Here's your wakeup call -- a combination of newsworthy andor interesting tidbits -- for Monday, October 1:
BASEBALL
Quite a day for the Yankees: They rallied from a four-run deficit, stayed tied with the Orioles for first place in the A.L. East, and clinched their 17th postseason berth in 18 years. (AP)
And now they get Mark Teixeira back. (AP)
Quite a day for the Rangers, as well: They not only secured a playoff spot for themselves, but for the Yankees and Orioles, too. (NBC's Hardball Talk)
And quite a day for the Orioles (and it had nothing to do with beating the Red Sox, or getting into the postseason for the first time since 1997): They had their charter to Tampa diverted to Jacksonville Sunday night because of a small fire in flight. (CSN Baltimore) It was nothing serious, however, and they were able to reboard the plane for the final leg of their trip.
Magic number time! For the Tigers, it's one (to clinch the A.L. Central) and for the Cardinals, it's two (to clinch an N.L. wild-card spot). (AP)
The A's, meanwhile, are "pumped"; they could clinch a playoff spot on Monday and they could also still win the A.L. West if they sweep Texas. (CSN Bay Area)
Boston Red Sox
The Angels, Rays and Dodgers (thanks to Josh Beckett) still have a playoff pulse . . . but they're weak. (AP)
The White Sox, however, are about to be pronounced dead. (CSN Chicago)
Even so, Robin Ventura says he's coming back. (CSN Chicago)
On the other side of town, Matt Garza sees good things ahead for the Cubs, 100 losses or no 100 losses. (CSN Chicago)
The 3030 Club has a new member. And the youngest one ever, to boot. (NBC's Hardball Talk)
In spite of all that's happened -- and continues to happen -- this year, Tim Lincecum will be in the Giants' postseason rotation somewhere. And he's grateful. (CSN Bay Area)
Way to go, Bill! (CSN Chicago)
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Louisville has lost Mike Marra -- again -- for the season. (AP)
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
It's unanimous: Alabama's still No. 1. (AP)
GOLF
Does it get any worse than this? Hard to see how, says Randall Mell. (golfchannel.com)
And Tiger certainly didn't help. (golfchannel.com)
Nor did any of the veterans that Davis Love III selected expressly for moments like these. (AP)
In their moment of triumph, the Europeans remembered Seve. (AP)
HOCKEY
Nice that they're talking. Be nicer if they were talking about something that might actually end this thing. (AP)
Adam Oates and and the rest of the Capitals' coaching staff have found work during the lockout. (CSN Washington)
PRO BASKETBALL
LeBron James is downright frightened at how good he thinks the Heat can be. (AP)
File this under "The Rich Get Richer": Mike Miller says he's feeling better and stronger. (AP)
The Wizards are going to have to play the first month or so without John Wall. (AP)
But Chris Paul vows the Clippers won't have to play any games without him. (AP)
PRO FOOTBALL
Me, I always thought this "icing the kicker" stuff does nothing more than give a professional kicker two shots to make one attempt. That's what Andy Reid did to Lawrence Tynes last night . . . but luckily for Reid and the Eagles, Tynes missed 'em both. (AP)
And speaking of misses, Billy Cundiff's been conjuring memories of Missin' Sisson (remember him?) over the last nine months. Still, he saved the Redskins -- and probably his job -- by kicking the game-winning field goal with seven seconds to play. (CSN Washington)
Still undefeated: The Falcons (AP), Cardinals (AP) and Texans (AP).
Still winless: The Saints . . . (AP)
. . . even though they got plenty of help from the referees. (NBC's Pro Football Talk) But this time the Packers were able to overcome poor officiating.
Peyton's in town next week, and he's coming here on a high note. (AP)
Rex Ryan continues to insist Mark Sanchez is "the answer at quarterback" for the Jets. (Pro Football Talk) Makes you wonder: What's the question?