It's Thursday

It's Thursday. Here's what's happening....

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Today is September 29th, the 272nd day of 2011. There are 93 days left in the year.

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ST PETERSBURG, Fl. -- Game 162 might well have been the Rays' finest hour. You won't soon see another like it.

Finding some untapped reserve of heart, the Rays erased a 7-0 deficit to the Yankees before taking an 8-7 walk-off win in the 12th to claim the American League Wild Card on Wednesday night.

With one out in the 12th and Evan Longoria at the plate, the score flashed across the scoreboard that the Orioles had defeated the Red Sox, 4-3, which meant a Rays win would get them to the postseason.

Moments later, Longoria laced a 2-2 pitch from Scott Proctor over the short porch in left to give the Rays the walk-off win..

Read the rest here.

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Lowell Thomas made his debut on CBS Radio on this date in 1930. He was in the radio business for the next 46 years.

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Sestito suspended for two regular season games.

Suspect charged in banana-throwing incident.

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Today's Birthdays: Ian McShane is 69 ... Bryant Gumbel is 63 ... Andrew Dice Clay is 54 ... Emily Lloyd is 41 ... Zachary Levi is 31.

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National Team Development Program Weekly Update

U.S. Nat'l U18 Team Wins Two of Three at Fall Classic; U17s Open USHL Regular Season

U17 TEAM OPENS USHL REGULAR SEASON AT HOME: The U.S. National Under-17 Team opens the United States Hockey League regular season with a pair of contests this weekend. On Friday, Sept. 30, the Youngstown Phantoms visit the Ann Arbor Ice Cube for a 7:00 p.m. ET tilt. The following night (Sat., Oct. 1), the Chicago Steel face-off against Team USA in another 7:00 p.m. ET showdown.

U18 TEAM RESTS UP FOR COLLEGE SHOWDOWNS: The U.S. National Under-18 Team will rest up this weekend in preparation for three straight contests against collegiate opponents the following week. Team USA will face the University of Michigan (Oct. 3), University of Denver (Oct. 7) and Colorado College (Oct. 8).

U18 TEAM BESTS OMAHA AT FALL CLASSIC: Stefan Matteau (Chicago, Ill.) scored one goal and added two assists and Riley Barber (Livonia, Mich.) notched two goals, including the game winner with less than 10 seconds left in the game, as the U.S. National Under-18 Team bested the Omaha Lancers, 4-3, at the Tyson Events Center. The game was Team USA's first of three played at the USHL Fall Classic. Team USA Scorers: Barber (2), Matthew Lane (Rochester, N.Y.), Matteau.

U18 TEAM OUTLASTS SIOUX CITY IN SECOND CLASSIC GAME: In Team USA's second game at the USHL Fall Classic, Riley Barber and Nicolas Kerdiles (Irvine, Calif.) scored two goals each as the U.S. National Under-18 Team outlasted the Sioux City Musketeers, 6-4, at the Tyson Events Center. Barber had two tallies for the second consecutive game and Kyle Osterberg (Lakeville, Minn.) and Stefan Matteau each collected two assists in the win. Team USA Scorers: Barber (2), Kerdiles (2), Quentin Shore (Denver, Colo.), Frankie Vatrano (East Longmeadow, Mass.).

U18 TEAM FALLS TO WATERLOO IN SHOOTOUT AT CLASSIC: In its final game of the USHL Fall Classic, the U.S. National Under-18 Team fell to the Waterloo Black Hawks in a shootout, 2-1, at the IBP Ice Center. Team USA finished 2-0-1 at the tournament. After a scoreless first period, the U.S. and Waterloo traded goals in the second. Neither team could connect again during regulation and the game was decided by a shootout, where Team USA came up short. Team USA Scorers: Matthew Lane.

