Checkered Past

Heavyweight champ Hasim Rahman's victory parade in Baltimore was cut short last week when the convertible carrying him and his wife, Crystal, collided with a cab. That reminded us that sports figures and taxis have had a long, eventful history:

1936
Baron Gottfried Von Cramm is injured in taxi accident on his way to Wimbledon final against Fred Perry. Limping badly, Von Cramm loses in straight sets.

1963
A hotel in which the Angels are staying catches fire at 5 a.m. As players gather in street, manager Bill Rigney says, "My God! [Pitcher Bo] Belinsky's not here! He must be inside!" Right then, cab pulls up and Belinsky falls out, returning from night of partying.

1977
Celtics center Dave Cowens takes job driving taxis, just for the experience. "I took only one guy the long way," said Cowens. "He was a Knick fan. He deserved it."

1978
Spirit of fractious Red Sox immortalized in derogatory observation "25 guys, 25 cabs."

1981
University of Houston hoops coach Guy Lewis tells a recruit from Nigeria he won't pick him up at airport and to catch a cab instead. The player mistakenly tells hack to go to University of Austin. Luckily for Lewis, driver takes Akeem Olajuwon to right school.

1985
Ex- New York City cabbie Danny Sullivan wins Indy 500.

1990
Suffering from flu, Mariners pitcher Randy Johnson skips team bus to Yankee Stadium in favor of cab. En route, Johnson vomits in back seat.

1992
On way to catch team charter to Green Bay, Steelers lineman Carlton Haselrig crashes car and suffers head and chest injuries. After hospital visit Haselrig takes commercial flight to Chicago but passes out in airport and misses connection. He then takes taxi to Green Bay. Fare for 200-mile trip: $500.

1992
Deion Sanders leaves $100,000 in jewelry in Houston cab. Next day cabbie returns stash; Sanders gives him $1,000.