Here's your wakeup call -- a combination of newsworthy andor interesting tidbits -- for Thursday, September 6:
BASEBALL
The world settled back on its axis last night as the Yankees won and the Orioles lost (AP), giving the A.L. East standings a more traditional look.
And now it's put-up-or-shut-up time for the O's. (CSN Baltimore)
The A's are relieved that Brandon McCarthy -- who took a line drive off the head yesterday -- seems none the worse for wear. (CSN Bay Area)
Not very enlightening to describe the first-place Nationals playing the last-place Cubs as "men against boys". Interesting that it was Chicago manager Dale Sveum who used the phrase, though. (CSN Chicago)
The Dodgers have seen the last of Chad Billingsley for the year. (AP)
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Nick Saban, football coach? No, it's Nick Saban, media critic. (NBC's College Football Talk)
Boston Red Sox
The Big Ten isn't going let a little thing like NCAA sanctions prevent them from awarding championship trophies to Ohio State or Penn State should either happen to win their division. (AP)
Jerry Sandusky's attorney says his client now regrets not testifying in his own defense. (AP)
HOCKEY
Chris Pronger channels his inner Rex Ryan and "guarantees" the NHL season won't start on time. (NBC's Pro Hockey Talk)
Maybe Ilya Bryzgalov won't play in Russia during the lockout, after all. (CSN Philly)
PRO BASKETBALL
Old friend Tom Thibodeau and the Bulls are talking contract, finally. (NBC's Pro Basketball Talk)
PRO FOOTBALL
The replacement refs did better than the Giants last night. (AP)
Jabar Gaffney's job hunt takes him to Oakland, though the Raiders didn't offer him a contract . . . yet. (NBC's Pro Football Talk)
Brandon Meriweather gets hurt, and now he's in a place where they actually talk about it. (CSN Washington)
Did this judge really expect the NFL and the NFLPA to reach a settlement in the players' Bountygate lawsuit? (AP)
Randy Moss speaks! (CSN Bay Area)
TENNIS
It's over for Andy Roddick. (AP)