Here's your wakeup call -- a combination of newsworthy andor interesting tidbits -- for Friday, October 19.
BASEBALL
Time for The Blame Game in New York. (NBC's Hardball Talk)
And no one's getting more of it than A-Rod . . . though trading him might not be such a good idea. (Hardball Talk)
If only he'd listened to Kobe. (NBC's Pro Basketball Talk)
Maybe it was just because they played the Yankees, but the Tigers sure look good heading into the World Series. (nbcsports.com)
The Freak was The Dud for the Giants, who are now in a big hole to the Cardinals. (AP)
Bo Porter says he's "all in" as the new manager of the Astros. (CSN Houston)
Boston Red Sox
BOXING
Gay boxer Orlando Cruz is scheduled to fight Friday night for the first time since coming out. (AP via nbcsports.com)
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
No. 2 Oregon passed its first true road test of the year with flying colors. (AP)
That was a nice little offensive night for SMU, eh? (AP)
Looks like Vanderbilt is a Big Ten-free Zone. (AP)
Notre Dame says Everett Golson's availability Saturday will be a game-time decision. (AP)
As expected, South Carolina suspended defensive tackle Kelcy Quarles for Saturday's game at Florida. However, he wasn't expected to play anyway because of a shoulder injury. (AP)
Jerry Sandusky's still fighting. (AP)
HOCKEY
Didn't look that way to us either, Sidney. (NBC's Pro Hockey Talk)
But no, Shane, we wouldn't go that far. (Pro Hockey Talk)
What do the players want in the end? They want their contracts honored. (Pro Hockey Talk)
PRO BASKETBALL
LeBron James to the Lakers (eventually)? Kurt Helin says it's unlikely, both now "and a couple of NBA lifetimes from now." (NBC's Pro Basketball Talk)
Dwyane Wade looks fine. (AP)
Well, well. Look who's finally ready to play. (Pro Basketball Talk)
And we have Gangnam-style dancing to thank. (Pro Basketball Talk)
PRO FOOTBALL
The 49ers win ugly over the Seahawks. (AP)
Yeah, I was wondering this myself. (CSN Bay Area)
The NFLPA wants to know -- in court -- why the NFL is so worked up over Bountygate when it didn't seem to have any problem with Reggie White's "smash-for-cash" program in 1996. (AP)
Once Dean Pees escaped Fort Belichick and was allowed to speak freely, we discovered he could say some pretty interesting things. (CSN Baltimore)
An autopsy report confirms that Garrett Reid, son of Eagles coach Andy Reid, died of an accidental heroin overdose. (CSN Philly)
Jason Pierre-Paul warns that RGIII better not run on his side Sunday. (NBC's Pro Football Talk)
Terrell Suggs says, yeah, he just might play this week. (AP)
Come on, Nate. You know they wouldn't have hit you for 10 grand if it was a Super Soaker. (Pro Football Talk)
TENNIS
Tommy Haas? 500 career wins? Really? (AP)