SportsBeat KC

Latest Episodes:

Coaching success marked 2010s in KC sports. Also, 2020s predictions Dec 31, 2019

Show notes

The 2010s brought incredible coaching stability to Kansas City pro sports teams and area college teams. In the second part of The Star’s decade-in-review, columnists Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian join SportsBeat KC host Blair Kerkhoff discussing Andy Reid, Ned Yost, Peter Vermes, Bill Self, Bill Snyder and Gary Pinkel. Also, what’s in store for the 2020s? The panel offers its predictions.

Story links:

Chiefs Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes were meant for each other

How Ned Yost and the Royals brought out the best in each other

Peter Vermes will be back, but Sporting KC will enact changes. Among them? Spending

From Naismith to Self: How eight coaches in 120 years of KU hoops got their jobs

The 18th choice for the job: Bill Snyder’s legacy via former K-State president Jon Wefald

Gary Pinkel transformed Mizzou football program

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How good was Sunday for the Chiefs? They won twice Dec 30, 2019

Show notes

No Wild Card round playoff game for the Chiefs, who felt like they won twice Sunday. They won their way out next week’s schedule with a victory over the Chargers and the Patriots upset loss to the Miami Dolphins. Star reporters Herbie Teope and Sam McDowell joined columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam Mellinger in breaking down the 31-21 victory over the LA Chargers and prospects in the postseason, which now begins for the Chiefs on Jan. 11 or 12.

Story links:

Chiefs handle own business against the Chargers, get gift win via Dolphins to claim No. 2 seed - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article238803193.html

‘You know we’re living right.’ Chiefs take AFC No. 2 seed to begin quest in earnest - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/vahe-gregorian/article238801948.html

The Chiefs win and get a bye, but it’s not all good news. On the change now required - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/article238801788.html

Just like last season, Chiefs running back Damien Williams rounding into playoff mode - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article238813158.html

The Chiefs stole the AFC’s No. 2 seed and their sideline erupted in chaos - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article238813348.html

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K-State’s bowl challenge, plus Patrick Mahomes on staying focused Dec 27, 2019

Show notes

The college football bowl season is in full swing and Kansas State’s postseason game approaches. Beat writer Kellis Robinett tells us what’s in store for the Wildcats when they take on Navy, the nation’s top rushing year, in the Liberty Bowl on New Year’s Eve. Also, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes met with reporters to break down Sunday’s regular-season finale against the LA Chargers and the team’s prospects heading into the playoffs.

Story links:

Chris Klieman losing sleep over Navy’s offense as K-State prepares for Liberty Bowl

Chiefs’ keys vs. Chargers: Win game you should win, don’t let Austin Ekeler run wild

Why Tyrann Mathieu and the “Honey Badger” were at odds and how they came to co-exist

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Chiefs playoff possibilities and who is the team MVP? Dec 26, 2019

Show notes

The Chiefs conclude the 2019 season against the Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium with playoff seeding uncertainty. But some potential matchups are better than others. Sam Mellinger, Sam McDowell and Herbie Teope discuss the playoff possibilities on Facebook Live, now a SportsBeat KC podcast presented by Big O Tires. Also, who is the Chiefs MVP? The panel and viewers weigh in.

Story links:

Chiefs place running back Spencer Ware on injured reserve, activate Xavier Williams - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article238710293.html

“You never know in this business:” Why Chiefs will play their starters in Week 17 - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article238702263.html

Mellinger Minutes: So much Chiefs, plus playoff stuff and KC’s best football players - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/sam-mellinger/article238659753.html

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Parade, draft, college shuffling biggest KC sports stories of 2010s Dec 24, 2019

Show notes

The 2010s are closing. What were the biggest stories on the Kansas City sports scene in the decade? The Star’s Sam Mellinger, Vahe Gregorian and Blair Kerkhoff identified the news that shaped the sports and the region’s scene. The Chiefs, Royals and colleges are represented in this SportsBeat KC podcast, the first of two conversations about the decade. The second will be posted next Tuesday.

