Steve Howe Has Made a Career Out of Being a Headline Act

The sad saga of New York Yankee relief pitcher Steve Howe continued Monday with his suspension from baseball for cocaine possession. It’s a familiar story in L.A., where Howe’s problems with the Dodgers began nearly a decade ago.

A look at Times’ headlines from those troubled days tells it all.

Jan. 15, 1983--” Howe Undergoes Drug Cure.’ ‘

May 30, 1983--” Howe Has Relapse of Drug Problem.’ ‘

July 16, 1983--” Howe Reports Late for Game and Is Held Out.”

July 18, 1983--” Dodgers Say Howe Is Clean, Lift Ban .”

Sept. 25, 1983--” Lawyer Says Howe Needs to Get Away.”

Dec. 16, 1983--” Kuhn Suspends Howe for Entire ’84 Season.”

July 1, 1985--” Howe Is a No-Show; Dodgers in the Dark. “

July 2, 1985--” Howe Says He Needs Another Break.’ ‘

July 4, 1985--” Howe Is Released by Dodgers, Cites Pressures of L.A. “

Aug. 12, 1985--” Steve Howe Sign s With the Twins, Says They’ll Respect His Privacy. “

Sept. 15, 1985--” Twins Concerned as Steve Howe Is Missing From Team.’ ‘

Sept. 18, 1985--” Howe Is Released by The Twins After Cocaine-Related Absence.’ ‘

May 15, 1986--” Howe Fails Drug Test in Minors. “

And finally, a headline in which Howe says, “ I Screwed Up. “ That last one ran in October of 1986.

Trivia time: On this date in 1921, Babe Ruth hit a home run for the New York Yankees that made him baseball’s all-time leader, a position he occupied until Hank Aaron passed him 53 years later. How many homers did Ruth need to take over the No. 1 spot?

Partially naked guns: Concerned about English hooligans at the European soccer finals in Malmo, Sweden, local police have gone undercover. Without much cover.

Swedish policemen and policewomen, disguised as sunbathers, are hanging out this week at Malmo’s popular Ribban Beach, where a campsite has been prepared for up to 3,000 England fans.

It’s part of “Operation Sunshine,” a low-key approach to containing violence at the eight-nation tournament.

But along with the sun-tan lotion and blankets comes some heavy equipment. Parked near the sand are six unmarked vans packed with riot gear.

This dud’s for you: Swedish authorities have also approved controversial plans to sell weak beer that should prove a real dud for fans hoping to get inebriated enough to wreak havoc.

“On match days, it will be very, very weak beer, just half strength,” said Malmo’s deputy police chief, Gustaf Andersson. “You’d have to drink a lot of it to get drunk.”

Trivia answer: 120.

Baby boom: Coach Fred Sturm, asked why three members of the U.S. volleyball team would not make a trip to China and Russia this month, explained that Doug Partie’s wife was expecting and that Jeff Stork’s wife recently gave birth to the couple’s second child.

“And I’m trying to become a father,” interjected Steve Timmons, who is married to Jeannie Buss, daughter of the Laker and Forum owner. “You’ve got to give me a little time at home.”

Quotebook: French Open champion Jim Courier’s coach, Jose Higueras, on Courier’s reported six-year, $24-million clothing contract: “If I were getting that much money, I’d wear anything.”