Now that the Phillies have gotten off to a great start with the most wins in the major leagues, so many members of the media are talking about World Series or bust expectations. I hope the Phillies players are keeping a level head about this and using past results as a guide.
For example, in 2011, the team won 102 games to set a franchise record, but they did not get anywhere close to the World Series during the playoffs; the last great year for the players on the 2008 world championship team. Also, the team with the most wins in the regular season in modern baseball history, the Seattle Mariners (who won 116 games in the regular season), did not make it to the World Series either.
So I hope the coaching staff is reminding them to take it one game at a time. It's the playoffs that ultimately matter at the end of the season. As a longtime fan though, it has been great to see them get off to such a great start. Keep it going!
The first round of the PGA Championship is underway. Xander Schauffele leads with a nine-under par score of 62. Tony Finau and Rory McIlroy are six- and five-under par. I had forgotten how big the fairways are at the Valhalla golf club. I think the winning score is going to be 15- to 18-under par. Friday's weather is very questionable, so that will definitely help determine who can go lower by Sunday.
Tiger Woods shot a morning round of one-over par. So if his body feels good and the weather holds out, he will likely make the cut, but I don’t think he can contend to win. I expect there to be an exciting finish because in the last three previous PGA Championships held at Valhalla, there have been two playoffs. Mark Brooks won the first one in 1996, and Tiger Woods won the second playoff. Rory McIlroy won the 2014 Championship there by one shot and hasn't won a major since. I hope for another playoff finish this year.
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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.
Nick Roth is the news editor. He has been with the Cape Gazette since 2012, previously covering town beats in Milton and Lewes. In addition to serving on the editorial board and building pages, Nick is responsible for the weekly Delaware History in Photographs feature and enjoys writing stories about the Cape Region’s history. Prior to the Cape Gazette, Nick worked for the Delmarva Media Group, including the Delaware Wave, Delaware Coast Press and Salisbury Daily Times. He also contributed to The News Journal. Originally from Boyertown, Pa., Nick attended Shippensburg University in central Pennsylvania, graduating in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He’s won several MDDC awards during his career for both writing and photography. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, going to the beach with his family and cheering for Philadelphia sports teams.
