Greg Echlin

The Young Guys Let Down Royals, Again

Greg Echlin — Wed, 29 May 2013 12:41:40 +0000

What started out promising has turned into another nightmare for the Kansas City Royals.

The Royals managed only two hits--both by last year's All-Star, Billy Butler--against St. Louis Cardinals pitching Tuesday night.

Much of the Royals' high hopes depended on the production of the young players they've developed such as Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas. But they've been disappointing.

Manager Ned Yost is preaching patience.

Watson Has Eyes On Another Senior PGA Championship

Greg Echlin — Thu, 23 May 2013 12:46:00 +0000

Because of a hand injury last year, Tom Watson was unable to defend the last tournament he won, the Senior PGA Championship. But he’s healthy now and in the frame of mind to win another championship.

This year’s Senior PGA Championship takes place at the Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis, MO.

Though Tom Watson is 63 now, he’s not ready to give in easily to age. He compares his attitude to another legendary golfer, Arnold Palmer.

KU Basketball Signs Top High School Recruit

Greg Echlin — Tue, 14 May 2013 22:16:48 +0000

The prospects for next season's Kansas Jayhawks' basketball season got a huge boost Tuesday.

Andrew Wiggins, the consensus pick as the nation's top-ranked high school basketball player signed a letter-of-intent to play for KU.

Wiggins is a 6-foot-7 forward who can score. He grew up in Canada, but spent last season at Huntington Prep in West Virginia.

Wiggins chose KU over Kentucky, Florida State and North Carolina.

He announced his decision in a private gathering in West Virginia, one day before the deadline to sign a letter-of-intent this spring.

Chiefs Pick Eric Fisher

Greg Echlin — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 14:21:07 +0000

The Kansas City Chiefs made Eric Fisher, an offensive lineman from Central Michigan, the NFL’s first overall selection.

Four of the top seven picks in the NFL draft were offensive lineman. As a former lineman, that suits Chiefs coach Andy Reid well.

Fisher stands 6 feet 7 inches tall, and he’s talking about adding a few pounds to current weight of 306 pounds.

Reid says Fisher will help the Chiefs.

Belton's Tate Stevens Steals The Show At Sprint Cup

Greg Echlin — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 14:19:58 +0000

In Sprint Cup race at Kansas Speedway on Sunday, Matt Kenseth was the winning driver. But one of the most popular figures yesterday didn't wear a racing helmet.

Tate Stevens, as an employee of the city of Belton two years ago, attended meetings at Kansas Speedway. Wearing a cowboy hat Stevens, now 38, appeared at the track as a professional country music performer.

In a life-changing experience, Stevens was the winner last year in season two of "The X Factor," a network television show singing competition.

Kansas Speedway Focuses On Security This Weekend

Greg Echlin — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 14:20:56 +0000

This weekend marks the first of two NASCAR weekends at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas. In the wake of the deadly explosions at the Boston Marathon on Monday, security measures will be in full-effect at the speedway.

Kansas Speedway president Pat Warren says details of security precautions aren't fully disclosed. However, it will be clear to spectators that coolers and backpacks will be inspected.

Red Carpet Conversations About '42'

Greg Echlin — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 14:27:44 +0000

The movie “42” tells a story of baseball Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson, who once played for the Kansas City Monarchs. He broke the color barrier with his entry into Major League Baseball. A recent sneak preview of the movie in Kansas City featured an appearance by iconic actor Harrison Ford and a handful of his co-stars.

'42' Screened In Kansas City

Greg Echlin — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 14:03:24 +0000

As a benefit for the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the Kansas City Sports Commission, the movie "42" was shown on Thursday night at the AMC theaters on Barry Road. The chilly temperatures didn't stop those who gathered near the red carpet to get a glimpse of an A-list actor.

Royals Win Home Opener

Greg Echlin — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 14:03:31 +0000

Seven games into their 2013 baseball season, the Kansas City Royals have a winning record for the first time. The home opener against the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium took a dramatic turn late in the game.

Unlike last year when the Royals gave up seven runs in the first inning of the home opener, they kept the game close. Down 1-0 in the eighth, Lorenzo Cain doubled and scored in an inning that produced all the Royals' runs in their 3-1 victory.

Taking A Look Back To 1988's NCAA In Kansas City

Greg Echlin — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 14:33:26 +0000

Though Atlanta is this year’s host city for the NCAA’s Men’s Final Four, Kansas City still holds the record as the city with the most championship games. This year, the NCAA is celebrating the 75th anniversary of the men’s basketball tournament.

KU Advances To Sweet 16

Greg Echlin — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 14:26:36 +0000

Two days after upsetting Kansas State in the NCAA men's basketball tournament, LaSalle closed out its weekend in Kansas City with another surprise.

Actor Harrison Ford And '42' In Kansas City

Greg Echlin — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 14:53:41 +0000

Actor Harrison Ford plays Branch Rickey in "42," the movie on baseball Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson to be released next month. Rickey is the former general manager who signed Robinson to break the color line in Major League Baseball. Ford will be in Kansas City next month for a special screening.

KU Gets Number One Seed

Greg Echlin — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:50:08 +0000

The NCAA men's basketball tournament in Kansas City this week will include Kansas as a number-one seed, but the Jayhawks might want to forget their last trip to Kansas City as a top seed.

This year marks KU's first trip to Kansas City as a number-one seed since '95 when the Jayhawks lost to Virginia in Kansas City.

Only once during Roy Williams’ time as coach at the University of Kansas did the Jayhawks play the NCAA tournament in Kansas City. It was the 1995 appearance.

Sizing Up Tonight's Match-Ups In The Big 12

Greg Echlin — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 15:04:39 +0000

In college basketball, the Missouri Tigers advanced in the Southeastern Conference tournament after a 62-50 victory over Texas A&M on Thursday night. The Tigers will take on Ole Miss tonight.

Big 12 Update: Cyclones Advance To Finals

Greg Echlin — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 19:09:42 +0000

With a large contingent of Iowa State fans clearly outnumbering the Oklahoma followers, the Cyclones advanced to the Big 12 tournament semifinals.