SPORTS UPDATE 10/5/12

Major League Baseball’s newest wrinkle takes place this afternoon and evening with the initial one game wild card playoff games. In the National League, the defending world champion St. Louis Cardinals will be in Atlanta to the Braves, with the winner to play Washington in the Divisional series.

In the American League, the Baltimore Orioles visit the Texas Rangers, with the winner to face the New York Yankees in the Divisional series.

The Ohio Valley Conference today announced a one year extension to play its annual baseball championship at Pringles Park in Jackson, TN. The 2013 event will be held May 22-26. It marks the fourth straight season the event is played at Pringles Park.

The tumor found on North Carolina basketball coach Roy Williams’ left kidney is noncancerous. ESPN reports the tumor is the same kind of tumor Williams had removed from his right kidney on September 19^th. Williams will not require surgery on the left kidney and doctors say he should be on the court when the Tar Heels begin practice in less than 10 days.

NFL quarterback Peyton Manning may soon be a minority owner of the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies. A source tells the Associated Press Manning and his wife Ashley along with former NBA star Penny Hardaway have agreed to join a group as minority owners of the franchise.

Prospective buyer Robert J. Pera’s purchase of the Grizzlies is pending approval from the NBA. Pera agreed to buy the Grizzlies in June. The sale is expected to be approved this month.