SportsBeat KC

Latest Episodes:

A visit to the center of the College Football Playoff universe May 18, 2020

Show notes

Where else would the heartbeat of the College Football Playoff be but Prairie Village? That’s where Bill Hancock lives, and he’s the executive director of the organization that operates college football’s national championship. Recently, Star columnist and SportsBeat KC host Blair Kerkhoff visited Hancock, on his driveway. We pulled up chairs, maintaining social distancing.

We talked about college football in the COVID-19 world, how Hancock and the CFP staff is making things works away from the suburban Dallas home office and where Bill and his wife Nicki where—and about to go—when they heard the news that sports were being shutdown.

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Should he stay or should he go... approaching third base. Mike Jirschele makes the call May 15, 2020

Show notes

My eyes have always enjoyed Mellinger MInutes, you know the Tuesday column on steroids by the Kansas City Star’s Sam Mellinger. Now, I get to add a sense: Mellinger MInutes for Your Ears. Sam and producer Savanna Smith have been putting together this podcast since late March and it’s been terrific stuff. Sam’s landed some great guests and he answers your sports questions.

This week Royals third base coach Mike Jirschele visits with Sam about the two biggest decisions in his career involving sending/holding a runner. You know them: holding up Alex Gordon in the ninth inning of Game 7 in the 2014 World Series, and sending home Lorenzo Cain in the eighth inning of Game 7 in the 2015 American League Championship Series.

And there’s this thing about Arby’s fish sandwiches.

All the subscriber-exclusive episodes are available at www.kansascity.com/mellingerpodcast.

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Catching (up with) Kelce and how Chiefs will remain motivated as champs May 14, 2020

Show notes

The Chiefs will have the same identity and same hunger for 2020 that they brought into their Super Bowl championship season.

That’s the sense from Pro Bowl tight end Travis Kelce. He covered several topics this week, including enjoying the Super Bowl afterglow, dealing with Covid-19 and the inspiration for his stage performance at the Union Station portion of the Super Bowl parade. Remember, Kelce fights ... for your right ... to parrrrrttttaaayyyy. He even gave reporters on a midweek Zoom call a tour of his expansive shoe closet.

After a break on this episode of The Star’s daily SportsBeat KC podcast, we spend a few minutes with new Chiefs defensive end Taco Charlton. The former first-round pick is on his third team in four years, and the one-time Michigan teammate of Frank Clark hopes this will be his most productive stop.

Story links:

Why Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is more prepared for a virtual off season than most

Now on third team as a former first rounder, Chiefs’ Taco Charlton eyes rebound in KC

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The joy and chore of chasing .400, 40 years later with George Brett May 13, 2020

Show notes

In 1980, the sports world was focused on Kansas City and George Brett. Could he become the first player since Ted Williams in 1941 to hit .400 in a season. Brett came as close as anyone, carrying a .400 batting average as late as mid-September before “settling” for a .390 average.

Brett recalls that summer of fun and some frustration on SportsBeat KC with Star columnist Vahe Gregorian and host Blair Kerkhoff. Brett started slowly that season but it was about this time 40 years ago that he heated up, and by mid-August he topped .400 for the first time. Then things got crazy.

Story link:

About to turn 67, Royals icon George Brett reflects on 50 years with franchise and KC

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Cain’s dash, Davis’ toughness marked Royals’ 2015 ALCS conclusion May 12, 2020

Show notes

The 2015 American League Championship Series matched the Royals against the Toronto Blue Jays, and although Kansas City never trailed in the series the six-game set was filled with huge moments, clutch plays and intense drama.

The comeback that started with a misplay pop fly in Game 2, the Lorenzo Cain dash around the bases and Wade Davis’ closer role extended by rain in Game 6 were some of the memorable moments relived on SportsBeat KC with columnists Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian and Blair Kerkhoff.

Story links:

Relive the crowning of the 2015 Royals: Here’s a flashback to ALCS Game 2

Relive the crowning of the 2015 Royals: Here’s a flashback to ALCS Game 1

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A Chiefs schedule of prime time games and future Hall of Fame quarterbacks May 11, 2020

Show notes

The NFL schedules are out, and who has a tougher opening month than the Chiefs? Four games, three division champions from last season and two on the road. Chiefs beat writer Herbie Teope weighs in on the good and bad of the Chiefs’ 2020 slate, and picks some matchups he’s excited about. One or two may surprise you.

