Click below to listen to Kansas City Chiefs head coach Todd Haley speak with the media Saturday.
Part 1[audio:http://www.stjosephpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/730A.mp3|titles=730A]
Part 2[audio:http://www.stjosephpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/730B.mp3|titles=730B]
The Kansas City Chiefs announced on Saturday that the club has signed free agent WR Zeke Markshausen.
Markshausen (5-11, 185) went to training camp with Chicago in 2010. He played in 27 games at Northwestern, catching 92 passes for 864 yards with three TDs. He added four carries for nine yards. As a senior, he registered 91 receptions for 858 yards with three scores. His 91 catches were the second-highest seasonal total in Northwestern history. He was an all-conference selection at North Boone High School in Poplar Grove, Ill.
— Chiefs Media Relations —
The Chiefs Saturday practice (7/30/11) has moved up 30 minutes to 3:00 PM. The practice is scheduled to be held outdoors and is open to the public.
— Chiefs Media Relations —
The Kansas City Chiefs began their 2011 training camp Friday afternoon in St. Joseph at Missouri Western State University. They held a 2 1/2 hour practice on the grass practice fields next to Spratt Stadium and you can click below to listen to interviews from players after their first workout of camp.
QB Matt Cassel[audio:http://www.stjosephpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/MattCassel1.mp3|titles=MattCassel]
S Eric Berry[audio:http://www.stjosephpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/EricBerry.mp3|titles=EricBerry]
G Jon Asamoah[audio:http://www.stjosephpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/JonAsamoah.mp3|titles=JonAsamoah]
DT Glenn Dorsey[audio:http://www.stjosephpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/GlennDorsey.mp3|titles=GlennDorsey]
OLB Andy Studebaker[audio:http://www.stjosephpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/AndyStudebaker1.mp3|titles=AndyStudebaker]
Melky Cabrera and the Kansas City Royals got off to a fast start, then kept piling on after Carlos Carrasco drew their ire with a dangerous pitch.
Cabrera hit a grand slam, Jeff Francis pitched eight sharp innings and the Royals pounded the Cleveland Indians 12-0 on Friday night in a testy game between regular AL Central foes.
Billy Butler went deep twice and Alex Gordon also connected for Kansas City, which has won seven of 10. Butler hit a two-run shot in the first and a solo drive in the eighth, giving him five long balls in a four-game homer streak.
“We’re swinging the bats pretty good right now,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “Francis threw the ball great.”
Butler came to the plate right after Cabrera’s grand slam in the fourth, and Cleveland starter Carlos Carrasco promptly threw one at his head on the first pitch. Players from both dugouts and bullpens came on the field, and Carrasco was ejected.
“That’s not professional,” Butler said. “I understand the game. You don’t go above the shoulders. I knew there was the possibility that I would get hit, but that’s too high. You’re never supposed to throw at somebody’s head.”
Several Royals players gestured and yelled at Carrasco as he was walking to Cleveland’s dugout. Carrasco shouted back before leaving the field.
Right fielder Jeff Francoeur, who was hit in the face while playing in the minors, was the most demonstrative Royals player.
“I was yelling to hit him in the leg or hit him in the side,” Francoeur said. “You don’t throw at someone’s head. You could really hurt somebody. That’s just wrong. That’s why I like the National League because that stuff doesn’t happen. You have to take a bat up there.”
Indians manager Manny Acta also was unhappy with Carrasco.
“We don’t condone throwing at people’s heads,” Acta said. “He was talked to by (pitching coach Tim Belcher). That’s a dangerous situation.”
Carrasco admitted he was upset that Cabrera stood at home plate and admired his 13th homer, but denied the pitch to Butler was intentional.
“I didn’t throw at anybody, the baseball just ran away,” he said. “I know it looked bad after a home run, but there is nothing I can do right there.”
Carrasco was replaced by Chad Durbin, who threw a high-and-inside pitch to Cabrera with the bases loaded in the fifth. Cabrera hit the dirt and glared at Durbin, but didn’t make a move toward the mound.
Francis (4-11) won for the first time since June 10. He allowed four hits, struck out six and walked one.
“It was the offense’s night, for sure” Francis said. “It’s a different game when you get a big lead in the fourth. They didn’t get good wood on the mistakes I did make.”
