
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, April 6, 1990                   TAG: 9004060047
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B6   EDITION: STATE 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: SAN FRANCISCO                                LENGTH: Medium

HOWE GETS LAST CHANCE FOR CAREER

Steve Howe, whose major-league pitching career was cut short by alcohol and drug abuse, will be back in a baseball uniform today.

The right-hander, who was suspended six times and unofficially banned from baseball the past two years, signed Wednesday with the Salinas Spurs of the Class A California League and will be with the team today when it opens the season, said owner Joe Buzas.

"If he keeps clean, he can stay here all year," Buzas said. "He'll also be free to sign with a major-league club anytime he's able."

Howe was released by the Texas Rangers on Jan. 19, 1988, for using alcohol in violation of his aftercare program. But he received permission last month from baseball Commissioner Fay Vincent to return to the majors as early as next season.

Buzas said he felt sorry for Howe, 32, who has a wife and two young children to support.

"Maybe he's sincere, maybe not," Buzas said. "I think he is. How many times can you go around? If he doesn't do it now, he'll never get another chance. The major leagues tested him and gave him clearance. He'll be tested here every second or third day. He wants to be tested."

Buzas said he vacillated for a few days about whether to sign Howe, but agreed after talks with the player and his agent, Dick Moss.

"I feel good about it," said Buzas, who would not disclose Howe's salary but indicated it was not large. "He sounds like a good kid, and I think it was the right thing to do."

Howe, reached Wednesday at his home in Whitefish, Mont., said he didn't want to talk about his comeback, but did say: "The Lord is faithful, and I got a new start. I'm leaving [Thursday]."

Buzas said Howe, the 1980 National League Rookie of the Year as a reliever for the Los Angeles Dodgers, wanted to be a reliever again, but probably will be asked to start after taking a week or so to prepare.

The Spurs are an independent team in the same league that Howe played in four years ago, when he signed with San Jose. He was suspended in midseason that year, allegedly for testing positive for cocaine use.

by CNB