by By Cam Inman Staff columnist , Contra Costa Times

True story: Terrell Owens won a Michael Jackson look-alike contest at age 10, attracted more attention by strutting home through downtown Alexander City (Ala.) and then said: "Mama, I like to be looked at."

True or false: Owens will wear a white glove on his right hand this season as a tribute to Jackson. (Answer: TBD, though he did post "R.I.P." condolences on Twitter.)

Circle this date: Oct. 9. The Giants will open the National League playoffs as the wild card, and Stephen Curry will be suiting up for the Warriors in an exhibition game against the Lakers in Anaheim.

Also on that date: Sports Illustrated's cover will feature Jahvid Best for leading Cal past USC in their Pac-10 football tilt.

Awe-mazing: Tim Lincecum, the Giants' biggest star since Barry Bonds, has three complete games in his past four outings. Did Bonds even play three complete games his final season?

True or false: Lincecum is growing out his hair to turn it into dreadlocks as a direct challenge to the Dodgers' Manny Ramirez in the NL West pennant race.

Media blackout: Ramirez returns to the Dodgers on Friday after taking 50 games off for his maternity leave. But will any media be there to cover it, as every paparazzi in Los Angeles is on the Michael Jackson case, so to speak?

Star search: Lincecum and Matt Cain not only will make the National League All-Star team, they should pitch in that order (1-2) at the July 14 game in St. Louis. Pencil in former A's ace Dan Haren (league-low 2.19 ERA for Arizona) as the No. 3 pitcher.

Sick sense: Giants sensation Pablo Sandoval will get snubbed. He may be the National League's third-leading hitter, but the average fan is just learning about him. (Disclaimer: Giants fans are above average.)

True or false: To make amends for his reunion-night absence, the A's invited Jose Canseco to represent them at the All-Star Game, and they're making sure that invitation gets lost in the mail, too.

Budget suggestion: The A's should issue IOUs (a la California's government) to their fans for not fielding a balanced budget, er, roster.

Offseason surgery?: The "heart" of the A's lineup needs a four-way bypass (bye-bye Jason Giambi, Matt Holliday, Jack Cust and, oh, we already bid a sad farewell to Eric Chavez). Two-run homers by Cust and Giambi saved the A's from more heartache Wednesday, however.

Overheard: Raiders linebacker Kirk Morrison, an Oakland native and lifelong Raiders fan, said on ESPN: "Growing up in the Bay Area, you always had to hate the 49ers."

Like father, like son?: Not necessarily so with the Currys. Warriors coach Don Nelson said daddy Dell was a shooter, whereas son Stephen is a playmaker and "this guy makes people better around him."

Multiple choice: The Warriors will trade guard Monta Ellis (a) next week, (b) next month, (c) next year, (d) before his next offseason "moped" accident.

Word play: Carlos is the first Boozer who wants to stay in Utah. (He didn't opt out of his Jazz contract Tuesday, and the Warriors still should try trading for him.)

Bay Area sports' all-time "Jackson 5": Stephen (Warriors), DeSean (Cal football), Grady (Raiders), Rickey (49ers) and, once again, Reggie (A's).

More Oct. 9 futures: We'll really know if our sports scene's dark cloud has been lifted if the 49ers start at least 3-1 under Mike(mentum) Singletary, and if the Raiders are at least 3-1 after facing all three AFC West rivals (and then the Houston Texans).

Must-see TV: Raiders patriarch AL Davis, who turns 80 Saturday, appears tonight on Comcast SportsNet's "Chronicle Live."

Correction: That show's title is "(Another Bay Area newspaper) Live," according to our legal department.

True or false: Show host Greg Papa will follow each of Davis' answers by shouting: "Touchdown, Raiders!"

In case AL asks (again): My mother is doing fine, thanks.

Contact Cam Inman at cinman@bayareanewsgroup.com

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