Here's your wakeup call -- a combination of newsworthy andor interesting tidbits -- for Monday, July 30:
BASEBALL
The Red Sox may have decided to become buyers at the trade deadline thanks to their successful weekend in New York. The Phillies had a disastrous three days in Atlanta, so it looks like they'll be sellers. (CSN Philly)
If Bob Lobel were still on Channel 4, you'd have heard an awful lot of "Why can't WE get players like that??!?" over the next decade or so. (CSN Chicago)
What do they say about being careful what you wish for, because it might come true? Marty Brennaman should have thought of that. (NBC's Hardball Talk)
If the Mets can't get Kelly Shoppach, they may settle for Geovany Soto. (Hardball Talk)
Not a bad Angels debut for Zack Greinke. (AP) All that was missing was a victory.
One play, three arguments in yesterday's Brewers-Nationals game. (Hardball Talk)
Boston Red Sox
Yes, yes, that's the same Lew Ford who was in the Red Sox farm system in the late '90s. (CSN Baltimore)
Looks like Huston Street is staying put. (AP)
Ditto Chase Headley. (Hardball Talk)
That'll teach John Axford to compare Tim Tebow to Kim Kardashian. (NBC's Off The Bench)
BASKETBALL
The Timberwolves must be happy that their newest acquisition, Andrei Kirilenko, is "running like a young deer" in the Olympics. (AP) Just beware that's a self-assessment; real deer hunters have yet to be heard from.
FOOTBALL
Jeremy Shockey takes to Twitter to blast that "no it all Rog goodell" for -- in his opinion -- lying to players about the health effects of concussions. (NBC's Pro Football Talk) If Shockey, who's still a free agent, were a "no it all", he'd no (or know) that publicly wading into the radioactive legal area of concussions is probably going to vaporize any interest any team might have had in him.
Here we go again: Andre Johnson will be out for about a week because of a groin problem. (AP) At least it's not the hamstring (which cost him nine games last season) or the knee (which was operated on in the spring).
When Darrelle Revis sat out practice Sunday, speculation immediately arose that it was related to his contract. But no, he says it's just a "minor" hamstring thing. (AP)
New season, new approach for Ndamukong Suh. (AP)
It's the same old, same old for his coach, however. (Pro Football Talk)
Four more years for Chris Long. (AP)
And so begins the Andrew Luck Era in Indy. (AP)
Bill Belichick isn't the only NFL coach with disdain for the media. (CSN Bay Area)
HOCKEY
Goodbye, Columbus: Looks like other NHL players were urging Rick Nash to leave the Blue Jackets. (NBC's Pro Hockey Talk)
OLYMPICS
Magic Johnson weighs in on the never-ending '92-vs.-'12 debate, saying Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and (maybe) Kevin Durant could have made the Dream Team. (NBC's Pro Basketball Talk) Hey, at least it's not Dwightmare.
Let's hear it for free speech: Hope Solo won't be disciplined for her Twitter rant against Brandi Chastain. (NBC)