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Abbreviated sports schedule better than no sports at all

October 2, 2020

The baseball playoffs have begun. I’m not a huge fan of eliminating half of the teams after only a three-game series to start the playoffs, but it’s the best Major League Baseball could do during this crazy year. I think four teams have the ability to win the World Series this year. They are the Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Dodgers on the National League side, and the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays on the American League side. The Phillies had a great chance to make the playoffs, but they were awful in the last 10 days of the season. The three things the Phillies need for next season are a much more consistent third starting pitcher, a complete overhaul of a bullpen, and to re-sign their catcher JT Realmuto to at least a five-year contract.

Everyone knows that I read lots of sports books over the course of the year. I just read a book titled "24" that was a good biography of Willie Mays' life and times. The author of the book spent a fair amount of time comparing Mike Trout to Willie. I think a more accurate comparison for Trout, as of right now, would be Dan Marino of the Miami Dolphins, a great player who didn't win a championship. Trout hasn't been on a strong championship contender team yet.

The NBA Finals started this week. I think it is going to be a short series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat. LeBron James is playing in his 10th NBA Finals, which is crazy! He is only 3-6 all time so far. The Lakers are a significant favorite to make it four for LeBron. This isn't all that significant, but I thought the NBA did a cool thing last night as part of the bubble format. The baselines were painted purple and red, the colors for Miami and Los Angeles, just like football end zones.

The Eagles tied on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals by the score of 23-23. The Eagles got lucky to tie the game because Carson Wentz actually made a good play to score touchdown with a 15-yard scramble late in the fourth quarter. This saved the team from an 0-3 start. I know lots of people disagree with Doug Pedersen's decision to punt the ball late in overtime instead of trying a 64-yard field goal to win the game. I actually agree with him, because for me, a tie is better than a loss. If they had missed, Cincinnati would have only had to move the ball 15 yards to go and take their own shot at a field goal to win the game for themselves. This weekend the 0-2-1 Eagles play the 49ers on Sunday Night Football. I hope the game is worth the spotlight.

The French Open tennis tournament was rescheduled for these two weeks. Unfortunately, Serena Williams had to pull out of her second round match with an injury, so she will not have a chance to win a grand slam until next year. Rafael Nadal has come back to the open to defend his title. I wouldn’t put it past him to win. He has won this event 12 times, which is just insane! It’s frustrating, but if you don’t have the Tennis Channel, it’s virtually impossible to watch the tournament except on the weekend.

October! Hope you enjoy the nice weather while it lasts.

 

  • A 2002 Cape grad and 2007 UD grad, Lewes resident Sumner Spence is one of the Cape area's biggest sports fans. Although he’s used a wheelchair his entire life, he has lived vicariously through his sports-playing father, brother, and friends, who gave him his love of sports. He hopes to provide new and interesting perspectives on the sports stories and issues of the day. Email Sumner at sumspence@gmail.com.

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