Last night’s Wild Card-clinching drama is being called "the greatest games played in one regular-season night in the history of baseball" by ESPN’s Tim Kurkjian, who said, "We’ve played 200,000 games in the history of this sport and there cannot have been a regular-season night quite like tonight." Kurkjian: "This is why baseball is the greatest game" (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 9/29). The Rays clinched the AL Wild Card and the Cardinals won the NL Wild Card in a night that the ST. PETERSBURG TIMES' John Romano calls "drama at the highest level and with the greatest of endings." Romano notes the AL race featured "two games being played simultaneously 1,000 miles apart, and both ending on walkoffs as night turned to morning. ... They write books about this kind of thing" (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 9/29). From a "morgue-like clubhouse," Red Sox GM Theo Epstein said, “This is one for the ages, isn’t it?” (BOSTON HERALD, 9/29).

Much of last night's drama took place just before and after midnight. The Phillies won a 13-inning game against the Braves 4-3 at 11:40pm ET, eliminating Atlanta from the playoffs. The Orioles tied the Red Sox at 11:59pm and hit a walkoff single at 12:02am. Rays 3B Evan Longoria hit a walkoff homer at 12:05am for an 8-7 win against the Yankees (ESPN.com, 9/28). Attendance for the Yankees-Rays game at Tropicana Field was 29,518 (MLB).

The BOSTON HERALD's Scott Lauber characterized the night as a "spectacular juxtaposition of dejection and elation." The BOSTON GLOBE's Chad Finn writes, "If you're a baseball fan first, it's a night you'll never forget." The Baltimore SUN's Dan Connolly writes the vibe at Camden Yards was one of "tense moments, jump-to-your-feet excitement, a pennant-race atmosphere for a cellar-dwelling club that began the night 29 games out of first place." The SUN's David Zurawik: "What a great night of TV baseball. What a fine job ESPN did of offering the key games." The ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH's Bryan Burwell said of the Cardinals clinching, "This is one of the most historic, improbable, nerve-racking, frustrating, exhilarating finishes I've ever been around."

Reactions from the Twitter-verse: SI.com’s Richard Deitsch tweeted, "Great job tonight by both ESPN & MLB Net, especially updating score and situation of games not currently on that screen." RLR Associates Managing Dir of Sports Media Andrew Fine: "ESPN should be incredibly proud of @notthefakesvp, @StuartScott & SC producers tonight. Stellar job recapping tonight's events." But Broadcasting & Cable's Ben Grossman posted, "Why did I trash Stuart Scott? Schtick is fine in July. Tonight: stop singing, screaming & respect the game and the power of what unfolded." Wired sportswriter Erik Malinowski: "MLB Network should earn some sort of Emmy or Peabody for tonight's coverage." John Osborn, President & CEO at BBDO, N.Y., tweeted, "Atlanta Journal-Constitution brawls with Boston Herald for ownership of 'Home Team Collapse' headline in tomorrow's paper. Winner: MLB."

UFC Dir of Canadian Operations Tom Wright today in Ottawa will continue the MMA promotion's campaign to be sanctioned throughout all of Canada. Wright and Canadian fighters Mark Hominick and Yves Jabouin are slated to "meet MPs and senators, attend Question Period and renew acquaintances" with Canada Minister of Heritage & Official Languages James Moore, "whose portfolio includes sports." The UFC is seeking a "rewording of Section 83 (2) of the Criminal Code" so that MMA is "exempted from prosecution" nationwide (CP, 9/29). 

Dewey & LeBoeuf LLC, lead counsel for the Dodgers in their bankruptcy case, yesterday filed a request with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware for compensation of $835,928.50 in attorneys fees and $48,357.92 in expenses for its work on behalf of the club during the month of August. The request brings the total legal fees in the case to date to more than $2.8M.

The U.S. Trustee assigned to the case earlier this month sought to have first-month legal billings reduced by $352,742, a motion yet to be ruled upon. MLB is also seeking to have the firm, along with Dodgers co-counsel Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, disqualified from the case amid claims of conflict-of-interest.