The Indians, who were no-hit by Angels right-hander Ervin Santana on Thursday, have lost seven of eight, managing just 13 runs during the slide. Right fielder Kosuke Fukudome, acquired from the Chicago Cubs on Thursday, went 0 for 4 in his Indians debut.
Carrasco (8-9) lost his fifth straight start and has allowed seven home runs in his losing streak. The right-hander lost for the sixth time in his last seven decisions overall.
— Associated Press —
The Kansas City Chiefs announced on Friday that the club has signed eight unrestricted free agents: RB Jackie Battle, WR Steve Breaston, WR Terrance Copper, CB Travis Daniels, S Jon McGraw, T Ryan O’Callaghan, TE Leonard Pope and C Casey Wiegmann. The club also announced that FB Mike Cox signed his restricted free agent tender and S Reshard Langford signed his exclusive rights free agent tender.
Battle (6-2, 238) has played in 33 games with Kansas City (2007-10), rushing 41 times for 118 yards (2.9 avg.) with two touchdowns and catching five passes for eight yards. He also has 20 special teams tackles. He originally entered the NFL as a rookie free agent with Dallas in 2007.
Battle appeared in 41 contests (12 starts) at the University of Houston, tallying 441 carries for 2,120 yards with a school-record 31 rushing TDs. He had 20 total touchdowns at Humble High School in Humble, Texas.
Breaston (6-0, 189) has played in 60 regular season games (26 starts) in four seasons with Arizona (2007-10). He has recorded 187 receptions for 2,528 yards (13.5 avg.) with seven touchdowns and nine carries for 95 yards. He has also added 113 punt returns for 885 yards (7.8 avg.) with one score and 102 kickoff returns for 2,220 yards (21.8 avg.). Breaston has appeared in six postseason contests (four starts), catching 24 passes for 325 yards (13.5 avg.) with a TD. He entered the NFL as a fifth-round pick (142nd overall) of Arizona in 2007.
The North Braddock, Pa. native concluded his collegiate career at the University of Michigan as the all-time leader in punt returns (127) and punt return yards (1,599) in Big Ten history. He posted a career-high 68 catches for 670 yards with two TDs as a senior with the Wolverines. He prepped at Woodland Hills High School in North Braddock, Pa.
Copper (6-0, 207) has played in 94 games (10 starts) with Dallas (2004-05), New Orleans (2006-08), Baltimore (2008) and Kansas City (2009-10), catching 68 passes for 825 yards with six TDs. He also owns 29 kickoff returns for 546 yards and 76 special teams tackles during his NFL career. Copper has seen duty in 31 games (five starts) with the Chiefs, producing 22 receptions for 225 yards (10.2 avg.) and 35 special teams tackles. He entered the NFL as a rookie free agent with Dallas in 2004.
The East Carolina product concluded his collegiate career with 139 catches for 1,683 yards and three TDs after prepping at Washington High School in Washington, N.C.
Cox (6-0, 252) has played in 39 games (17 starts) in three seasons with Kansas City (2008-10), rushing four times for three yards with a TD. He has also caught 22 passes for 125 yards. He originally entered the NFL as a rookie free agent with Kansas City in 2008.
Cox saw action in 47 contests at Georgia Tech, recording 30 receptions for 217 yards with a TD. He was a prep standout at Red Land High School in New Cumberland, Pa.
Daniels (6-1, 195) has appeared in 76 games (28 starts) with Miami (2005-07), Cleveland (2008) and Kansas City (2009-10). He has recorded 150 tackles (109 solo), four interceptions, 23 passes defensed, one quarterback pressure, one fumble recovery and 15 special teams tackles. He originally entered the NFL as a fourth-round pick (104th overall) of Miami in 2005.
The Hollywood, Fla. native played in 33 games (26 starts) at LSU, recording 109 tackles, 2.0 sacks, two INTs and 38 passes defensed. Daniels prepped at South Broward High School in Hollywood, Fla.
Langford (6-1, 213) has played in six games in two seasons with Kansas City (2009-10), recording eight special teams tackles. He originally entered the NFL as a rookie free agent with Philadelphia in 2009. He started all 48 games at Vanderbilt, totaling 247 games (169 solo), 11 INTs and 19 passes defensed. Langford was a running back and safety at Tanner High School in Tanner, Ala.
