Act of Courage

The Dick Howser story was the stuff of heroes--the sort of dramatic, courageous comeback that makes baseball like real life, but magnified to some higher degree. Shortly after his American League team won major-league baseball’s All-Star game last July, Howser was diagnosed as having a malignant brain tumor. He underwent two operations and a long recovery, but was determined to return in 1987 to his job as manager of the Kansas City Royals. Sure enough, there was Howser in his uniform for the first day of spring training Saturday.

But this comeback was not to be. After trying to keep up in 80-degree heat over the weekend, Howser decided that it was a mistake to return so soon. “Well, I found out yesterday I couldn’t do it,” he said Monday. “It’s just that I need more time to rest. I can’t do it like this.” So Howser resigned as manager and hopes to work for the Royals in some part-time capacity.

Howser, 50 years old, has an impressive record in his seven years as a manager--including a World Series championship in 1985. He never managed a team that finished below second place in its division.

Baseball fans all over the country admired Howser’s grit and wished him success. In failing to return to managing, however, Howser did not fail at life. He recognized the extent to which his illness limited his abilities to lead the team. He had the class and the grace to put the needs of the organization ahead of his own desires. His decision to step aside Monday was the real act of courage.