Here's your wakeup call (and your last one for a couple of weeks) -- a combination of newsworthy andor interesting tidbits -- for Friday, August 17:
BASEBALL
Tragedy intruded on the world of fun and games Thursday night, when a fan died of a heart attack at the Blue Jays-White Sox game in Toronto. (AP) Old friend Kevin Youkilis was the first player on the field to notice what was going on in the stands.
Theo and crew are working on a long-term deal for Starlin Castro. (CSN Chicago)
It's been a long time since there's been a postseason game at Camden Yards. How long? The networks seem to have forgotten what it's like to televise a game from there. (CSN Baltimore)
If you don't hustle, you're going to hear about it from Charlie Manuel. Right, Jimmy Rollins? (CSN Philly)
David Price is on quite the roll. (AP)
Joey Bats may be returning at last. (NBC's Hardball Talk)
Boston Red Sox
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
I think we can safely assume that Knute Rockne is turning over in his grave. (CSN Chicago)
Idaho wants to go it alone. (AP)
Remember the name Jim Donnan? No? Well, you'll be hearing it quite a bit from here in on, I think: The former Georgia coach and ESPN analyst has been charged in an 80 million Ponzi scheme that scammed, among others, Barry Switzer and Frank Beamer. (AP)
HOCKEY
Chris Campoli knows what the NHL owners are all about. (NBC's Pro Hockey Talk)
PRO BASKETBALL
Looks like Jay-Z is going to make sure you know you're in Brooklyn when you go to a Nets game. (NBC's Pro Basketball Talk)
Andre Iguodala would like to settle down in Denver. (AP)
John Salley's been out of the spotlight for a long time, so he evidently decided it was time to draw some attention back to himself. (Pro Basketball Talk)
OLYMPICS
Apparently, one gold medal is enough for Geno Auriemma. (AP)
PRO FOOTBALL
Three weeks to go before the season starts, and there's no end in sight to the referee lockout. (AP)
The Patriots are just lucky they played at SchaeferSullivanFoxboro Stadium -- the worldwide leader in uncomfortable and potentially dangerous seating -- in less litigious times. (NBC's Pro Football Talk)
And speaking of our courts, a loan company is after Vince Young for 1.7 million. (AP)
The sure sign that you have too much money: Hiring a plane to fly over Saints practice every day with banner "Free Payton" trailing behind it. (Pro Football Talk)
Peyton to the press: Enough already. (Pro Football Talk)
And now you can sleep in for the next few weeks; it's vacation time for yours truly. We'll be back with your next Wakeup Call on Tuesday, September 4.