1. Early life and education
Steven Roy Howe was born in Pontiac, Michigan on March 10, 1958. He attended Clarkston High School in his home state before continuing his baseball career at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. During his time at the University of Michigan, he distinguished himself as a college baseball player, earning a two-time All-Big Ten selection. In 1979, Howe was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 16th round.
2. Baseball career
Steve Howe's professional baseball career spanned 12 seasons in Major League Baseball, with additional time spent in independent leagues.
2.1. Early career and Dodgers era
Howe made his major league debut in 1980 at the age of 22 with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He quickly made an impact, being named the National League Rookie of the Year that season. He was the second in a string of four consecutive Dodgers players to earn the Rookie of the Year award, followed by Fernando Valenzuela and Steve Sax. During his rookie season, Howe recorded 17 saves, setting a new rookie record for saves. In the subsequent strike-shortened season, he played a crucial role in the Dodgers' victory over the New York Yankees in the 1981 World Series, saving the clinching game.
By 1983, Howe's career began to be affected by substance abuse. He voluntarily checked himself into a substance abuse clinic. However, a relapse led to his suspension for the entire 1984 season.
2.2. Career interruptions and comebacks
After his initial period with the Dodgers, Howe briefly pitched for the Minnesota Twins in 1985 and the Texas Rangers in 1987. Following his time with the Twins, in 1987, Howe traveled to Japan to participate as a tryout player in the spring training camp of the Seibu Lions. However, his past history of cocaine use became an issue, and he was ultimately not accepted into the team.
He was out of the major leagues for four years before signing with the New York Yankees, where he once again pitched effectively. However, in 1992, Howe faced a severe setback when he became the second player in MLB history to be banned for life due to substance abuse violations, following Ferguson Jenkins, who was also later reinstated. Howe successfully appealed this lifetime ban, a testament to his resilience, and re-signed with the Yankees. In 1994, he had a final standout season, recording 15 saves and a 1.80 earned run average as the Yankees' closer. The following year, 1995, he was unable to replicate his previous performance and was relegated to a setup role. He was released by the Yankees in June 1996 after posting an 0-1 record with a 6.35 ERA. Howe's professional baseball career concluded in 1997 after a stint with the Sioux Falls Canaries of the independent Northern League.
2.3. Career statistics
Steve Howe's Major League Baseball career statistics are summarized in the table below. Over his career, he compiled a record of 47 wins, 41 losses, 91 saves, and a 3.03 ERA in 497 games.
| Year | Team | G | W | L | SV | Win% | BF | IP | H | HR | BB | HBP | SO | WP | BK | R | ER | ERA | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | LAD | 59 | 7 | 9 | 17 | .438 | 359 | 84.2 | 83 | 1 | 22 | 10 | 39 | 1 | 0 | 33 | 25 | 2.66 | 1.24 |
| 1981 | LAD | 41 | 5 | 3 | 8 | .625 | 227 | 54.0 | 51 | 2 | 18 | 7 | 32 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 15 | 2.50 | 1.28 |
| 1982 | LAD | 66 | 7 | 5 | 13 | .583 | 393 | 99.1 | 87 | 3 | 17 | 11 | 49 | 1 | 0 | 27 | 23 | 2.08 | 1.05 |
| 1983 | LAD | 46 | 4 | 7 | 18 | .364 | 274 | 68.2 | 55 | 2 | 12 | 7 | 52 | 3 | 0 | 15 | 11 | 1.44 | 0.98 |
| 1985 | LAD | 19 | 1 | 1 | 3 | .500 | 104 | 22.0 | 30 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 17 | 12 | 4.91 | 1.59 |
| 1985 | MIN | 13 | 2 | 3 | 0 | .400 | 94 | 19.0 | 28 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 13 | 6.16 | 1.84 |
| 1987 | TEX | 24 | 3 | 3 | 1 | .500 | 131 | 31.1 | 33 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 19 | 2 | 1 | 15 | 15 | 4.31 | 1.31 |
| 1991 | NYY | 37 | 3 | 1 | 3 | .750 | 189 | 48.1 | 39 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 34 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 9 | 1.68 | 0.95 |
| 1992 | NYY | 20 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 1.000 | 79 | 22.0 | 9 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 2.45 | 0.55 |
| 1993 | NYY | 51 | 3 | 5 | 4 | .375 | 215 | 50.2 | 58 | 7 | 10 | 4 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 28 | 4.97 | 1.34 |
| 1994 | NYY | 40 | 3 | 0 | 15 | 1.000 | 152 | 40.0 | 28 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 1.80 | 0.88 |
| 1995 | NYY | 56 | 6 | 3 | 2 | .667 | 230 | 49.0 | 66 | 7 | 17 | 3 | 28 | 1 | 0 | 29 | 27 | 4.96 | 1.69 |
