Houston doctor backs
Tomjanovich in lawsuit
HOUSTON (AP) - A Houston surgeon testified yesterday the face of pro
basketball player Rudy Tomjanovich had to be rebuilt like "a jigsaw puzzle
. like putting a cracked egg-shell back together with Scotch Tape."
Dr. Daniel G. Walker, an oral and face surgeon, said in federal court he
had "never seen such damage made by a bare human fist. I have seen people
with less severe injuries not make it."
Walker, testifying in Tomjanovich's damage suit against the Los Angeles
Lakers, said in his two decades in practice he had seen severe damages done
in automobile accidents, airplane crashes and "perhaps when someone is hit
by a two-by-four board, but never with a fist."
Tomjanovich, a forward, captain and once high scorer for the Houston
Rockets, is suing the Lakers for an amount of damages unspecified, but ex-
ceeding $1 million, for injuries received when he was hit by Kermit
Washington, then a member of the Lakers.
The Rockets are suing the Lakers for an additional $1.4 million for the loss
of Tomjanovich during most of the 1977-78 season.
Washington, now playing for the San Diego Clippers, was suspended for 60
days and fined $10,000 by National Basketball Association Commissioner
Lawrence O'Brien.
Tomjanovich, who played at Michigan from 1967-70, was injured the night
of Dec. 9, 1977, during a game at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif.
Walker testified that Tomjanovich will be troubled throughout his life with
pressure on his sinuses, problems with and possible loss of his teeth, the
danger of infection and the susceptibility to meningitis.
Under cross-examination, Walker said that, in his opinion, "if Mr. Tom-
janovich wanted to play again, he could play at his own risk."
The surgeon admitted that his opinion also was based on the fact he "didn't
want to take the medical responsibility" because of the possibility of
malpractice suits should Tomjanovich be injured again.
But, the physician said, "Many of the smalled bones broken will never heal
in his lifetime. His facial structure will never be as strong as before. He
could receive an injury of a much lesser degree and suffer severe injuries -
for example, if he had a bad fall on the tennis court or struck his head on the
dashboard of a car."
The Michigan Daily-Wednesday, August 8, 1979-Page 11
SPORTS OF THE DAILY
Pistons, Celtics talk
By The Associated Press
NEW YORK-Commissioner Law-
rence F. O'Brien of the National
Basketball Association yesterday
directed the Boston Celtics and Detroit
Pistons to continue negotiating until'
Aug. 21 in an effort to determine com-
pensation for M.L. Carr, a former
Piston signed asa free agent last month
by the Celtics.
The Celtics want O'Brien to decide on
compensation for the Pistons.
An NBA spokesman said O'Brien
would become involved if the issue is
not resolved by Aug. 21.
Celtics Vice President Jeff Cohen
said Tuesday the teams are far from an
agreement. The Pistons first demanded
Celtics center Dave Cowens and lately
have sought forward Bob McAdoo.
Boston reportedly has offered for-
ward Cedric Maxwell.
* * *
Roman hoop?
CLEVELAND-The Cleveland
Cavaliers said yesterday that their top
two draft picks, both from Notre Dame,
have been offered lucrative contracts
with Italian basketball teams. 'And
sources close to the families of 6-foot-9
forward Bruce Flowers and 6-11 center
Bill Laimbeer said the two are
seriously considering the offers.
Jimmy Rodgers, the Cavaliers'
director of playe' personnel, said the
National Basketball Association team
hopes both players will hold off a
decision until Cleveland makes a firm
financial offer.
The Cavaliers had no first-round pick
in the June draft, then picked Flowers
second and Laimbeer third. Rodgers
confirmed both players have been of-
fered contracts with Italian teams and
that the lure of a six-figure contract
could be a deciding factor.
Yanks honor contract
NEW YORK-Thurman Munson's
contract with the New York Yankees
will pay his widow, Diane, $1 million
over the next three years.
Munson, killed in the crash of his
private plane last Thursday, was
signed through 1981, receiving $400,000
a year. The contract was guaranteed
and did not include the usual clause
which absolves a team from payments
in the event of death while flying a
private plane.
"The contract is clear on this sub-
ject," said Dick Moss, Munson's
lawyer. "I'm sure there will be no
problem. The Yankees honor their
agreements."
* * *
Lions axed
ROCHESTER, Mich.-The Detroit
Lions have cut veteran defensive back
Bruce Rhodes and four free agents, it
was announced yesterday.
Others waived by the National Foot-
ball League team were kicker Rade
Savich, wide receiver L.P. Williams,
linebacker John Kerley and running
back Joe Smith.
The Lions also announced that
veteran defensive back Levi Johnson
has failed the team's physical
examination because of a knee injury
suffered during the 1977 season.
HOW TO
GET BETTER
MILEAGE FROM
YOUR CAR...
Obey the 55 mph speed limit.
Keep your engine tuned.
AP Photo
Phrro-hFor a free booklet with more easy
v w h ""energy-saving tips, write "Energy,'
Box 62, Oak Ridge, TN 37810.
.. the umpire, or he just might decide to show you who's boss. Umpire Steve Palermo appears to be demonstrating
his supremacy to Baltimore Oriole John Lowenstein and Yankee catcher Brad Gulden, but he's actually removing the
bat from action at the plate Monday night in New York. Lowenstein was not only beaten to the plate; but seems to beufte
onthe~verge ofbeing beaten attheplate. U.S Department o Energy