Steve Howe Arrested for Carrying Gun

Steve Howe, released by the New York Yankees on Saturday, was arrested Monday on charges of carrying a loaded gun at John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Howe was found to have a loaded .357 Magnum pistol in his luggage at the first-class check-in for a Delta flight to Whitefish, Mont., at 4 p.m., said Tom Middlemiss, a Port Authority spokesman.

Howe was suspended from baseball seven times for various drug-related problems.

A Port Authority police officer spotted the unlicensed pistol in Howe’s carry-on baggage, Middlemiss said.

“She opened up the bag and found a loaded .357 Magnum,” Middlemiss said.

Howe is being charged with criminal possession of a weapon and was to be arraigned Monday night or Tuesday in Queens Criminal Court, Middlemiss said.

“It’s very unfortunate,” Yankees general manager Bob Watson said after Monday night’s 3-0 loss in Minnesota. “It’s a shame.”

The 38-year-old left-handed reliever was cut before the Yankees’ game against the Cleveland Indians on Saturday. He was traveling with his wife, Cindy.

His record this year was 0-1 with one save and a 6.35 ERA in 17 games.

Howe’s final appearance for the Yankees covered one-third of an inning in the opening game of a doubleheader Friday at Cleveland. He allowed a run on two hits, both to left-handers.