McGraw (6-3, 208) has seen action in 112 games (26 starts) with the N.Y. Jets (2002-04), Detroit (2005-06) and Kansas City (2007-10). He has tallied 259 tackles (192 solo), a sack (-6.0 yards), three QB pressures, seven INTs, 18 passes defensed, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and 107 special teams tackles. In four seasons with the Chiefs he has played in 55 contests (14 starts), posting 121 tackles (94 solo), a sack (-6.0 yards), four INTs, eight passes defensed, one fumble recovery and 43 special teams tackles. He originally entered the NFL as a second-round pick (57th overall) of the Jets in 2002.
McGraw played in 43 games (19 starts) at Kansas State with 184 tackles (138 solo), 16.0 stops for loss, 3.0 sacks, 17 passes defensed and nine interceptions after prepping at Riley County High School in Riley County, Kan.
O’Callaghan (6-7, 330) has appeared in 51 games (20 starts) with New England (2006-08) and Kansas City (2009-10). He has also played in four postseason contests. He entered the NFL as a fifth-round draft pick (136th overall) with New England in 2006.
The Susanville, Calif. native earned All-Pac 10 honors as a senior at California. He was a prep standout at Enterprise High School in Redding, Calif.
Pope (6-8, 264) has seen action in 71 games (39 starts) with Arizona (2006-08) and Kansas City (2009-10). He has caught 78 passes for 726 yards (9.3 avg.) with eight TDs. Pope has also started two postseason contests, recording two catches for 21 yards (10.5 avg.). He has played in 29 games (14 starts) with the Chiefs, catching 30 passes for 250 yards (8.3 avg.) with three TDs.
Pope produced 59 receptions for 994 yards (16.8 avg.) with nine TDs as a two-year starter at the University of Georgia. He was an all-state selection as a senior at Americus High School in Americus, Ga.
Wiegmann (6-2, 285) has played in 211 games (184 starts) during his 15-year career with Indianapolis (’96), the N.Y. Jets (’96-97), Chicago (’97-00), Kansas City (2001-07, 2010) and Denver (2008-09). He earned a Pro Bowl berth with the Broncos following the 2008 campaign. Wiegmann started 111 consecutive regular season games and opened two playoff contests during his initial stint with the Chiefs. Dating back to 2001, Wiegmann has started 159 consecutive games at center and has taken 10,141 consecutive snaps at that position. He originally entered the NFL as a rookie free agent with Indianapolis in ’96.
The University of Iowa product started 27 games at center for the Hawkeyes, earning All-Big Ten honors as a senior. Wiegmann prepped at Aplington-Parkersburg High School in Parkersburg, Iowa, where he was coached by the late Ed Thomas, who was named the 2005 NFL High School Coach of the Year.
— Chiefs Media Relations —
With a young fan present, it was water, not champagne, that drenched Albert Pujols in the St. Louis clubhouse to celebrate his 2,000th hit.
“I think it’s pretty special to have my son (A.J.) come in here with a couple of bottles of water and spray it all over me,” Pujols said. “It’s something he’ll remember hopefully for the rest of his life.”
Edwin Jackson pitched seven innings in his debut with St. Louis, lifting the Cardinals to a 9-2 victory Friday over the Chicago Cubs.
David Freese hit a three-run homer and Ryan Theriot, who entered as a pinch-hitter in the sixth, drove in three runs on two hits.
Pujols stood on second base and waved his helmet in appreciation of the standing ovation by 42,042 fans at Busch Stadium after recording his 2,000th hit. The Cubs waited, giving Pujols his moment.
“I think if they would have kept going, I think a couple of drops would have come out of my eyes,” Pujols said. “To be able to share this moment with them is incredible. Hopefully, I can continue to do it the rest of my career.”
In his 10th-plus season, Pujols is 263rd overall on the major league hit list. He’s the fifth Cardinal to get 2,000 hits and is the 12th-quickest player to 2,000 hits, taking 1,650 games.
Pujols joined Stan Musial (3,630), Lou Brock (2,713), Rogers Hornsby (2,110) and Enos Slaughter (2,063) as the only Cardinals to get 2,000 with the franchise.
“What a great thrill to behold it,” St. Louis manager Tony La Russa said. “It’s a great accomplishment this early in his career. I can’t begin to describe it. I’ve tried but he’s just a great, great player.”