After a break, we’ll hear from undrafted free agent punter Tommy Townsend. It’s not often rookie punters are in the spotlight. But Townsend is the leading candidate to replace a legend, Dustin Colquitt. Hear what Townsend had to say about that prospect on SportsBeat KC.

Story links:

How to follow an “absolute legend?” Tasked with succeeding Colquett, Townsend will try

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article242546416.html

Chiefs will play in NFL opener on TNF. Here is the full schedule and all of its details

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article242565301.html

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Stakes are high in the NCAA-KU battle. And both sides have much to lose May 08, 2020

Show notes

In March, Kansas delivered its response to the NCAA’s Notice of Allegations, which consisted of five Level 1 violations against Bill Self’s men’s basketball program. On Thursday, The NCAA responded to KU’s response ... forcefully. In 92 pages, the NCAA laid out its case against the Jayhawks.

Star beat writer Jesse Newell has been on top of the story through all of the filings and helps break down the NCAA’s latest salvo on this episode of The Star’s daily SportsBeat KC podcast. What’s at stake for Kansas, what are the possible outcomes and what’s next on the timeline? These topics are covered by Newell and host Blair Kerkhoff.

Story links:

NCAA goes hard at Bill Self. But lawyers say, “it’s only reinforced (his) resolve”

Mellinger: The NCAA’s case against KU continues, and KU is continuing to fight the wrong battle

NCAA fires back at KU, alleging “egregious, severe” violations by Bill Self’s program

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How Sporting KC felt to be 1st KC pro sports athletes back on the field May 07, 2020

Show notes

The first Kansas City pro athletes have returned to the practice field. It wasn’t a full-go workout for Sporting KC, but they were one of a handful of Major League Soccer teams to get back to some limited action Wednesday and Thursday. And it felt great, said team captain and veteran defender Matt Besler, even as COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic precautions were exercised, too.

On this episode of the daily SportsBeat KC podcast, you’ll hear from Besler, Sporting KC president and CEO Jake Reid, who discusses the financial impact of lost months of the MLS season, and soccer reporter Shaun Goodwin.

Story links:

Sporting KC players, including Besler, resume workouts at Pinnacle per MLS guidelines

SKC president wants to be first U.S. sports league back, KC to host games as “hub”

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Remembering what made Royals’ 2015 season special with Ned Yost May 06, 2020

Show notes

Not the most talented team Ned Yost had managed or coached, but the 2015 World Series champion was the closest and most clutch. They proved it time and again in the playoffs and World Series, with eight of their 11 victories posted in comeback fashion.

Yost joined Star columnist Vahe Gregorian and SportsBeat KC host Blair Kerkhoff in a conversation about how he, the staff and front office had to suffer through some growing pains to reach the top, and how coming up just short in the 2014 World Series served as motivation for the 2015 team.

Also, Yost details the decision to return to the mound Wade Davis in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series against the Toronto Blue Jays, after a 45-minute rain delay and more than an hour between pitches for his dominant closer.

Story links:

Ned Yost reflects on Royals’ rise, a vast 90-foot contrast, and when 2015 championship sunk in

What we remember from the Royals ALDS-clinching Game 5 vs. Astros

2015 flashback: Stories, photos, pages from Royals’ Game 5 ALDS clinching victory

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How Taco Charlton fits in with Chiefs, plus staying motivated with Tyrann Mathieu May 05, 2020

Show notes

The Chiefs landed their second first-round pick from the 2017 draft. If this one turns out as well as the first one...The Chiefs have signed Taco Charlton. He was the 28th overall selection of the Cowboys in 2017 and Kansas City is his third team in four years. Also in that draft, quarterback Patrick Mahomes, taken 10th overall.

Beat writer Herbie Teope talks Taco Charlton and other Chiefs topics like the release of longtime punter Dustin Colquitt and the upcoming NFL schedule release. After a break, you’ll hear from Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu on how he’s remaining in shape and motivated while remaining at home.

Story links:

Chiefs agree to terms with still-young former first round draft pick Taco Charlton

Chiefs 2020 schedule to be released Thursday as part of NFL Network show

Chiefs Tyrann Mathieu shares story of making Philip Rivers regret his trash-talking

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