Death of Howe Prompts Several Reactions

It was Dodger broadcaster Vin Scully who first informed the team Friday afternoon on the bus ride over to Petco Park that former pitcher Steve Howe had been killed in a car accident earlier in the day.

Broadcasters Rick Monday and Fernando Valenzuela and coaches Manny Mota, Mariano Duncan and Rick Honeycutt were former teammates of Howe.

But broadcaster Charlie Steiner had his own memories from the years when he worked New York Yankee games during Howe’s tenure on that team.

“I was never quite sure whether he was arrogant or angry, but there was always an edge to him,” Steiner said. “If you were able to cut through that, you felt there was a decent guy inside crying to get out. But with some guys, you just can’t penetrate that. He always seemed to have his guard up. It was as if he had the Heisman Trophy pose on life, pushing people away.”

Said Mota: “He used to call me Papa. He knew how much I cared about him. I had him come down and pitch for me in winter ball in the Dominican Republic one year. We all tried to build his confidence and get him to know that we worried about him, cared about him. He was a good person.”

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Dodger reliever Eric Gagne, recovering from surgery on his right elbow, will begin light throwing today. In the best-case scenario, Manager Grady Little said, the Dodger right-hander will be back on a mound in three to five weeks. But Gagne will require a rehab assignment, Little said, before rejoining the big-league club.

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Outfielder Jayson Werth, who has yet to play this season as he recuperates from surgery on his left wrist, is not with the club.

Asked if he was closely monitoring Werth’s progress, Little said, “I’ve got my hands full with the 25 guys I’ve got here.”

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Friday was the start of online voting for the All-Star game, which will be held July 11 at Pittsburgh’s PNC Park. Fans can vote up to 25 times for the players of their choice at dodgers.com.

Voting in Dodger Stadium will begin Wednesday, the start of the next homestand.