According to projections, Pujols will reach 3,000 hits in August 2016.
“That’s a long ways from now,” Pujols said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow. I don’t like to think about numbers. Hopefully, 3,000 will be here before you know it, but it’s a long way to 3,000 now. It’s a lot of hard work and hopefully one day it’ll all pay off and my next goal will be to be in Cooperstown, but I don’t want to think about it. I want to help this club just win.”
The eighth-inning double down the third-base line off Carlos Marmol capped a 2-for-5 night and drove in a run.
Chicago manager Mike Quade could have walked Pujols as first base was open but he opted not to.
“The place would have gone nuts had we put him on,” Quade said. “I thought it was a hell of a challenge.”
Jackson, a right-hander, was dealt Wednesday in a three-team deal from the Chicago White Sox to the Toronto Blue Jays, then to the Cardinals.
Jackson (8-7) gave up seven hits and two walks. He was won four of his last five decisions and allowed three earned runs in 22 innings, winning his last three starts.
“I just tried to go out there and make a nice debut and get aggressive,” Jackson said. “Hat’s off to everyone.”
The Cardinals have won their last five games against the Cubs. The last time they won five straight over Chicago was in 2000. The loss sank the Cubs, losers of four straight, to 22 games below .500, their low-water mark of the season.
Pujols led off the fourth inning with a double. After Matt Holliday singled, Freese hit a three-run homer into the left-center field bleachers off Matt Garza (4-8) for a 3-1 lead.
“They beat me on one pitch. That’s all it was,” Garza said. “I felt like I had good stuff. He guessed right. You tip your cap. Chalk it up as one of those days and get ready for the next five days.”
St. Louis added its last three runs in the eighth. The final one came on Pujols’ double.
Kyle McClellan made his first appearance since being dropped from the starting rotation with the addition of Jackson. He got one out in the eighth, facing four batters and giving up a run to make it 6-2.
In the first inning, Pujols hit into his major league-leading 23rd double play. It was the 113th double play hit into by the Cardinals, who lead the majors.
— Associated Press —
Kansas City Chiefs training camp began Friday in St. Joseph at Missouri Western State University and head coach Todd Haley spoke with the media before their inaugural workout in St. Joe.
Click below to listen to the head coach of the Chiefs.
Part 1[audio:http://www.stjosephpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/729A.mp3|titles=729A]
Part 2[audio:http://www.stjosephpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/729B.mp3|titles=729B]
The Kansas City Chiefs announced on Friday that the club has signed first-round draft pick WR Jonathan Baldwin. The club also announced the release of TE Brad Cottam.
Baldwin (6-4, 230) joined the Chiefs as the club’s first-round pick (26th overall) in the 2011 NFL Draft. He played in 39 games (28 starts) at the University of Pittsburgh, catching 128 passes for 2,337 yards (18.3 avg.) with 16 touchdowns. As a senior he started all 13 contests, recording 53 receptions for 822 yards (15.5 avg.) with five TDs. Baldwin was a two-time All-Big East selection, tying for eighth in school history with 128 receptions.
Baldwin played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and was named a SuperPrep All-American at Aliquippa High School in Aliquippa, Pa.
Cottam (6-7, 269) has appeared in 24 games (eight starts) in two seasons with Kansas City (2008-09), catching 16 passes for 183 yards. The University of Tennessee product joined the club as a third-round draft choice (76th overall) in 2008. He prepped at Evangelical Christian High School in Germantown, Tennessee.
— Chiefs Media Relations —
The Kansas City Chiefs training camp at Missouri Western is underway as the team reported Thursday and checked in to their dorm rooms at Scanlon Hall.
The Chiefs had meetings Thursday night and will have their first practice of training camp at 3:30 p.m. Friday.
Below there are interviews and photos as the Chiefs reported to Missouri Western for their second training camp at St. Joseph.
QB Matt Cassel Interview[audio:http://www.stjosephpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/MattCassel.mp3|titles=MattCassel]
RB Jamaal Charles Interview[audio:http://www.stjosephpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/JamaalCharles.mp3|titles=JamaalCharles]
OLB Andy Studebaker Interview[audio:http://www.stjosephpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/AndyStudebaker.mp3|titles=AndyStudebaker]
