Kansas City

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Years before Wilbert Harrison sang about "goin' to Kansas City," a generation of jazz musicians made this town the place to be in the Midwest.The best jam sessions were here. Count Basie and Lester Young were here, along with a young man named Charlie Parker, who later set the jazz world on fire."In those days, any African-American entertainer who could not play on 18th Street was not considered major league," says Kansas City Mayor Emanuel Cleaver. "There is no prominent jazz musician who did not come to 18th and Vine."

The unanimity was what grabbed Dick Vermeil. Three different players from the Ravens' Super Bowl team passed through Kansas City in free agency last spring and each one unfailingly praised Priest Holmes. Vermeil, the new coach of the Chiefs, didn't have to ask twice. He targeted the Ravens' reserve running back over another popular free agent, Charlie Garner, gave him a five-year, $7.548 million contract and watched Holmes become the biggest free-agent steal of the year. In a season that came out of nowhere, Holmes leads the NFL in rushing with 1,146 yards and in total yards from scrimmage with 1,635.

The Ravens let their chance on football's biggest regular-season stage slip through their fingers. In a game in which they were outplayed, the Ravens failed in their last two offensive drives to deliver a comeback, falling to the previously winless Kansas City Chiefs, 27-24, last night before a sellout crowd of 69,827 at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens' last hope - a long pass from Kyle Boller to Kevin Johnson on fourth down - tipped off Johnson's hands and out of his grasp. It closed a night in which the Ravens were thoroughly outplayed and outgained, 398-207, but kept it close with big plays.

The Orioles have entered the ring against the heavyweights, taken a few lumps and proven they can take a punch. Last night, they had some more fun at the expense of one of baseball's lightweights. Opening a 16-game stretch against teams that entered the day with sub-.500 records, the Orioles received another solid performance from Sidney Ponson and defeated the Kansas City Royals, 6-2, before a paid crowd of 25,748 at Camden Yards. David Segui, Tony Batista and Jeff Conine hit home runs off Royals starter Paul Byrd (4-2)

The Orioles have entered the ring against some of the American League's heavyweights, taken a few lumps and proved they can take a punch. Last night, they were back in the ranks of the lightweights, looking like big bullies. Opening a 16-game stretch against teams that entered the day with sub-.500 records, the Orioles received another solid performance from Sidney Ponson and defeated the Kansas City Royals, 6-2, before a paid crowd of 25,748 at Camden Yards. David Segui, Tony Batista and Jeff Conine hit home runs off Royals starter Paul Byrd, as the Orioles stopped a two-game losing streak.

HockeySan Jose Sharks -- Assigned G Arturs Irbe to Kansas City (IHL). Recalled G Brian Hayward from Kansas City.

FootballKansas City Chiefs -- Signed OL Rich Baldinger.CollegeTexas A&M -- Named Frank Haith men's assistant basketball coach.

BaseballKansas City Royals -- Signed P Andy McGaffigan (4-3, 3.09 ERA) to a one-year contract with Class AAA Omaha.

Devil Rays: Tampa Bay turned four double plays, giving it a league-best 141, three more than Kansas City.

Eastern DivisionForwards -- Dale Ervine, Wichita; Jan Goossens, Kansas City; Zoran Karic, Cleveland; Hector Marinaro, Cleveland; Dale Mitchell, Baltimore; Domenic Mobilio, Baltimore.Midfielders -- Chico Borja, Wichita; Billy Ronson, Baltimore; Carl Valentine, Kansas City.Defensemen -- George Fernandez, Cleveland; Iain Fraser, Kansas City; Chico Moreira, Wichita; Kim Roentved, Kansas City; Bruce Savage, Baltimore.Goalies -- Jim Gorsek, Kansas City; Scott Manning, Baltimore.Western DivisionForwards -- Claudio De Oliveira, St. Louis; Gary Heale, Tacoma; Tatu, Dallas; Thompson Usiyan, St. Louis; Paul Wright, San Diego.