UNDER-18 TEAM NEWS/NOTES: The 23 players on the U.S. roster represent nine different states. Illinois leads the way with five natives on the roster, while Massachusetts and Michigan each boast four … A total of 16 members of Team USA have verbally committed to NCAA Division I schools … Of the 17 games against college opponents, 12 are against NCAA Division I schools, including two that finished the 2010-11 season ranked in the top 10 of the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Men's College Hockey Poll (No. 2 University of Michigan and No. 7 University of Denver).... Seth Jones (Plano, Texas) participated in USA Hockey's National Junior Evaluation Camp in Lake Placid, N.Y. in August ... Brendan Silk (Wakefield, Mass.) was a part of the U.S. Under-18 Select Team that finished fifth in the 2011 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament ... Cameron Darcy (South Boston, Mass.), Miles Koules (Los Angeles, Calif.), Collin Olson (Apple Valley, Minn.), and Jacob Trouba (Rochester, Mich.) all participated in the National Hockey League's Research, Development and Orientation Camp Aug. 16-17 in Etobicoke, Ont. Nicolas Kerdiles was invited but did not participate due to injury.

UNDER-17 TEAM NEWS/NOTES: The 21 players on the U.S. National Under-17 Team roster represent 10 different states. Michigan and Minnesota both lead the way with five natives on the roster, while Illinois boasts three … A total of 16 members of Team USA have already verbally committed to NCAA Division I schools … A full-time elite development program in Ann Arbor, Mich., USA Hockey's National Team Development Program includes both the U.S. National Under-17 and Under-18 Teams. The teams will count jointly as one team in the United States Hockey League standings as a member of the Eastern Conference. Should the NTDP qualify, the U.S. National Under-17 Team will compete in the Clark Cup Playoffs ... Don Granato is in his first season at the NTDP and will serve as the head coach of the U.S. National Under-17 Team for the 2011-12 season, while Nick Fohr, who spent the last four seasons with the University of Nebraska-Omaha will serve as assistant coach. Matt Curley, returning for his second season with the NTDP, will also serve behind the bench as assistant coach.

For the complete weekly update, click here.

ABOUT THE NTDP: In 1996, USA Hockey launched a revolutionary new initiative called the National Team Development Program, based in Ann Arbor, Mich. Celebrating its 15th season of play in 2011-12, the goal of this full-time development program is to prepare student-athletes under the age of 18 for participation on U.S. National Teams and success in their future hockey careers. Its efforts focus not only on high-caliber participation on the ice, but creating well-rounded individuals off the ice.

USA Hockey Joins In Celebrating Inaugural World Girls' Hockey Day Sunday
U.S. Women's National Team Members Support Local Efforts in Celebration

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- USA Hockey will join with hockey federations around the world on Sunday (Oct. 2) for the first-ever World Girls' Hockey Day, created by the International Ice Hockey Federation to help grow girls' youth hockey.

"World Girls' Hockey Day helps create awareness around an ever-growing segment of our sport," said Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey. "It provides an opportunity to foster continued growth by inviting more girls and women to the rink."

World Girls' Hockey Day will introduce females of all ages to hockey in a positive, fun and safe environment while helping them learn about hockey opportunities in their communities. The day also promotes fair play, sportsmanship, teamwork and making new friends while playing hockey. Activities range from American Development Model (ADM) clinics, Mother/Daughter skates, Meet & Greet skates with teams and Try Hockey for Free opportunities.

Several members of the U.S. Women's National Team Program will join in the celebration, with the current schedule listed below.

NOTES: Seventy-six local hockey associations in the U.S. will host an event on Oct. 2 in celebration of World Girls' Hockey Day. Click here to find an event in your area ... Five colleges are also joining in the celebration: Harvard University is working with Waltham Youth Hockey Association for a Try Hockey for Free clinic; Northeastern University is working with the Middlesex Islanders; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) will participate with the Troy Albany Ice Cats in Troy, N.Y.; St. Cloud State University is hosting an event at their home rink, the National Hockey Center, and Yale University is working with the Connecticut Polar Bears in Killingworth, Conn. ... Looking for more information on World Girls' Hockey Day or coverage of the events as they are happening, use the hash tag #WGHD on Twitter.

