SportsBeat KC

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Talk about a Royals rally for the ages. Reliving Game 4 of 2015 ALDS May 04, 2020

Show notes

The Royals entered the 2015 MLB playoffs with the American League’s best record, but they always seemed to play from behind in the division series against the Houston Astros. Down two games to one and trailing 6-2 as they came to bat in the top of the eighth inning of Game 4 at Minute Maid Park, the Royals and their season were headed to a crushing conclusion.

Five runs and one insane rally later, the Royals were back in the driver’s seat.

In this episode of our daily SportsBeat KC podcast, Kansas City Star columnists Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian join host Blair Kerkhoff in reliving that division series. They zero in on the Royals’ Game 4 explosion, when Moose and company embodied their familiar exhortation to “keep the line moving.”

Also, you’ll hear game highlights from the television broadcast that day and how the Star’s reporters on the scene in Houston described that unlikely turn of events soon after it had concluded.

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Patrick Mahomes on a long-term deal, and Duvernay-Tardif on the pandemic front line May 01, 2020

Show notes

What does Patrick Mahomes think of the fifth-year option exercised by the Chiefs earlier this week, and of the possibility of signing an extension? Also, how much contact does Mahomes have with former teammate Alex Smith? Mahomes addressed those topics and more with reporters on Friday and the responses are here, on SportsBeat KC.

Also, there’s an NFL player on the front line of combating the COVID-19 coronavirus and it’s Chiefs offensive guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, who owns a doctorate in medicine. Duvernay-Tardif is working in a long-term care facility in his native Quebec, and we hear about his challenges dealing with the pandemic while maintaining a virtual workout routine.

Story links:

Chiefs exercise fifth-year option on Patrick Mahomes

In Laurent-Duvernay Tardif, Chiefs have the most interesting man in the NFL

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Keep the good-bye, bring the buyout is David Beaty’s message to KU Apr 30, 2020

Show notes

David Beaty stopped being Kansas’ football coach after the 2018 season, but he and the school haven’t quite cut ties. Kansas doesn’t want to pay Beaty a $3 million buyout because the school says he violated NCAA rules. The Beaty camp has disputed the level of alleged violations and wants his contract fulfilled.

KU beat writer Jesse Newell untangles the conflict at KU on SportsBeat KC with host Blair Kerkhoff. Other topics covered include the local tie to the latest additional to the Jayhawks’ basketball schedule, pay cuts for coaches and administrators and how the NCAA’s ruling to allow athletes to cash in on their name, image and likeness will impact the university.

Story links:

Judge: KU must hand over un-aired documentary video, Miles practice footage in lawsuit

KU’s Bill Self hopes name, image, likeness rule isn’t start of “Wild, Wild, West.”

KU verses Creighton in Allen Fieldhouse is a dream matchup for Eudora’s Mitch Ballock

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Feeling the optimism for baseball’s return with Royals’ GM Dayton Moore Apr 29, 2020

Show notes

Royals general manager Dayton Moore is an optimist by nature. Maybe he was simply looking at the bright side when he told reporters earlier this week that he believes baseball is on track to return. “I think we’re getting closer,” Moore said earlier this week. “I’m more hopeful today than I was yesterday. I think we’re really getting close to a plan than we can all rally behind and focus on....”

On SportsBeat KC, Royals beat writer Lynn Worthy talks baseball, the Royals, and some of the issues the game will confront like roster size when the game (hopefully) returns.

Story links:

Royals general manager Dayton Moore sees light at the end of the tunnel for Major League Baseball

How Abraham Lincoln, C.S. Lewis and David vs. Goliath are buoying Royals GM Dayton Moore

Does the disjointed season make it more likely the Royals will fast track prospects?

Safe at home but bored, Bubba Starling anxious to resume his fight for Royals roster spot

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Putting a bow on the Chiefs draft, and a thought on Dustin Colquitt Apr 28, 2020

Show notes

The business of NFL football has been on display the last few days for the Kansas City Chiefs. They wrapped up a draft and rookie free agent signing period on Sunday. The next day they released veteran punter Dustin Colquitt, who is the franchise leader in career games played and has been one of the team’s most outstanding citizens.

Star columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam Mellinger join Blair Kerkhoff to talk about the draft and how local perception might different than the national view. Also how Coach Andy Reid and general manager Brett Veach work well together. Later, you’ll hear from team Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt, who met with reporters on Saturday. He spoke to the team embracing the future as Super Bowl champion.

