Here's your wakeup call -- a combination of newsworthy andor interesting tidbits -- for Wednesday, August 8:
BASEBALL
That's 11 straight losses, and counting, for the Indians. (AP)
But that's 12 straight extra-winning wins for the Orioles. (CSN Baltimore)
Speaking of 11, that was Barry Larkin's uniform number. Eight years after he stopped playing, the Reds are getting around to retiring it. (NBC's Hardball Talk)
The Tigers and Yankees continue moving in opposite directions. (AP)
It was a winning return for Evan Longoria. (AP)
BASKETBALL
The 'Year of LeBron'? Almost enough to make you root against the U.S., isn't it? (NBC)
Boston Red Sox
The Trail Blazers (finally) have a new coach. (AP)
Hall of Famer Arnie Risen -- whose 6-foot-9 stature wouldn't raise an eyebrow now but earned him the nickname "Stilts" back in the day -- has died at age 87. (NBC's Pro Basketball Talk)
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Penn State has decided to add the players' names to the backs of their jersies (to honor their "resolve and dedication" to the program, they said), and also will wear blue ribbons to show support for victims of child abuse. (AP)
Meanwhile, ex-Penn State running back Silas Redd is fitting right in at USC. (AP)
GOLF
Tiger Woods hasn't won a major tournament in four years, and he gets his last shot at one in 2012 this week at the PGA. (golfchannel.com)
HOCKEY
New Jersey nearly won the Stanley Cup, but that hasn't kept the financial devils from its doorstep. (NBC's Pro Hockey Talk)
OLYMPICS
Canada's anti-refeering postgame rants after its loss to the U.S. in the women's soccer semifinals has caught FIFA's attention. (NBC)
Man, that's gotta hurt. (NBC's Off The Bench)
PRO FOOTBALL
More than 900 people, including many from the NFL (Bill Belichick among them), attended Garrett Reid's funeral. (CSN Philly)
It was a USC connection that got T.O. to Seattle. (CSN Bay Area)
Turns out the new kickoff rules actually did reduce the number of reported concussions last year in the NFL, at least a little. (AP)
The intensity of Tebowmania has surprised Jets owner Woody Johnson. (NBC's Pro Football Talk) And President Obama's comments that Jets fans should be "nervous" about their QB situation have irritated him . . . especially since he's a big Romney fund-raiser.
Whaddya know. For once, a lawyer was actually right when he said that when all the facts were in, his client wouldn't be charged. (AP)
Hey, Giants fans. That Super Bowl championship? You didn't win it; Clay Matthews says the Packers lost it. (Pro Football Talk)