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Ex-Astros, Mets Manager Art Howe Released After Being Hospitalized with COVID-19

Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRTFeatured ColumnistMay 18, 2020

OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 18: Former manger Art Howe is introduced during a ceremony honoring the 2002 Oakland Athletics 20 game win streak before the game against the Cleveland Indians at O.co Coliseum on August 18, 2012 in Oakland, California. The Oakland Athletics defeated the Cleveland Indians 8-5. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)
Jason O. Watson/Getty Images

Former MLB player and manager, Art Howe, was released Sunday after being hospitalized Tuesday with COVID-19.

"Relief, back in my own bedroom, it's just sweet," he told reporters, per ESPN. "It was a long five days or so. I'm finally feeling a little bit better. Still not able to eat real good, taste buds are giving me a hard time. It's just nice to be back home and hopefully continue to progress."

Howe told KPRC 2 Houston he first felt symptoms May 3 and attempted to recover at home following a positive diagnosis for the coronavirus. But his symptoms grew worse and he was taken to the hospital in an ambulance Tuesday.

Howe said his symptoms included chills that made his whole body shake "like a leaf," the inability to taste food and "total fatigue," per KPRC 2.

"Never experienced anything like it before," he added.

He'll now undergo a week or two of at-home isolation.

Brian McTaggart @brianmctaggart

Art Howe isn’t sure how he contracted COVID-19 but warns everyone to take the pandemic seriously. “Think about your fellow man,” he said. “It’s important. “This is a crazy thing.”

Howe, 73, played in 11 Major League seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates (1974-75), Houston Astros (1976-82) and the St. Louis Cardinals (1984-85) as an infielder. He hit .260 for his career with 43 homers, 293 RBI and 268 runs.

He had a second run in baseball as a manager with the Astros (1989-93), Oakland Athletics (1996-02) and New York Mets (2003-04).