World Girls' Hockey Day
U.S. Women's National Team Program Player Appearances

Athlete(s) Event/Host City Location Time (Local)
Meghan Duggan, Hilary Knight Try Hockey for Free Clinic Stoughton, Wis. Mandt Community Center 1:45 - 2:45 p.m.
Anne Schelper, Jen Schoullis Shakopee Youth Hockey Association/Mother & Daughter Skate with Friends Shakopee, Minn. Arena at Shakopee Community Center 11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Caitlin Cahow, Gigi Marvin, Bri Mastel, Molly Schaus Waltham Youth Hockey Association/Try Hockey for Free Clinic Waltham, Mass. Waltham Memorial Veterans Rink 2 - 4 p.m.
Kaliya Johnson, Annie Pankowski, Paige Savage North American Hockey Academy Game & Open Skate with Players Post-Game Jay, Vt. Jay Peak Ice Haus 4:15 - 6 p.m.

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Great American Beer Week starts today.

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Riders practice schedule.

The Roughriders travel to Calgary this Saturday, October 1st for a showdown with the Stampeders. Rod Pedersen and Carm Carteri have the call on 620 CKRM and the Rider Radio Network, beginning at 4:00pm EDT. The game can be seen in Canada on TSN and in the U.S. on the NFL Network and ESPN3.com.

Visit the team's official website at http://www.riderville.com/.

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This is National Attend Your Grandchild's Birth Day.

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New B.C. Place to become a modern wonder.

Stampeders regroup after tough week.

Kuale guarantees Argo victory in Battle of Ontario.

Donate to the Tony Proudfoot Fund.

Visit the leagues' official website, http://www.cfl.ca/.

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VFW Day is today. (Linky Link)

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Meet the Beavers: Rhys Murphy.

Visit the official football website by clicking here.

Visit the school's official athletics website by clicking here.

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Today is National Coffee Day.

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The 2011 NFL season is underway. Here's the week two results:

Week 3

Sunday, September 25th
At New Orleans 40, Houston 33
NY Giants 29 at Philadelphia 16
At Carolina 16, Jacksonville 10
At Buffalo 34, New England 31
At Cleveland 17, Miami 16
San Francisco 13 at Cincinnati 8
At Tennessee 17, Denver 14
Detroit 26 at Minnesota 23 (OT)
Baltimore 37 at St. Louis 7
At Oakland 34, NY Jets 24
At San Diego 20, Kansas City 17
At Seattle 13, Arizona 10
At Tampa Bay 16, Atlanta 13
Green Bay 27 at Chicago 17
Pittsburgh 23 at Indianapolis 20

Monday, September 26th
At Dallas 18, Washington 16

Week 4
All times Eastern

Sunday, October 2nd
Detroit at Dallas 1:00 PM
Carolina at Chicago 1:00 PM
Buffalo at Cincinnati 1:00 PM
Tennessee at Cleveland 1:00 PM
Minnesota at Kansas City 1:00 PM
Washington at St. Louis 1:00 PM
New Orleans at Jacksonville 1:00 PM
Pittsburgh at Houston 1:00 PM
San Francisco at Philadelphia 1:00 PM
NY Giants at Arizona 4:05 PM
Atlanta at Seattle 4:05 PM
Miami at San Diego 4:15 PM
New England at Oakland 4:15 PM
Denver at Green Bay 4:15 PM
NY Jets at Baltimore 8:20 PM

Monday, October 3rd
Indianapolis at Tampa Bay 8:30 PM

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Today is National Women's Health and Fitness Day.

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Want some milk Daddy?

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The radio quiz show "Double or Nothing" debuted on the Mutual Radio Network on this date in 1940.

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SAN FRANCISCO, Ca. -- Trying to strengthen his bid for a spot in next year's starting rotation, Eric Surkamp lasted only 4 2/3 innings as the reigning World Series champion Giants concluded their season with a 6-3 loss to the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday at AT&T Park.