The Univ. of Missouri Board of Curators reportedly will meet Tuesday to discuss the school's "position in conference realignment scenarios." The most likely result stemming from the meeting "would be formal authorization for MU to explore admission to another conference." But a decision "to either stay in the Big 12 or leave is not anticipated." Sources said that the curators' "prime concern is a Big 12 exit fee" of as much as $40M (K.C. STAR, 9/29).

Meanwhile, the presidents of Big East schools this weekend "will discuss the future of the conference at a meeting" in DC. The meeting is a "confidential gathering for conference presidents only and will not involve other university officials" (AP, 9/28).

At a Ramsey County, Minn., public hearing last night on the Vikings' stadium plans, there were "dozens of residents saying they want a chance to vote down the proposal." Speakers "lining up against the team's plan overwhelmingly outnumbered the supporters at the hearing." The Ramsey County Charter Commission, which organized the session, "could decide immediately after the next hearing, Oct. 11, whether to put the issue to the voters in 2012" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 9/29).

ON24 today will announce that it has selected MLB Giants P Brian Wilson to host VUE2011, the webcasting/virtual event solutions company's annual virtual user conference. Wilson, an avid social media user, is the first pro athlete to host such a summit. The Nov. 17 event is designed to show the benefits of communicating virtually with large numbers of people without the time and expense associated with hosting an event in a physical location like a convention center or hotel space (ON24).

Sixteen-year-old golfer Lexi Thompson, who won the Navistar LPGA Classic earlier this month, as soon as today "will file her petition" for LPGA membership, according to her manager, Bobby Kreusler. Thompson is seeking a waiver of the LPGA's age floor so she "could accept the membership and 2-year exemption that comes with winning an LPGA tournament" (NBCSPORTS.com, 9/28).

Paul McCartney reportedly "could perform" at Target Field next summer. McCartney tentatively had a show scheduled at the ballpark this month that was "canceled due to overbooking" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 9/29).

The Bruins today will begin the presale of their official championship season commemorative book, "Full 60 to History: The Inside Story of the 2011 Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins." The presale begins at 10:00am ET on the team's website (Bruins).

"I could care less about feathers. I don't have any feathers and I don't care about him ruffling anybody" – Marlins Owner Jeffrey Loria, on hiring the outspoken Ozzie Guillen to manage his team (PALM BEACH POST, 9/29).

"Walter, like all of us, wasn't perfect" – The opening of a statement from late Pro Football HOFer Walter Payton's family, on Jeff Pearlman's book, "Sweetness," which contains some unflattering assertions about his personal life (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 9/29).

"It's pathetic, and I don't want to talk about it" – ESPN's Mike Ditka, who coached Walter Payton, on the "Sweetness" book (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 9/29).

"I wouldn't want to be sitting across from me at a hearing" – NHL Senior VP/Player Safety Brendan Shanahan, on the numerous suspensions and fines he accumulated during his 21-year playing career (N.Y. TIMES, 9/29).

"The longer the lockout goes on, people still want to see basketball. If you can continue to see NBA players go out and play hard like we did at the Palestra, people will want to see us" – Suns F Hakim Warrick, who helped organize the "Battle of I-95" charity game in Philadelphia that included LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 9/29).

"When you're in professional sports sometimes, you get the impression that more people care than really do. And you better be careful, because there are other things people can do with their income" – ABC's Jeff Van Gundy, who feels that some fans will stay away from the NBA after the lockout is resolved (NJ.com, 9/29).

Pastime Group President Grant Christensen: "Baseball's best night ever and the NFL is on its way to its highest scoring season ever. The NBA? #fail"

Rays manager Joe Maddon: "Can't express enough gratitude to Buck and the Os for their incredible professionalism. We don't do this without their respect for the game."

Fox Sports Radio's Ben Maller: "TV Executives will burst into tears if the Tampa Bay Rays play the Milwaukee Brewers in the World Series."

Boston Globe's Kevin Paul Dupont: "How many days before Sox announce increase in 2012 tix prices?"

