Palmer’s Later Career Got Sneak Peek in Beverly Hills

Adding background to Jim Palmer’s comeback at 45, Tom Callahan of the Washington Post recently chronicled part of the Hall of Fame pitcher’s childhood:

“When Palmer was 9, his father died suddenly, rendering him, for a time, devastatingly insecure. The stepfather who eventually came along brought fantasy to the family, and glamour.

“He was a Hollywood actor--character parts mostly--whose television credits included ‘Highway Patrol’ and ‘Playhouse 90.’ He had a house in Beverly Hills. James Cagney, Peter Lorre and Frank Sinatra were neighbors. Best of all, (Tony) Curtis and (Janet) Leigh resided directly across the lane.

“ ‘I would set my alarm clock every morning,’ Palmer said, ‘so I could be at the window when Janet came out in her pink peignoir to pick up the paper.’ This may have constituted his original interest in underwear. ‘That’s p-e-i-g-n-o-i-r,’ said Palmer, probably the only man in the minor or major leagues who could spell lingerie.”

Trivia time: Which former NBA general manager was named ABA coach of the year in 1970-71?

Sign the kid: The hoopla continues to build in Quebec City, where fans wouldn’t mind seeing the Nordiques finish the season with the NHL’s worst record.

Their reward would be the first pick in the draft, a chance to obtain wunderkind Eric Lindros.

As the Nordiques took the ice before a recent home game, a student from Laval University in Quebec City, wearing skates and a jersey decorated with No. 88 and the name “Lindros” on the back, leaped over the rail and joined them.

Sounds like hype: Space limitations prohibit listing all 26 major league teams’ promotional slogans for 1991, but the following samples are offered as a public service:

Cleveland Indians: “We’re a Major League Good Time.”

Milwaukee Brewers: “You Gotta Be There.”

Houston Astros: “Let Yourself Go.”

St. Louis Cardinals: “Dancin’ in the Seats.”

San Diego Padres: “Sounds Like a Good Time.”

Near-perfect fit: Shortly after the Seattle SuperSonics traded Olden Polynice to the Clippers for Benoit Benjamin, Steve Kelley of the Seattle Times recalled the time Benjamin showed up for a game with two left sneakers. Kelley continued:

“The Sonics will play the remaining 31 games of the regular season and their first-and-only round of the playoffs with a rent-a-center. Benjamin is theirs until the season is over. It is going to take a lot to keep him after that.

“Anybody who thinks Benjamin will sign for a paltry $3 million is carrying Benjamin’s two right shoes.”

Trivia answer: Al Bianchi, who was fired Friday by the New York Knicks.

Quotebook: Amateur boxer Chris Byrd, after watching his brother Pat lose a match: “I usually cry when he loses, but I didn’t want my opponent to think I was a sissy.”