The Giants finished 86-76 while posting their third consecutive winning season. But they're also the first defending champion not to reach the postseason since the 2007 St. Louis Cardinals..

Read the rest here.

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"The Adventures of Sam Spade" debuted on CBS Radio on this date in 1946.

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Today in Elvis History:

1956 - RCA Victor, by this day, had received 856,327 advance orders for "Love Me Tender" by Elvis Presley.

1957 - Elvis Presley's album "Loving You" hit #1 in the U.S.

1963 - Recording began on the soundtrack for the Elvis Presley movie "Kissin' Cousins." Only the instrumental tracks were laid because Elvis had a cold and could not sing.

1967 - Tennesee Governor Buford Elington declared "Elvis Presley Day."

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"Make Room for Daddy" premiered on ABC-TV on this date in 1953.

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Today in Beatles History:

1974 - John Lennon appeared on WNEW-FM in New York as a guest DJ.

1984 - Prince's single "Let's Go Crazy" hit No. 1. He then held the No. 1 single, album and film simultaneously. Only the Beatles had accomplished the feat previously.

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"My Three Sons" debuted on ABC-TV on this date in 1960.

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Today in Sports History:

1951 - The first network football game was televised by CBS-TV in color. The game was between the University of California and the University of Pennsylvania.

1957 - The New York Giants played their last game at the Polo Grounds. The next year the Giants were in San Francisco, CA.

1977 - Eva Shain became the first woman to officiate a heavyweight title boxing match. About 70 million people watched Muhammad Ali defeat Ernie Shavers on NBC-TV.

1986 - Mary Lou Retton announced that she was quitting gymnastics.

1992 - Magic Johnson announced that he was returning to professional basketball. The comeback ended the following November.

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"My Favorite Martian" premiered on CBS-TV on this date in 1963.

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Coming up:

Tonight:

NHL Pre-season Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning at Montreal Canadiens 7:30pm EDT

Friday --

MLB ALDS Series "B" -- Tampa Bay Rays at Texas Rangers 5:07pm (Game One, Best-of-Five)

Saturday --

College Football -- Oregon State Beavers vs Arizona Wildcats 3:30pm EDT

CFL Football -- Saskatchewan Roughriders at Calgary Stampeders 4:00pm EDT

MLB ALDS Series "B" -- Tampa Bay Rays at Texas Rangers 7:07pm (Game Two, Best-of-Five)

NHL Pre-season Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Montreal Canadiens at Quebec City, QC 7:00pm EDT

College Football -- Oregon State Beavers at Arizona State Sun Devils 10:30pm EDT

Nascar Nationwide Series -- OneMain Financial 200 at Dover International Speedway 3:30pm EDT

Sunday --

Nascar Sprint Cup Series -- AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway 2:00pm EDT

Izod Indy Car Series -- Kentucky Indy 300 at Kentucky Speedway 2:00pm EDT

Monday --

MLB ALDS Series "B" -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Texas Rangers 5:07pm (Game Three, Best-of-Five)

NFL Football -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Indianapolis Colts 8:30pm EDT

Tuesday --

MLB ALDS Series "B" -- Tampa Bay Rays at Texas Rangers TBD (Game Four, Best-of-Five) If necessary

Wednesday --

Nothin' Doin'.

Thursday --

MLB ALDS Series "B" -- Tampa Bay Rays at Texas Rangers TBD (Game Five, Best-of-Five) If necessary

Friday --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning at Carolina Hurricanes 7:00pm EDT (Regular season opener)

Saturday --

Nascar Nationwide Series -- Kansas Lottery 300 at Kansas Speedway 3:30pm EDT

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning at Boston Bruins 7:00pm EDT

Sunday --

Nascar Sprint Cup Series -- Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway 2:00pm EDT

NFL Football -- Tampa Bay Rays at San Francisco 49ers 4:05pm EDT

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That's it for today. Thanks for stopping by, I hope that you'll do so again tomorrow. Thanks again!