Here's your wakeup call -- a combination of newsworthy andor interesting tidbits -- for Wednesday, August 1:
BASEBALL
The Cubs were finally able to trade Ryan Dempster, and without much time to spare. (CSN Chicago)
When the dust settled, the Cubs emerged from the deadline with five prospects for two rotation starters, a former Rookie of the Year and a valuable bench player. A little different than feeding the monster, eh, Theo? (CSN Chicago)
They're not feeding the monster any more in Philadelphia, either, though they hope to start doing it again next year . . . and feel that the moves they made at the deadline will help. (CSN Philly)
Psst: That's 9 losses in 12 games for the Yankees. (AP)
And adding insult to injury: A.J. Burnett, once the bane of Yankee fans' existence, nearly pitched a no-hitter last night and is now 13-3 with a 3.27 ERA. (NBC's Hardball Talk)
At least the Yanks have Joba back. (Hardball Talk)
Boston Red Sox
Which is more than the Rays can say about Evan Longoria. (Hardball Talk)
It may only be August 1, but the season's over for John Danks. (CSN Chicago)
BASKETBALL
Retiring? Who's retiring? Certainly not Brandon Roy. (AP)
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Say what you will about Notre Dame, but it punishes behavior that wouldn't raise an eyebrow elsewhere. (NBC's College Football Talk)
Penn State's loss is USC's gain. (AP) And it could be a big one.
Now that the Penn State case is closed, the NCAA turned its attention to Central Florida. (AP)
HOCKEY
Worried about an NHL lockout? Well, Donald Fehr says there's no reason negotiations can't continue past the Sept. 15 deadline with the players still at work "unless someone wants to make" Sept. 15 "a magic date". (NBC's Pro Hockey Talk) If I know the NHL owners and commissioner Gary Bettman -- men who traditionally never use a feather when a sledgehammer's available -- I think it's magic to them.
Meanwhile, labor negotiations continue. (AP) Click the link if you're interested in expansion of revenue sharing, team financial reports, proposed limitations on contract lengths, and . . . yawn . . . sorry, what was I saying?
If they ever settle this, the Senators' Daniel Alfredsson will be back on the ice. (AP)
Patrick Kaleta is staying in Buffalo. (AP)
PRO FOOTBALL
Nice to see Jerry Jones has made up with Dez Bryant . . . sort of. (NBC's Pro Football Talk)
The Bengals have given Marvin Lewis a two-year extension. (AP)
Braylon Edwards has landed in Seattle, the latest stop in his troubled career. (AP)
The NFL suspends the Giants' Tyler Sash. (AP)
And the Packers' Erik Walden. (AP)
You won't be seeing Jeff Otah on the Jets this year. (AP)