A little late because of technical woes, but here's your wakeup call-- a combination of newsworthy andor interesting tidbits -- for Thursday, July 26:
BASEBALL
Wait a minute. Coco Crisp, with a chance at a three-homer game? (CSN Bay Area video) Isn't that one of the signs of the apocalypse?
Ryan Dempster's the center of attention in the baseball world these days, and it looks like he's starting to crack under the pressure. (CSN Chicago)
Cole Hamels has 144 million reasons to be happy today. (CSN Philly)
Hanley Ramirez had a nice Dodger debut (AP), even though they lost.
First to 14 wins: David Price (AP)
A scary story: Cal Ripken's mom is safe after being abducted outsider her home. (AP) The whole thing shook up Buck Showalter, among others. (CSN Baltimore)
BASKETBALL
The Dwightmare continues. (NBC's Pro Basketball Talk) Click the link if you're interested . . . though I can't imagine why you would be.
The deal is done between the Hornets, Suns and Timberwolves. (AP)
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Now we know why Penn State accepted its NCAA penalties so placidly. The alternative was four years with no football. (AP)
HOCKEY
Rick Nash is "excited" to be in New York. (AP) Not as excited as the Rangers are to have him, I'm sure.
PRO FOOTBALL
It's July, and everyone's a Super Bowl contender. Right, Ryan Kalil? (AP)
Right, Brian Urlacher? (CSN Chicago)
Nice to see someone else was irked by the Giants' championship last year. (CSN Philly)
Randy Moss arrives at 49ers camp a day early. (CSN Bay Area) Why does it bring to mind the old phrase of learning to say hello when it's time to say goodbye?
Beware, AFC: John Fox thinks he's seen "tremendous improvement" in Peyton Manning during Manning's three months as a Bronco. (NBC's Pro Football Talk)
Training camp's here, so let the holdouts begin. First up: Maurice Jones-Drew. (Pro Football Talk) Next: Mike Wallace. (AP)
Bob Griffin doesn't take the bait from Osi Umenyiora. (CSN Washington)