Howser Will Return to Royals

Dick Howser, who underwent surgery in July for a brain tumor, will return as manager of the Kansas City Royals in 1987, club General Manager John Schuerholz said today.

Schuerholz said that the Royals dismissed interim manager Mike Ferraro and batting coach Lee May, and that former Minnesota Twins Manager Billy Gardner will be the team’s third base coach in 1987. The dismissal of Ferraro, a close friend of Howser, came as a surprise to many Kansas City fans. It was Howser’s defense of Ferraro that led to his dismissal as manager of the New York Yankees after the 1980 season.