Newsome, Townsend

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How will schools like Mizzou take advantage of new likeness rule? May 19, 2020

Show notes

The college basketball season abruptly because of the COVID-19 pandemic but the business of college hoops continues. Missouri Coach Cuonzo Martin chatted with Star beat reporter Souichi Terada and SportsBeat KC host Blair Kerkhoff about the Tigers’ season, what to expect next year and how Martin is communicating with his team in a shutdown environment.

Also, student-athletes will soon be able to take advantage of their name, imagine and likeness. How will Martin and Mizzou use this new reality in recruiting?

Story links:

Mizzou basketball: Martin discuss NCAA’s ‘likeness’ rule, what he’s reading and more

Missouri basketball lands Class of ‘21 commitment from three-star guard in Springfield

With football season uncertain, Mizzou’s Jim Sterk talks potential path to return

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