SPORTS : Howe Gets Another Chance--in the Minors and on Probation

Former Dodger pitcher Steve Howe, suspended from baseball four times from 1983 to 1988 for using drugs, was given another chance today by Commissioner Fay Vincent.

The decision to put Howe on probation permits him to play minor league baseball in 1990 but prohibits his return to the majors before 1991.

Vincent met with Howe Feb. 8 to consider the left-hander’s request for reinstatement.

“While I believe that a lifetime ban from baseball is fully warranted in this case, I resolve the doubts raised by the conflicting medical and psychological opinions in Howe’s favor and will offer him yet another chance to return to the game,” the commissioner said.

If he plays, Howe must participate in an after-care program approved by the commissioner’s office. The program would include drug testing, possibly as often as every other day through the rest of Howe’s baseball career. Any positive test would cause him to be banned from the game.