Sporting KC Exec VP/Revenue Andrew Steinberg: "Amazing atmosphere in @LIVESTRONGPark as @SportingKC secures sole possession of 1st! Huge props 2 @KCCauldron & our amazing fans #WeBelieve."

Heat F LeBron James: "Just wrapping up 2 Days of Nike commercials. I'm beat! Can't wait to see how they turn out though #basketballneverstops"

If you see a tweet we will not want to miss, send it to us at editorial@sportsbusinessdaily.com. 

Bay Area News Group reporter Cam Inman snapped this shot of the 49ers' first day of practice at Youngstown State Univ. 49ers President & CEO Jed York is from Youngstown and is having the team practice there ahead of Sunday's game against the Eagles in Philadelphia.

The Sabres and Delaware North Cos. Sportservice will unveil sweeping changes to the food lineup at First Niagara Center during a noon ET tasting for local media members at the arena.

The AFL and New Orleans VooDoo will host a news conference at New Orleans Arena to make a major announcement. AFL Commissioner Jerry Kurz and VooDoo Owner Dan Newman are slated to attend the event.

Last night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “The Changing U.S.A.”

“According to the census, this point has progressed westward since the U.S. was founded and has moved southwest since the 1960s.”

Heat G Dwyane Wade appeared on NBC’s “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon” last night. Host Jimmy Fallon and Wade went “head-to-head in a random object three-point shootout.” The two shot baskets using objects such as a mannequin head, a Starbucks Frappuccino, a plastic pink flamingo, vegetable lo mein and a hot dog toaster oven. Wade won 2-0, sinking the flamingo and the lo mein. Fallon told Wade, “NBA lockout. I’m bummed out. I can tell you’re bummed out too. What are you going to do?” Wade: “I was in the back and I was thinking I could just come and work here. I got a certain amount of money I need to make so maybe we can talk about it.” Fallon: “Not here. It won't happen on this show” (“Late Night With Jimmy Fallon,” NBC, 9/28).

Olympic Gold Medalist Usain Bolt appeared on ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live” last night, and host Jimmy Kimmel challenged him to a 40-yard dash for his “Jimmy’s Ridiculous Challenge.” But to makes things fair, Bolt had to race while carrying a large wedding cake. Bolt accepted the challenge so Kimmel asked Bolt, “Are you prepared to become the second-fastest man in the world?” Bolt: “That’s not going to happen.” Bolt added, “This will be a piece of cake.” Kimmel: “It doesn’t look that sturdy to me. This is why it’s called a ‘Ridiculous Challenge.’” Kimmel defeated Bolt, crossing the finish line backwards taunting Bolt. Kimmel: “Wow Usain, I’m really surprised at how slow you run. It’s a good thing they don’t run the Olympics with a cake” (“Jimmy Kimmel Live,” ABC, 9/28).

Fox Sports Radio’s Matt “Money” Smith appeared on NBC’s “Last Call With Carson Daly” last night and host Carson Daly called him “the Ryan Seacrest of sports” because of his many jobs. Smith is now a contributor on NFL Network for fantasy football. Smith said fantasy is a “multiple billion dollar industry. It's really one of the main contributors for why the NFL is now the most popular sport in America.” Daly asked, “The NFL financially banking off the success of fantasy as well?” Smith: “They make a fortune because you have to license the teams, the names from the NFL and NFL Players Association in order to run a fantasy league.” Smith said for fantasy players, the season “becomes a major component of their life from September through December.” Daly said, “It makes sense that you talk sports all day long because you go home to a beautiful wife and three girls. You have so much estrogen in your house” (“Last Call With Carson Daly,” NBC, 9/29).