| 1996 | NYY | 25 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .000 | 76 | 17.0 | 19 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 12 | 6.35 | 1.47 |
| Career (12 years) | 497 | 47 | 41 | 91 | .534 | 2523 | 606.0 | 586 | 32 | 139 | 54 | 328 | 17 | 2 | 239 | 204 | 3.03 | 1.20 | |
2.4. Awards and achievements
Howe earned several significant individual honors during his Major League Baseball career:
- Rookie of the Year (1980)
- All-Star (1982)
3. Substance abuse and controversies
Steve Howe's baseball career and personal life were profoundly shaped by his persistent struggles with alcohol and cocaine addiction. These battles led to a series of controversies and disciplinary actions by Major League Baseball that significantly impacted his professional trajectory.
3.1. Impact on career
Howe's substance dependencies directly affected his playing career, leading to repeated disruptions. He first sought treatment at a substance abuse clinic in 1983. However, a subsequent relapse resulted in his suspension for the entire 1984 season. Throughout his 17-year professional career, Howe was suspended a total of seven times by MLB for violations of its drug policy. These disciplinary actions frequently interrupted his playing time and contributed to his moving between multiple teams as he attempted to regain his form and stability. Despite these setbacks, Howe often returned to the mound, demonstrating flashes of his original talent, only to face further challenges.
3.2. Lifetime ban and appeals
In 1992, Steve Howe received a lifetime ban from Major League Baseball, becoming the second player to face such a severe penalty for substance abuse, following Ferguson Jenkins, who was also later reinstated. This ban was a direct consequence of his repeated violations of the league's drug policy. Howe, however, mounted a successful appeal against the ban. This legal process ultimately led to his reinstatement, allowing him to return to Major League Baseball and re-sign with the New York Yankees. His successful appeal and subsequent return highlighted the complexities of addiction within professional sports and the legal avenues available to players.
4. Post-baseball life
After his retirement from professional baseball in 1997, Steve Howe transitioned to a career outside of sports. He settled in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, where he became a self-employed framing contractor. His company operated under the name All Star Framing.
5. Autobiography
In 1989, in the midst of his professional baseball career, Steve Howe published his autobiography titled Between the Lines: One Athlete's Struggle to Escape the Nightmare of Addiction. Co-written with Jim Greenfield, a lawyer from the Philadelphia area, the book offered an candid account of Howe's chemical dependency. It also discussed his efforts toward recovery and his newfound commitment to evangelical Christianity, which he credited as a source of hope in his journey.
6. Death
On April 28, 2006, Steve Howe died in a single-vehicle accident in Coachella, California. His pickup truck rolled over, and he was killed at the scene. Reports indicated that he was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. A toxicology report conducted during his autopsy later confirmed the presence of methamphetamine in his system. He was 48 years old at the time of his death.
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7. Legacy and evaluation
Steve Howe's legacy in baseball is complex, marked by both his exceptional talent as a left-handed relief pitcher and his highly public struggles with substance abuse. As the National League Rookie of the Year and a key contributor to a World Series championship, his early career showcased immense potential. His ability to consistently return to effective pitching, even after multiple suspensions and a lifetime ban, underscored his remarkable physical talent and mental resilience on the field.
However, his recurring battles with alcohol and cocaine addiction ultimately overshadowed many of his athletic achievements. His case became a prominent example in professional sports of the severe consequences of substance abuse, prompting discussions and policy adjustments within MLB regarding drug testing and rehabilitation. Howe's autobiography provided a raw, personal account of his struggles, offering insights into the profound impact of addiction on an individual's life and career. His story serves as a cautionary tale, but also as a testament to the persistent human struggle against addiction, even as it profoundly shaped his public image and the trajectory of his life after baseball.