Howe Gets Chance to Prove Self in Minors

Steve Howe is back in baseball, thanks to a minor league owner who feels sorry for him and is willing to give him one more chance.

Howe, whose potentially brilliant career was wrecked by repeated alcohol and drug abuse, has to prove he finally is free of his troubles and can still pitch, a decade after being named National League Rookie of the Year while with the Dodgers.

The left-hander, who was suspended six times and unofficially banned from baseball the last two years, signed Wednesday with the Salinas Spurs of the Class A California League and will join the team for opening day Friday, owner Joe Buzas said.

“If he keeps clean, he can stay here all year,” Buzas said. “He’ll also be free to sign with a major league club any time he’s able.”

Buzas said he felt sorry for the 32-year-old Howe, who has a wife and two children and isn’t eligible to return to the majors until 1991.

“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 didn’t disclose the amount of Howe’s contract but indicated it wasn’t large.

Howe, reached at his home in Whitefish, Mont., said he didn’t want to talk about his comeback, but commented:

“The Lord is faithful, and I got a new start. I’m leaving tomorrow.”

Buzas said Howe, a reliever for the Dodgers, wanted to be a reliever again, but probably will be asked to start after taking a week or so to get ready.

Howe was given permission last month by baseball Commissioner Fay Vincent to return to the majors as early as next season.

Howe was released by the Texas Rangers on Jan. 19, 1988, for using alcohol in violation of his after-care program.

He was first suspended for alleged cocaine abuse when he was with the Dodgers in 1983. The Dodgers released him in mid-1985, and he was signed a month later by Minnesota. But the Twins released him after a month for what the team said was a “temporary recurrence” of the cocaine problem.

He played briefly for San Jose in 1986, then signed the following year with Oklahoma City of the Class AAA American Assn. His contract was purchased by the Texas Rangers in August, 1987, and after that season he agreed to a two-year, $1.2-million contract with Texas. The Rangers released him on Jan. 19, 1988, for violating his after-care program by using alcohol.

Howe has a 29-31 career record with 60 saves in parts of seven major league seasons.