Howe About That: Reader Takes Issue With Downey

I hate to sling arrows at a writer I happen to be a fan of, (“Baseball Was Out of Options,” Mike Downey, Wednesday), but there’s another guy out here in Reader Land who is willing to defend Steve Howe.

I know nothing about Howe’s career beyond Downey’s redressing, but Downey is quick to point out that the man has been “busted” seven times on drug charges and is “bad” for baseball. Mike says that if he were caught once plagiarizing, he would have little chance of plying his trade. This is an incorrect comparison, because plagiarizing is a specific wrong toward a specific trade. Howe’s sins have nothing to do with intentional dishonesty; it sounds like he was just out to have a good time.

As for Howe’s indulgences being bad for baseball, I suppose Downey could make a great case for how Babe Ruth has damaged the reputation of baseball.

FREDERICK CLEVELAND

Hollywood