Howe Gets Release from Twins to Concentrate on Recovery

Relief pitcher Steve Howe, who admitted to Minnesota Twins officials he used cocaine during an unexplained weekend absence, Tuesday was granted his unconditional release.

The Twins said the 27-year-old left-hander asked to be released from his contract to “devote his immediate and full attention to his personal problems and full recovery.”

Howe was trying to make a comeback with the Twins after being suspended for the 1984 season by then baseball commissioner Bowie Kuhn.

Howe suffered a relapse during the weekend. In a statement released during Monday night’s game against Texas, the Twins said Howe “volunteered that he had a temporary recurrence of his past problem.”

He was examined Tuesday by Dr. George Mann, director of the team’s employee assistance program. The results of the examination were not disclosed.

Howe is the second professional athlete suspended for one season because of drugs to take refuge in Minnesota and then leave sports. Running back Chuck Muncie, suspended for all but one game in the 1984 season at San Diego, retired from pro football last week in his comeback bid with the Minnesota Vikings.

Howe disappeared Friday, skipping the Twins’ weekend series against Cleveland. He told team officials Sunday he was in the Detroit area to visit his wife’s grandfather, who suffered a stroke. Family members said Howe never showed up.

Howard Fox, president of the Twins, said Howe attributed the delay in contacting his family and the Twins to his “profound disappointment in himself and in his concern for his future.”

Howe has been tested for possible cocaine use once a week since joining the Twins in August. When asked if Howe admitted to using cocaine over the weekend, Fox nodded in agreement.

Howe had been missing since appearing Thursday night on the ABC television show “Nightline” in Chicago to discuss drug use in professional athletics.

He joined the Twins Aug. 9 after five seasons with the Dodgers, where he was treated for chemical dependency.

In 13 games with the Twins, he compiled a 2-3 record with a 6.16 earned-run average and no saves in 19 innings. In 1980, Howe was voted National League Rookie of the Year with 17 saves in 59 appearances. He spent less than half a season in the minors after going 27-8 in three seasons at the University of Michigan.