Sportsbeat Kc

The Chiefs are having issues in the passing game. Patrick Mahomes seems a tick off. Travis Kelce isn’t getting open. The big plays aren’t there. Yet the Chiefs are the second highest scoring team in the AFC and take a 3-0 record into Sunday’s game at the Los Angeles Chargers. The rest of the NFL would love to have the Chiefs’ problems.On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast and youtube program, beat writer Jesse Newell and columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian discuss the issues with the Chiefs offense and how the defense has risen to the occasion, like the fourth-down stop by linebacker Nick Bolton to seal last weekend’s victory over the Atlanta Falcons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The math still favors the Royals making the MLB playoffs.With nine games left to play, they remain in possession of the second of three American League wild-card berths. But the race is getting tighter, and the Royals lug a four-game losing streak into their final home series of the season — which begins Friday against the San Francisco Giants.In this episode of SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Jaylon Thompson and columnist Vahe Gregorian assess the Royals’ postseason possibilities and what it will take to close the deal.The Royals’ turnaround this season — from 106 losses a year ago to clinching a winning record in 2024 — is already an amazing accomplishment. But to fall short of a playoff spot, after being in contention for several weeks, would be a gut-punch. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chiefs are 2-0 after their thrilling one-point victory over the Cincinnati Bengals last week, but they are not without concerns. Running back Isiah Pacheco is lost for an extended time with an ankle injury, and left tackle Kingsley Suamataia played so poorly last weekend he was benched.At running back, the Chiefs signed their former standout Kareem Hunt. We address why that might not be the best moveWe discuss those storylines and more on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, with beat writer Jesse Newell and columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell. We also look ahead to the Chiefs’ first road game, against the Atlanta Falcons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

