Here's your daily dose of Kansas City sports news....
Royals beat Blue Jays, won five of last seven series
The Royals beat the Blue Jays on Wednesday afternoon winning their fifth of their last seven series.
It's not bad except when you look at the two they lost -- both sweeps and both back-to-back. If the Royals hadn't been swept in their series directly before and after the All-Star break they may still have a shot at the division, or at least think they have a shot.
Unfortunately that's no longer the case. Frankly, it's probably best that they lost. The Royals didn't seem likely to keep up the pace that had them winning 10 of their last 13 at one point and, with the trade deadline looming, they need to make the best decision for the future, not for 2010.
Check out Royals Review for more Royals news.
Tim Barnes is the best center prospect in the Big 12
Dave Matter of the Columbia Tribune is taking a look at the All-Big 12 offense and at center it's...
Center (one): Tim Barnes, Missouri
● Also considered: Ben Habern, Oklahoma; Ben Lamaak, Iowa State
● Why? Barnes, a three-year starter, anchors what should be one of the better O-lines in the Big 12. An expert at the shotgun snap, Barnes is surprisingly light on his feet for a 310-pounder.
Hey, the Chiefs might need a center in 2011. They've got Casey Wiegmann (37 years old) and Rudy Niswanger (who had a 37 year old brought in to compete with him) in 2010 and I'm thinking they may want a center.
Just sayin'...
Check our Rock M Nation for more Mizzou Tigers news.
Rounding up the Big 12 preseason media poll
SB Nation's Rock Chalk Talk takes a look at the preseason football polls....
Nebraska is the unanimous selection to win the North division in their final season before the jump to the Big 10. Missouri and Kansas State fit in spots two and three respectively. Anyone surprised by K-State being so high? Colorado and Iowa State round things out at 5 and 6 which is also a little surprising to me, but in the North things tend to be a guessing game of late.
As one RCT commenter said, the voters are more than likely counting on KU to struggle slightly because of a new coach (and they're probably right). I think the poll is fair. RCT has the full poll.
Check out Rock Chalk Talk for more Jayhawks news.
Chiefs safety Jon McGraw ready for 2010
I had the opportunity to spend some time with Chiefs safety Jon McGraw on Capitol Hill this week. McGraw was there with a group of other NFL players talking with members of congress about some of their concerns with the safety of the game and post-career health care.
I jokingly said to him while we were there, "You couldn't pay me to participate in a Todd Haley training camp" because of all the stories I had heard about how hard it is.
McGraw said that, yes, Haley's going to work their butt off. He also said they know what to expect so, while it'll be hard, at least they'll know what's coming this time.
He also said there's "a feeling of optimism" at Arrowhead because of the kind of offseason the Chiefs have had. Sounds like the Chiefs are ready for camp to start next week.