Holmes Would Like a Second Opinion

Former heavyweight champion Larry Holmes, testifying before a New Jersey committee looking to impose more stringent regulations on boxing in the state, said qualified doctors should give thorough pre- and post-fight examinations.

That, Holmes said, had not always been the case during his own career. In particular, he mentioned a conversation he had with a doctor on the day of a September 1983 fight in New Jersey.

“How are you?” the doctor asked.

“I’m fine,” Holmes said he responded.

“OK. You can go,” replied the physician.

Trivia time: Montreal Expo shortstop Hubie Brooks has 10 home runs to lead the National League. Who was the last shortstop to lead the NL in homers? (answer below).

Predictions: Here’s what basketball writer Thomas Bonk of The Times saw in his crystal ball in October, 1983 while previewing the NBA season:

“Houston spent $5 million to sign Ralph Sampson for four years and that’s just about how long it should take for the Rockets to turn things around.”

Well, maybe not quite three.

Signs of the times: There was no garage numbered “13” in the old Indianapolis Motor Speedway layout, but the new garage area has one. Geoff Brabham, who was assigned garage 13, has taken the sign down.

“I may be in ‘13,’ but I don’t have to look at the number,” Brabham said. “Call it superstition, call it prudence.”

Rick Miaskiewicz’s problem, meanwhile, has to do with letters, not numbers. Drivers have signs above their garages, indicating the name(s) of their sponsor(s).

Not so for Miaskiewicz. His orange sign has a single word on it: “Unsponsored.”

“I wanted to put ‘This Space For Hire’ on it, but I thought Speedway officials might get mad,” Miaskiewicz said. “Maybe, though, some passerby will see it and give me a good deal.”

Add basketball: If the Celtics win the NBA championship, they will become the winningest team in league history over a single season, including playoffs. A title would give the Celtics 82 victories this season--67 in the regular season and 15 in the playoffs. The 1971-72 Lakers won 81 (69 and 12) and the 1967 Philadelphia 76ers won 79 (68 and 11).

Trivia answer: Ernie Banks, who hit 41 for the Cubs in 1960. Quotebook

Washington Post columnist Thomas Boswell, observing that it takes less to win in the Angels’ division: “In the American League West, where clubs are lucky if all 24 players get their shoes on the proper feet, it’s no sweat if you stink for 80 or 100 games.”