Howe Gets 3-Year Probation for Trying to Buy Cocaine

Steve Howe will spend the next three years on probation for trying to buy a gram of cocaine from an undercover agent, a federal judge ruled Tuesday.

U.S. Magistrate Bart Erickson also fined the former major league pitcher the minimum $1,000, ordered him to perform 100 hours of community service and imposed a series of standard conditions for the probation period.

Howe pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charge on June 8, but Erickson delayed accepting the plea until Tuesday.

Howe, 34, is the first player permanently banned from baseball for drug use. He had been suspended six times for previous violations of the baseball policy, and Commissioner Fay Vincent barred him from professional baseball after he pleaded guilty to the criminal charge. Howe has appealed the permanent suspension.

During his probation, Howe must abstain from drinking; enter a drug abuse program; submit to drug tests upon request; submit to unannounced searches of his home, car and business; and pay all costs of his treatment and probation.

Pat Sherlock, Howe’s defense attorney, told reporters that Howe has arranged to perform his community service working with juvenile offenders in Kalispell, Mont., near his home.

Sherlock said Howe owns a construction company in Whitefish, Mont., where he and his family live during the off-season.

Howe, who was the National League rookie of the year as a Dodger in 1980, agreed to a $600,000 contract with the New York Yankees last Nov. 5. With bonuses, he could have earned as much as $1.7 million. Before his suspension, he had earned $207,692 of his salary and a $100,000 bonus.