Story links:

Chiefs release Dustin Colquitt who bids farewell to teams, fans on social media accounts

Mellinger Minutes: Goodell shines (seriously!), Chiefs surprise, grading the grades

What makes Chiefs GM Brett Veach so vital to their success? Let’s start with cohesion

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Grading the Chiefs draft. Honor roll good? Apr 27, 2020

Show notes

The Chiefs draft haul of six players was widely appreciated by national critics, with most grading in the B-C range. That’s fine. Unlike nearly every team in the NFL, the Chiefs weren’t drafting to fill an immediate need with 20 of 22 starters returning from the Super Bowl championship squad.

Still, there were some intriguing selections and perhaps some immediate contributors. Beat writer Herbie Teope breaks down the six drafts selections, from top pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire to seventh-rounder “BoPete Keyes” and how they might fit into the Chiefs’ quest to repeat as NFL champion.

Story links:

Breaking down the Chiefs’ NFL Draft haul, projecting how each player fits, plus grades

Chiefs dive into the free agents. Follow along here to see who is coming aboard

Chiefs get good draft grades from pundits, but Pro Football Focus rips first pick

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Let’s talk about the newest Chiefs, Clyde Edwards-Helaire Apr 24, 2020

Show notes

The first night of the NFL Draft didn’t offer many surprises but one involved the Kansas City Chiefs. With the No. 32 overall pick, the Chiefs not only selected a position few expected but they took a player that draft experts didn’t have at the top of their lists, LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire.

Which might make this the best possible pick for the Chiefs. Edward-Helaire fits the mold of what the Chiefs want at that position with his pass catching ability and ball security. Last season, 36 percent of his rushing attempts went for touchdowns and first downs.

Star columnist Sam Mellinger joined Blair Kerkhoff for a live pre-selection prediction (hint: we missed), and general manager Brett Veach and Edwards-Helaire joined Chiefs reporters on a conference call.

Story links:

Chiefs select LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire in first round of 2020 NFL Draft

The enduring conflict of digesting Chiefs’ first-round pick (LSU’s Edwards-Helaire)

These six plays show new Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s versatility

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Final pre-NFL Draft podcast, before first post-NFL Draft podcast Apr 23, 2020

Show notes

It’s NFL Draft day! Finally a live sporting event to discuss, digest, get emotional over. It begins tonight with the first round and runs Friday and Saturday. This one will be different with the event taking place in the homes of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and personnel and coaches of each of the 32 teams. It was supposed to be in Las Vegas. But the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic ended those plans.

Sports in America shut down in early March, and the NFL Draft is about the first live sporting even to occur since then. We talk Chiefs’ draft possibility and beat writer Herbie Teope makes his final mock draft call for the Super Bowl champion. Also, Vahe Gregorian chats some draft history with host Blair Kerkhoff on SportsBeat KC.

Story links:

Patrick Mahomes said Chiefs have started “virtual OTAs” and he’s built an in-home gym

Chiefs pick last in the first round. Here’s are others who drafted 32nd

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Could top running back prospect be on board for Chiefs? Apr 22, 2020

Show notes

Running backs aren’t as popular in the NFL Draft as they once were. There might not be one taken in the first round on Thursday. What has become of the running back in the draft? With the Kansas City Chiefs selecting last in the first round, No. 32 overall, could the Super Bowl champion be in the market for a back? They haven’t selected a running back with their first-round selection since 2003.

Kansas Star columnist Vahe Gregorian and Blair Kerkhoff discuss the topic on SportsBeat KC.

Story links:

Chiefs pick last in the first round of the NFL Draft. Here are others who were drafted 32nd

NFL Draft primer: How Chiefs are approaching Thursday night kickoff of three-day event

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Adjusting to draft and possible Chiefs targets in first round Apr 21, 2020

Show notes

An NFL Draft unlike any other approaches. Commissioner Roger Goodell will be at his New York home conducting the event. Personnel from the 32 teams will be at their homes. Instead of glitzy Las Vegas, the COVID-19 pandemic has turned the draft into a remote operation. But the show goes on, and that’s great news for sports fans, longing for some live sports to follow.

Also in SportsBeat KC, Chiefs beat writers Herbie Teope and Sam McDowell discuss the issues with a virtual draft and break down what the Super Bowl champion Chiefs might be seeking in Thursday’s first round. The Chiefs hold the No. 32 pick.

Story links:

A case for (more!) defense: how the Chiefs might bolster roster though this year’s draft

Draft preview: Chiefs will still look at offense. Here are some prospect they might target

Chiefs fans: We need sports. The NFL Draft is about to provide some. Join us LIVE

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