BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : Yankees Finally Give Up on Steve Howe

Pitcher Steve Howe, whose enormous potential went unrealized during a career pockmarked by seven drug-related suspensions, was released by the New York Yankees.

The left-handed reliever, 38, was cut before the Yankees’ game against the Cleveland Indians. He left Jacobs Field shortly after being informed of his release.

“I’m not naive enough to not know what the score is,” Howe said. “It’s been a great ride here. There came a point where something had to happen.”

His record this year--compiled mostly as a setup man for John Wetteland--was 0-1 with one save and a 6.35 ERA in 17 games.

“Well, unfortunately, Steve wasn’t getting the job done,” Yankee Manager Joe Torre said.

General Manager Bob Watson said Howe had come to him last week about a trade, but talks proved fruitless.

“Nobody is going to give you anything if they know they might be able to get a guy for nothing,” Watson said.

Howe said what prompted him to seek a trade was the severity of booing he received at Yankee Stadium this year.

“My kids are probably the two happiest kids in the world right now,” Howe said. “They won’t have to listen to people treating their daddy that way. I’m 38. I don’t have much market value. I knew something like this could happen.”

In 12 major league seasons, the 1980 rookie of the year with the Dodgers had 91 saves and a 3.03 career ERA.