Boston Celtics

BASEBALL American League * Chicago White Sox -- Optioned Norberto Martin (second baseman) to Vancouver of the Pacific Coast League.* Cleveland Indians -- Optioned Jeff Shaw and Mauro Gozzo (pitchers) to Colorado Springs of the Pacific Coast League. Waived Sergio Valdez (pitcher) for the purpose of giving him his unconditional release.* Texas Rangers -- Sent Kevin Belcher (outfielder), Monty Fariss (infielder) and Bill Haselman (catcher) to Oklahoma City of the American Association; and Gary Mielke (pitcher)

Opponent: Boston CelticsSite: Boston Garden, 7:30 p.m.Radio: WBAL (1090 AM), WTOP (1500 AM)TV: Channel 20Outlook: The Bullets (4-9) have won only one of seven road games. They dropped a 102-90 decision to the Celtics at the Capital Centre Nov. 17 when Baltimore native Reggie Lewis (21 points) triggered a fourth-quarter Boston rally. Bernard King was held to 16 points by the Bulls at Chicago Wednesday night, but maintained his league scoring lead at 29.2 ppg. The Celtics (11-2) have won seven straight and lead the Atlantic Division.

BaseballAtlanta Braves -- Optioned OF Jose Oliva to Triple-A Richmond. Recalled OF Mike Kelly from Richmond.Boston Red Sox -- Optioned C Eric Wedge to Triple-A Pawtucket. Recalled P Nate Minchey from Pawtucket.New York Mets -- Optioned P Juan Castillo to Triple-A Norfolk. Recalled P Doug Linton from Norfolk.Oakland Athletics -- Placed 1B Mark McGwire on the 15-day DL. Recalled OF Ernie Young from Triple-A Tacoma.San Diego Padres -- Assigned 3B Sean Drinkwater and SS Greg LaRocca to Single-A Rancho Cucamonga.

BASEBALLAmerican League* Texas Rangers -- Activated Brian Bohannon (pitcher) from the 60-day disabled list and optioned him to Oklahoma City of the American Association.National League* Philadelphia Phillies -- Placed Roger McDowell (pitcher) on the 15-day disabled list. Recalled Amalio Carreno (pitcher) from Scranton-Wilkes-Barre of the International League.BASKETBALL (NBA)* Atlanta Hawks -- Traded Spud Webb (guard) and a 1994 second-round draft pick to the Sacramento Kings for Travis Mays (guard)

BaseballPittsburgh Pirates -- Reached agreement on terms for two-year contracts with manager Jim Leyland, for $500,000, and general manager Larry Doughty.San Diego Padres -- Named John Barr assistant general manager. Fired Tom Romenesko, director of player development, and Dick Dent, trainer.Seattle Mariners -- Waived OF Jeffrey Leonard for purpose of giving him unconditional release.Toronto Blue Jays -- Have asked manager Cito Gaston and coaches Mike Squires, John Sullivan, Gene Tenace and Galen Cisco, to return next season.

Baseball Boston Red Sox -- IF/OF Steve Lyons filed for free agency.California Angels -- Hired 7-time batting champion Rod Carew hitting instructor. Named John Wathan and Ken Macha coaches.Cincinnati Reds -- OF Carmelo Martinez and OF Herm Winningham filed for free agency.Detroit Tigers -- OF Lloyd Moseby filed for free agency.Minnesota Twins -- OF Dan Gladden filed for free agency.New York Yankees -- Agreed to terms with P Steve Howe on a 1-year contract.Pittsburgh Pirates -- SS Curtis Wilkerson filed for free agency.

BaseballNew York Mets -- Named Tom Spencer outfield-base-running coach and first-base coach. Reassigned Chuck Hiller to roving infield instructor in the minor-league system and Mike Cubbage to third-base coach. Announced that pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre, assistant pitching coach/bullpen coach Greg Pavlick and dugout coach Doc Edwards will return for the 1991 season.Sun City Rays (Senior Professional Baseball Association) -- Traded OF George Foster and P Dave Rajsich to the St. Petersburg Pelicans for 2B Lenny Randle, OF Ricky Peters and OF Joel Youngblood.

WALTHAM, Mass. -- The Boston Celtics yesterday responded to the perception that they conduct business under racist terms, as portrayed in an ESPN report last night.A nationwide poll conducted by ESPN found the Celtics are viewed by far as the most prejudiced professional team in the United States. The Red Sox finished second in the poll."I treat people as individuals and I would hope that everyone would do the same," coach Chris Ford said. "Trying to label the Celtics as a racist organization is kind of difficult."

BOSTON -- It is an hour and a half before the Chicago Bulls' first appearance in the FleetCenter and I am in search of the Boston Celtics' mystery man.Thomas Hamilton.The 7-foot-2 mountain of a man who supposedly weighs in the vicinity of 375 pounds and sits at the end of the Celtics' bench in sweaters large enough to double as tents.The same Thomas Hamilton the Celts signed about a month ago and immediately placed on the injured list with a case of strep throat. The same strep throat that never seems to go away, penicillin or no penicillin, a Celtics version of a medical miracle.