From: yankees@jhuvms.hcf.jhu.edu (Kenneth M Gelfand)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
Subject: Re: He's baaaaaaack...
Date: 16 Nov 92 18:47:00 GMT
Article-I.D.: jhuvms.16NOV199213470350
Distribution: na
Organization: The Johns Hopkins University - HCF
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41

In article <15NOV199213565362@pierre.mit.edu>, kettler@pierre.mit.edu (KETTLER, THOMAS R.) writes...
>In article <13NOV199215541235@jhuvms.hcf.jhu.edu>, yankees@jhuvms.hcf.jhu.edu 
>(Kenneth M Gelfa writes...
>> 
>> 
>>	For those of you who haven't heard, Steve Howe was today reinstated
>>by arbitrator George Nicoleau.  Nicoleau said that Howe has a hyperactive
>>condition brought on by years of untreated drug use and deserves one more
>>chance.  This follows a pattern of baseball players (Ferguson Jenkins, 
>>Gil Reyes) having their sentences overturned by arbitration.  It seems
>>what baseball needs now is a definitive policy like the NBA has.
>> 
>>	Howe is now a free agent and may sign with any teams he wants.
>> 
> 
>I have three things to say about this. First, it is Nicolau, not Nicoleau. Next
   Thanks for the correction.

>this is a big joke since although I feel that people should be given a second 
>chance, this jerk hasn't had just two chances but seven. Now he gets an eighth 
>chanced just because he can throw a baseball faster than 80 mph. What if it 
>happens again, will he be given another one? What does this say to youngsters 
>who are put in jail for selling the junk? Did anyone think of this? Finally, if 
>the jerk must be given another chance, then I have an idea. Why doesn't 
>baseball require that all of his salary go to drug prevention and treatment? 
>Here is the necessary d::-) since I know that won't happen.

         I agree with you wholeheartedly that Steve Howe did not deserve
another chance way back in 1991, but it was Fay Vincent's decision
to readmit him.  Then, last winter Howe was involved in a situation
where the facts still remain unclear.  However, a Montana judge felt there
was not enough evidence to prosecute Howe back in May, so why did Fay
Vincent take it upon himself to go after Howe then, instead of waiting
for the courts to rule?  Did he know something the judge didn't?  If
so, was he withholding evidence?  The timing of Vincent's decision was
just plain irresponsible, and there was no way a good lawyer in this
day and age was going to let him get away with it.  Baseball has
undoubtedly changed over the years...you think Judge Landis would
be able to ban 8 White Sox from baseball after they had been
cleared by a federal jury?  Look at how much info they had to get
on Pete Rose and George Steinbrenner before they could get rid
of them.  Your point about Howe being a poor role model is well-taken, but
again the burden falls on whether baseball players should be role models.
Should Dwight Gooden be banned because he used drugs once?  Should 
Darryl Strawberry be banned bacause he used to beat his wife? Should
Dennis Martinez be banned because of his onetime alcohol problem?
	The answer lies in American society and the fact that baseball
is more concerned with making money than with bringing up America's
youth.  It is up to the player himself when he decides how to carry
himself. The effect of drugs are already a documented fact, and if a
player chooses to use them, it's their mistake, and most of these players
could care less, unfortunately, about what they're doing to the young people
who adore them so much.  If anyone is interested in reading about the
effects of drugs on an athlete and his career, try "Out of Control"
by Thomas Henderson, it's a candid look at drugs and athletics.    

	What baseball now needs is a definitive drug policy so it can
begin to take that decision away from the players and force them to
realize that they are jeopardizing their career by using drugs or abusing
other substances.
> 
>					Sincerely yours,
> 
>					Thomas R. Kettler "Expos Fanatic"  

						Kenny G