* The National Basketball Association commenced its training camp on October 2.  The 2012-13 season features the growing rivarly between LeBron James and Kevin Durant as well as Dwight Howard’s arrival in Los Angeles as a member of the Lakers.

* In professional football, there have been a few surprises after the first quarter of the season: the New Orleans Saints have started 0-4,  the Arizona Cardinals 5-0, and that second overall pick of the NFL draft, Robert Griffin III, has scored four passing touchdowns and four rushing touchdowns.

* At the Ryder Cup, Europe  defeated the United States by the score of 14 1/2 to 13 1/2.

* The Washington Nationals went from one game under .500 last season to clinch the National League East pennant this season.  Other teams to clinch playoff berths include the Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees, Cincinnati Reds, San Francisco Giants, and the Atlanta Braves.