Here's your wakeup call -- a combination of newsworthy andor interesting tidbits -- for Tuesday, January 8:
BASEBALL
The Rocket's rehabilitation continues. (NBC's Hardball Talk)
It's finally official (or will be once he passes his physical): Lance Berkman's a Ranger. (AP)
The D Train is pulling -- or is that limping? -- into Chicago. (AP)
Jose Lopez' long, steady decline from 2006 All-Star to 2012 minor-leaguer is now taking him to Japan. (AP)
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
At least Notre Dame won something last night. (AP) See below for sadder details.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
No controversy over the national champion this time, is there? (AP)
Eddie Lacy may leave Alabama for the NFL; he'll decide in the next few weeks. If he goes, we'll all remember his last game as a member of the Crimson Tide as a doozy. (AP)
There's a new Bear in Alabama, and his name is Nick. (nbcsports.com)
Barrett Jones played the game despite torn ligaments in his left foot (AP), though he was healthy to shove his own quarterback when they had an argument after being unable to get a play off on time.
There were lessons to be learned from last night's blowout; here are five of them. (NBC's Inside The Irish)
Another lesson -- as Manti Te'o goes, so goes Notre Dame -- was painfully evident, as well. (CSN Chicago)
And adding injury to insult . . . (CSN Chicago)
If you answered "everything" to this question, you were probably in the ballpark. (NBC's College Football Talk)
But the Irish say they're here to stay, and they certainly seem to be building the foundation of a program that can consistently compete for the national championship. (CSN Chicago)
Bill O'Brien "can't think of a better place to be" than Penn State. (AP)
Stanford's losing two of its tight ends. (AP)
GOLF
Underway at last! (AP)
HOCKEY
And now the fence-mending begins. Good luck, boys. You'll need it. (NBC's Pro Hockey Talk)
When all is said and done, it looks like it'll be a 48-game schedule. (AP)
The Blackhawks don't agree with Kevin Paul Dupont. (CSN Chicago) In case you're wondering what the Dupes reference is all about, click here. (CSN New England)
Once they finally get back on the ice, Vegas says the Penguins are the team to beat. (CSN Washington)
But the Devils hope that what happened once, will happen again. (AP)
PRO BASKETBALL
I know we all hate the Lakers up here, but after a while you have to start feeling sorry for them, don't you? No? (AP)
On any give Sunday (or Monday) . . . (AP)
Attention, Mark Cuban: Dirk Nowitzki's not crazy about your team-building strategies. (NBC's Pro Basketball)
And the Bucks aren't crazy about Scott Skiles' coaching. (AP)
Sixers, meet Andrew Bynum. Andrew Bynum, meet . . . (CSN Philly)
PRO FOOTBALL
To quote Archie Bunker on RGIII's knee: It don't look, eh, whaddya call, good. (NBC's Pro Football Talk)
And to quote Ricky Ricardo, Mike Shanahan's got some 'splainin' to do. (CSN Washington)
Guess there were no postgame tea and crumpets for the Redskins and Seahawks. (Pro Football Talk)
Nor for Bernard Pollard and a member of the Colts' coaching staff. (CSN Baltimore)
Speaking of the Seahawks, their worst fears were confirmed when Chris Clemons was ruled out for the rest of the playoffs. (AP)
Maybe it's me, but counting on Billy Cundiff to save the day doesn't seem like an optimal strategy. (CSN Bay Area)
Don't expect to see Willis McGahee on the field Saturday when the Broncos play the Ravens. The AFC Championship Game, now that's another story. (AP)
The latest name on the Eagles' checklist: Jay Gruden. (CSN Philly)
The Bears apparently hope that what the 49ers felt about Mike Singletary -- can't win with 'im; can't do it -- isn't true. (CSN Bay Area)
Bruce Arians is out of a Baltimore hospital and back in Indianapolis, though no one's saying what's wrong with him. (AP)
Old friend Matt Cavanaugh -- remember his days as the Patriots' backup QB, way back when? -- is out of a job, another victim of the SanchezTebow madness. (AP)
TENNIS
Australian Open officials, apparently feeling that past actions are the best indicator of future performance, make Novak Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka the top seeds. (AP)
Somewhere in the world, it's "too hot to play tennis". (AP)