Story links:

Royals are World Series champs

For the first time since ‘83. Chiefs draft quarterback in the first round, Patrick Mahomes

Game on: KU, Mizzou agree to six-year resumption of men’s basketball rivalry

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How did Chiefs dominate Bears? Let’s count the ways Dec 23, 2019

Show notes

The Chiefs walloped the Chicago Bears 26-3 on Sunday Night Football at Soldier Field and Herbie Teope, Sam McDowell, Same Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian were to talk about it. What didn’t go well for the Chiefs? The defense continued its dominant play. Patrick Mahomes threw two touchdown passes and ran for another. Harrison Butker kicked a career long 56-yard field goal. One game remains in the regular season but the Chiefs look playoff-ready and we discuss on SportsBeat KC presented by Big O Tires.

Story links:

Gregorian: Giving up 3 touchdowns in 5 games, Chiefs defense has gone from farce to force

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/vahe-gregorian/article238647068.html

Mellinger: What Mahomes told his teammates about his 10 count and why he did it (beyond the obvious)

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/sam-mellinger/article238648493.html

The Chiefs at their best is a picture that includes Damien Williams

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article238646488.html

Chiefs looking ready for playoffs after blowout road victory over Chicago Bears

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article238638403.html

Chiefs grades: Kansas City produces a nice report card to bring home for holidays

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article238643813.html

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Continued excellence is Vlatko Andonovski’s task as USWNT coach Dec 21, 2019

Show notes

No small task for Kansas City’s Vlatko Andonovski, just maintain the excellence of the world’s best women’s soccer club, the two-time defending World Cup champion U.S. women’s national team. In an interview with Star columnists Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian and host Blair Kerkhoff on SportsBeat KC, Adonovski said he’s up to the challenge. He also discussed his days as an indoor soccer player and coach, women’s professional league coach and growing up in a soccer-centric family in Macedonia.

Story links:

Vlatko Adonovski’s unlikely path from Skopje to KC to leading U.S. women’s soccer

U.S women’s soccer team has a new coach, Kansas City’s Vlatko Andonovski

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Talking Chiefs, Pro Bowl meaning, Christmas present memories Dec 19, 2019

Show notes

The Kansas City Chiefs added a key component in defensive lineman Terrell Suggs, the Pro Bowl rosters were released and the Chiefs take on the Chicago Bears and former assistant coach Matt Nagy on Sunday. There was plenty to discuss on when Chiefs beat writer Herbie Teope joined Star columnists Vahe Greorgian and Sam Mellinger along with host Blair Kerkhoff at Big O Tires in Olathe on Thursday.

Story links:

After talk with Reid, Terrell Suggs knew he wanted to play for Chiefs: “Let’s do it”

Chiefs Pro Bowl reaction: Praise for selections, disappointment for snubs

Chicago Tribune: Why did the Chicago Bears draft Mitchell Trubisky over Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes?

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Meet the newest Chief, Terrell Suggs. And how will KU handle No. 1? Dec 18, 2019

Show notes

The Chiefs claimed seven-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Terrell Suggs this week, and Suggs told reporters Wednesday he’s happy to be joining a playoff-bound team that likes to play basketball in the locker room. And quarterback Patrick Mahomes shared his thoughts on the acquisition and other topics.

Also, KU beat writer Jesse Newell is covering the nation’s top-ranked team. He talked about what’s gone right the Jayhawks since their opening loss to Duke and previews KU at Villanova this weekend.

Story links:

Chiefs claim veteran pass rusher Terrell Suggs off waivers

Although Ravens didn’t try to claim Terrell Suggs, their fans are mad at Chiefs

Kansas Jayhawks ascend to No. 1 in Associated Press men’s basketball poll

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Did the Royals plant seeds for future moves at recent winter meetings? Dec 18, 2019

Show notes

The Royals don’t often make a splash at baseball’s winter meetings but plant seeds for future moves. Royals beat writer Lynn Worthy joined Star columnists Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian around the hot stove to discuss the club’s early offseason moves and project what lies ahead for the organization, including such players as Whit Merrifield, Hunter Dozier and Alex Gordon, on SportsBeat KC, presented by Big O Tires.

John Sherman may want Royals run differently than how they’ve operated for past decade

Royals set to give Ryan O’Hearn every chance to win first base job in spring training

Royals probably won’t rush to sign free agents, Moore said, but later deals possible

Despite Hunter Dozier’s success, Royals will explore options at third base

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