By the length of a toe, the Chiefs clinched an opening night victory over the Baltimore Ravens and now look ahead to a Week 2 encounter with the Cincinnati Bengals.On SportsBeat KC, beat writer Jesse Newell and columnist Sam McDowell break down the dramatic triumph with an emphasis on the performances of wide receiver Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy plus offensive tackle Kingsley Suamataia.What worked for the Chiefs, and what are the concerns heading into Sunday’s game against the last team to defeat them in a postseason game? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chiefs’ 65th season with the prospect of making NFL history. The team will attempt to become the first to win three straight Super Bowls. It starts on Thursday with a banner-raising home game against the Baltimore Ravens.Do the Chiefs have what it takes to accomplish the unprecedented feat? On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Jesse Newell joins columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian to discuss the Chiefs’ prospects, starting with the Thursday night opener against the Baltimore Ravens.The Chiefs are the Super Bowl favorite, but they enter the season with questions. We explore all angles of the NFL’s top team on this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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As the final preseason game for the Chiefs approaches, the battles intensify for the roster spots. On this episode of SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Jesse Newell and columnist Vahe Gregorian discuss what factors are considered when arriving at the 53-man roster.The Chiefs play host to the Chicago Bears on Thursday at Arrowhead, and neither teams starters are expected to play. But in some ways it will be the most dramatic game of the preseason.Which positions groups have the most and least clarity? And is it possible the Chiefs could look outside their roster to find answers at certain positions? Who is on the bubble? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One Chiefs preseason game down, two to go. On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, we review the Chiefs’ loss at the Jacksonville Jaguars, starting with the running back position.It seemed easy in the preseason with Isiah Pacheco and Clyde Edwards-Helaire leading the way. But the picture isn’t as clear now with Edwards-Helaire missing several practices with illness and the emergence of undrafted rookie Carson Steele.Also, we break down other positions like defensive end, cornerback and wide receiver. The next game, at Arrowhead against the Detroit Lions on Saturday, should provide more answers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The quest for a third straight Super Bowl and fourth in six years begins for the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday with the preseason opener at the Jacksonville Jaguars.There is plenty familiar about these Chiefs, starting with stars like Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Chris Jones, but there is much to discover.On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Jesse Newell and columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian discuss what they’re more looking forward to seeing from the Chiefs this weekend. Position battles, new faces, new schemes and even a new kickoff rule.And there can’t be a Chiefs discussion without commenting on the wide receivers. We don’t always agree on how this position group will shake out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Missouri Tigers are coming off their best season under Eli Drinkwitz and are poised for even more success.On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, columnist Sam McDowell discusses what went right for Mizzou in a season that finished with a Cotton Bowl triumph over Ohio State and No. 8 final ranking and what could be in store for the Tigers.Also, Coach Eli Drinkwitz shares his thoughts on this season when he met with reporters at SEC Media Days. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Full-squad training camp is underway for the Chiefs, but discussion around the team’s future home never stopped.Renovate Arrowhead Stadium or build a new structure? In Missouri or Kansas?On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, columnist Sam McDowell and beat writer Jesse Newell analyze the decisions confronting the Chiefs after chairman and CEO Clark Hunt addressed the stadium issue Monday at Missouri Western in St. Joe.Also, early training camp talk has focused most often on one player: rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy, whose dynamic reception on a deep pass from Patrick Mahomes provided a strong indication of what the Chiefs want from their offense this fall. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Four Royals players contributed to the American League’s 5-3 victory over the National League in baseball’s 94th All-Star Game played in Arlington, Tex. Starting pitchers Cole Ragans and Seth Lugo each pitched a scoreless inning and they took the field with shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., and catcher Salvador Perez.On SportsBeat KC, the Star’s sports podcast, Royals beat writer Jaylon Thompson discusses the Royals’ performance in the midsummer classic and what lies ahead for the team that has played beyond expectations so far this season.We discuss the recent draft and first-round pick, Florida first baseman Jac Caglianone, the trade that brought Washington Nationals reliever Hunter Harvey to Kansas City and how the bullpen may be reshaped. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Big 12 sure looks different these days. This week, 16 schools brought football players and coaches to Las Vegas for the league’s annual media days. Newcomers Arizona, Utah, Colorado and Arizona State participated. Founding members Oklahoma and Texas did not, having shipped off to the SEC.But there is something familiar about the league. Kansas State is expected to be good, again. On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Kellis Robinett broke down the 2024 Wildcats, along with the remainder of the Big 12 and believes K-State should be one of the league’s top two years, which would put it in the conference championship game.Also, are the Wildcats poised to become the Big 12’s new power broker, with the Sooners and Longhorns gone? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From the late 1970s into the 1980, Tom Watson dominated golf. Five British Open championships among his eight major titles and 39 PGA Tour titles -- not to mention six major titles on the Champions Tour -- rank him among the game’s greatest ever.And he’s Kansas City’s own. Born and raised here, Watson has always called Kansas City home. In a conversation with The Star, Watson emphasized his local roots and explained how being from the Heartland could be an advantage on the Tour.He covers a range of topics on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, including the most important victory of his career (It’s not one of the majors), what Jack Nicklaus said to him near the final moments of the dramatic 1977 British Open championship known as the “Dual in the Sun,” and what prompted him to become a professional. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There’s less rest for the Super Bowl champion, which plays the final game of the previous season and the first of the next. But no complaints from the Chiefs, who squeezed in a White House visit and ring ceremony around their off-season workouts.On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Jesse Newell puts a bow on the off-season and tackles the impending decisions at such positions as wide receiver and left tackle. And which rookies could make an immediate impact.How do the two-time Super Bowl champion Chiefs set up for the three-peat quest? It begins next month when training camp begins at Missouri Western State. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Has Sporting Kansas City reached a pivot point similar to last year? The club can only hope said. After an awful start in 2023, Sporting rallied with a super second half that continued with a spirited playoff run.This season? After a somewhat encouraging start, Sporting dropped seven straight to drop into last place. Like last year, Sporting ended its woes with a victory over Seattle, and now we’ll see if history can repeat itself.Star columnist Sam McDowell breaks down the season, projects what changes may be coming and the status of manager Peter Vermes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Only 16 teams remain in the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship, and one of them is Kansas State. For the second time in program history the Wildcats have reached the Super Regional. Find a way to win twice at Virginia this weekend and K-State’s Bat Cats will play at the College World Series in Omaha, Neb., for the first time.On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Kellis Robinett discusses how Kansas State reached this point Hint: It started when Coach Pete Hughes started putting together this season’s schedule.Also on the show, a first look at the college football season and the Big 12 without Texas and Oklahoma, and the implications for schools that will now share revenue with its athletes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Often when a baseball record is set, it occurs during game with fanfare. Not this time. The integration of Negro Leagues statistics into Major League Baseball that has resulted in new leaders atop some lists, happened decades later, and determined by a committee.A Negro Leagues slugger, Josh Gibson, has surpassed Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb in a couple of batting categories, and some who started their career in the Negro Leagues before moving to MLB -- Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays and others -- had numbers added to their stats.On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian discuss baseball’s move and its impact. You’ll also hear from Negro Leagues Baseball Museum President Bob Kendrick, who shared his thoughts on the development and answers questions at a news conference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2014, the Royals were scuffling around the All-Star break, falling a couple of games under .500 and looking like the postseason drought, nearing three decades, would continue. But the Royals put together a sizzling second half and qualified for the playoffs.There, they made history, becoming the first team to win the first eight games of a postseason. The quest reached Game 7 of the World Series, where the Royals fell short to the San Francisco Giants and Madison Bumgarner.Last week, many of the players and coaches from 2014 returned to Kansas City for a reunion and celebration, and on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, you’ll hear from manager Ned Yost, first baseman Eric Hosmer, third baseman Mike Moustakas and outfielder Alex Gordon. All played major roles in the team’s success that year and the next when they finished the job by capturing the World Series.On this episode, the conversations stay mostly with the 2014 season and team, as Yost, Hoz, Moose and Gordo relive one of the Royals’ greatest

Only the NFL could turn its schedule announcement into an event. And we even know the opponents.On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, Chiefs beat writer Jesse Newell previews the unveiling, and what’s known so far. The Chiefs first’ two games have been identified: home contests against the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals. What does that mean for the rest of the slate?Also discussed: What move can the Chiefs made at wide receiver now that free agent Zay Jones has signed with the Arizona Cardinals; an appreciation for Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who has signed with the Buffalo Bills; impact of new kickoff rules; and do you prefer game shows or horror shows? Travis Kelce is involved with both. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices