[sport] COVID-19 played a huge role in Southwest Florida's top sports stories of 2020

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Oct 5, 2020; San Diego, California, USA; Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Shane McClanahan, a Cape Coral High graduate, pitches against the New York Yankees during the ninth inning in game one of the 2020 ALDS at Petco Park.
Cape's McClanahan makes MLB history
Cape Coral High graduate Shane McClanahan became the first pitcher in history to make his major league debut in the postseason, recording the final out in the top of the ninth inning as the Tampa Bay Rays fell to the New York Yankees 9-3 in Game 1 of the American League Division Series on Oct. 5.

The former USF ace had an eventful debut, inducing a high chopper from Brett Gardner that landed in no-man's land for an infield hit. On that play, McClanahan collided with Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe. He then walked catcher Kyle Higashioka on a 3-2 pitch to load the bases, but escaped unscathed when he induced a soft tapper to the mound by DJ LeMahieu. McClanahan consistently hit 98-99 miles per hour on the radar gun during his 15-pitch stint, of which nine were strikes.

Tampa Bay Rays catcher Mike Zunino celebrates their victory in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series in San Diego in October.
In the postseason where the Rays eventually lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series, Mariner product Mike Zunino hit four home runs, matching his regular-season total and coming within one homer of tying former Cleveland Indian Sandy Alomar Jr.’s record of most by a catcher in a single postseason.

None was bigger than his solo shot in the second inning of Game 7 of the American League Championship Series that ended up serving as the game-winning run in the Rays’ 4-2 win over the Houston Astros.

More:Cape Coral natives Shane McCla

nahan, Mike Zunino set to make World Series debuts for Rays

Greg Bartoli, left, The founder of PopStroke Golf and Chris Hubman CFO of TGR Ventures stand for a portrait at the new location of PopStroke on Six Mile Cypress Parkway in Fort Myers on Thursday. The location had a ribbon cutting ceremony and will open on Saturday.
Tiger Woods' PopStroke arrives in Fort Myers
PopStroke opened its second golf entertainment facility, and first with Tiger Woods' involvement that included the PGA star as an ownership partner all the way down to his playing a role in designing the two putting courses, in September. Those courses are the focus of the venue off Six Mile Cypress Parkway.

The Fort Myers facility features two putting courses. The Cub is more geared toward beginners and the Tiger is more challenging. Golfers can keep their score with an app that also includes the ability to order food and drinks from the on-site restaurant and have them delivered to them on the course.

PopStroke also will have at least two more facilities on Florida's Gulf Coast. One is slated for North Naples and another in Sarasota in the next year.

More:Tiger Woods-backed PopStroke golf entertainment opening to public in Fort Myers on Saturday