MONOLOGUES:

CBS’ David Letterman: “It's the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, and that means just about now, somewhere out on the campaign trail, Republican presidential candidate Michele O'Bachmann is mispronouncing Rosh Hashanah. … Anybody been down to Times Square? A long time ago when I first came to New York and Times Square was really Times Square. I mean, when you got out of a cab, the guy says, ‘Run in a zigzag pattern,’ because the gunfire, ding, ding, wang! And then, somebody paid off the city, and they turned it into Disney World. Now it's like Disney World down there and it's all tourists: ‘Oh, wow! Look at this. This is something.’ Now Mayor Bloomberg says he's going to spend billions of dollars remaking Times Square. Yeah, what about finishing the 2nd Avenue subway? When are we going to get that son of a bitch finished? Come on now! Construction will begin on the big renovation down there in Times Square. Only thing holding them up now is they're trying to find temporary housing for the rats. … Out in California they started the Michael Jackson trial. Oh man, have you seen the guy, the doctor? Oh, it's rough. I mean, today he didn't help himself. He stood up and pleaded ‘creepy.’ … The Republicans are begging Chris Christie to come and be the president. Big guy, big, big guy, and I thought, ‘Now, wait a minute. This might make sense.’ They want him to run in 2012. Coincidentally, that's his cholesterol. If you elect Chris Christie president, you can say good-bye to pardoning the White House turkey. That ain't going to happen. … We would have a 400-pound president. We would owe China more money just for takeout. ‘Hey, bring it, fatty.’ That's what everybody would say” (“Late Show,” CBS, 9/28).

NBC’s Jay Leno: “Just days after President Obama demanded action on his jobs bill, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced the Senate would take a week-long vacation. Vacation from what? Don't you have to do something before you go on vacation? … On the GOP side of things, Republican presidential hopeful Herman Cain won the Florida straw poll on Saturday, soundly beating Rick Perry. This is big news in the Bible belt because now you have Cain and someone who is not able. … How is this for insensitive: Hallmark just launched a line of unemployment cards. They're ‘Sorry you lost your job’ cards and you send them to unemployed friends. What's really insulting, the cards are made in China. … Nothing against Hallmark, but rather than send a $3 card, why don't you just give your friend the $3? At least you can buy a beer with it. … The movie ‘Dolphin Tale’ opened this weekend. It's about a dolphin that loses its tail in an accident, and they save his life by reattaching an artificial tail. Incredible story of hope. But you know, sadly, there's some dolphins that have no hope, like the Miami Dolphins. … Despite having broken ribs, quarterback Tony Romo led his Dallas Cowboys to victory Monday night. And in a related story, today the Kansas City Chiefs coach took his quarterback Matt Cassel out and broke his ribs. … German researchers have found that Adolf Hitler was given a speeding ticket in 1931. You know, why do the tabloids have to dig up this kind of stuff and ruin people’s reputation? … There’s a new trend called ‘textercise.’ It's combines text messaging with exercise. You run with headphones on, you listen to music and you text while running. Or as Darwin calls that, ‘thinning out the herd’” (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 9/28).

LATE NIGHT LAUGHS:

Last night’s Top Ten list was “Top Ten Reasons Andy Rooney Is Retiring.” Host Dave Letterman: “He has been featured on ‘60 Minutes’ since 1978, and he will have contributed 1,097 essays. That's remarkable. … He's the last of the old-guard, my God, and we should salute and remember him and thank him for all his service” (“Late Show,” CBS, 9/28).

10) “Needs break from grueling three-minute-a-week schedule.”
9) “He was pushed out by that cocky young upstart, Morley Safer.”
8) “These days, whenever he hears that ticking stopwatch, he thinks he’s being chased by a crocodile.”
7) “Wants to try this ‘hiking in Iran’ thing he’s heard so much about.”
6) “He was fired for pushing Steve Kroft down a flight of stairs.”
5) “Got angry when CBS rejected his piece on how to defeat the Kaiser.”
4) “Wanted to retire while he still looked good on camera.”
3) “Looking to spend more time with his kids, grandkids, great-grandkids, great-great-grandkids, and great-great-great-grandkids.”
2) “Leno wanted the job.”
1) “Always promised himself he’d quit 20 years after he ran out of things to say.”

“What is the mean center, or population center, of the U.S.?”