Wakeup Call: End of year, but not end of line, for Jeter

Here's your wakeup call -- a combination of newsworthy and/or interesting tidbits -- for Thursday, September 12:

AUTO RACING

BASEBALL

So what happened in the playoff races last night? Click here to find out. (CSNNE.com)
It's the end of the season, but -- he vows -- not the end of the line for Derek Jeter. And hopefully he's learned his lesson about pushing the rehab time on serious injuries in order to meet artificial deadlines, like Opening Day. (AP)
Jose Fernandez acts like quite the chooch in his final start of the year, but at least a) he realizes it and b) apologizes for it. That's a refreshing change from many other MLB -- and NFL/NBA/NHL -- chooches, who never realize it and certainly never apologize for it. (AP)
The Phillies make no effort to hide their lust for Giancarlo Stanton. Trouble is, he belongs to another. (CSN Philly)

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Long-time Big East rivals Syracuse and Georgetown won't be playing this year now that the Orange have bolted for the ACC, but apparently they're talking about a 10-year deal to meet annually starting in 2014-15. (CSN Washington)

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Looks like it was more than just payoffs to players at Oklahoma State. (AP)
And it looks like Oklahoma State isn't the only place where players got paid. (AP)
Nick Saban is sounding -- and acting -- like a guy waiting for a tap on the shoulder from the NCAA about this. (Yahoo! Sports)
But you know what? Oklahoma State -- and Johnny Manziel, and D.J. Fluker, and all the other scandals -- aren't the real problem. The real problem is the farce that is the NCAA and the concept of "amateurism" in a big-money sporting venue like college football. (Yahoo! Sports)
LSU coach Les Miles, who was at Oklahoma State during the time many of the problems being chronicled by Sports Illustrated occurred, is trying to get out in front of it. Good luck with that, Les. (AP)
Wait a minute, wait a minute. We're two games into the season and we're firing coaches? (AP)
And giving them votes of confidence? (AP)
And spreading rumors about poaching the NFL for a new coach? (AP)

HOCKEY

Youth won't be served in Jersey, that's for sure. (AP)
The season isn't a day old, and already the Hurricanes have lost Joni Pitkanen until 2014-15. (AP)
The Stanley Cup champs reward GM Stan Bowman with a contract extension. (CSN Chicago)
Cody Hodgson will be in Buffalo for at least six more years. (AP)

PRO BASKETBALL

Old friend Fab Melo finds a home -- or at least a training-camp invite -- in Dallas. (AP)
And another old friend, Jason Terry, comes up with the quote of the year regarding the Knicks' championship guarantee. (NBC's Pro Basketball Talk)
Boy, some people sure took this the wrong way . . . (Pro Basketball Talk)
Speaking of Kobe Bryant -- you'll have to click the previous link to know why we're speaking of Kobe Bryant -- he's still not sure he'll be ready for the opener. He really ought to take examine the Derek Jeter case study to see what happens when you insist on rushing your rehab in order to be in the lineup when the season starts. (Pro Basketball Talk)
That 'Melo-to-L.A. talk is everywhere. Even Brooklyn. (AP)
As rumored, Michael Beasley's returning to the Heat . . . though apparently he had to beg his way back. (AP)

PRO FOOTBALL

Is Roger Goodell wavering on his stance that the Redskins shouldn't change their name? (AP)
The Eagles' season-opening win over the 'Skins certainly impressed DeSean Jackson. (CSN Philly)
Von Miller's starting to irritate his boss. (AP)
Especially as Miller's problems continue to escalate. (NBC's Pro Football Talk)
Ndamukong Suh's got his own set of problems, but facing a police charge for waving a pellet gun in front of a cable company employee isn't one of them. (AP)
The Steelers hope Le'Veon Bell will be back in a month. (Pro Football Talk)