Jean Yawkey, Red Sox's Owner, Dies

BOSTON - Jean R. Yawkey, majority owner of the Boston Red Sox died today from a stroke suffered Feb. 20. She was 83.

Yawkey, a onetime fashion model, died at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

A prominent philanthropist, she was the principal owner of the Red Sox since the death of her husband, Tom, in 1976. He purchased the American League club in 1933.

After the death of her husband from leukemia, she prevented sale of the Red Sox to other prospective interests by joining with two longtime friends, Haywood Sullivan, a onetime reserve catcher for the team, and Buddy LeRoux, a former trainer, in retaining control with a purchase arrangement.

In 1978, the three put up $1 million each to become a general partner in the franchise founded with formation of the league in 1901. Mrs. Yawkey also put up Fenway Park and other assets and became president of the club. To help complete the deal, worth an estimated $20 million at the time, 30 limited-partnership shares were sold for $500,000 each.

Mrs. Yawkey later bought limited partnerships from dissident owners and, in 1987, purchased LeRoux's general partnership.

Howe speaks out -- FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Steve Howe, the New York Yankees' relief pitcher who previously refused to discuss drug charges against him, spoke briefly about his drug-possession case for the first time yesterday. Strongly maintaining his innocence, Howe said he has not fallen back into cocaine use and suggested he was targeted unfairly.

"Everything they're doing is wrong," Howe said of the prosecution's case. "Somebody has it in for me."

Pending his trial, Howe has been working out with teammates at spring-training camp here. Howe, who has been suspended from baseball six times for substance abuse, maintains he now is drug-free.

"If I had a problem, my addiction would have kicked in and you'd know it," Howe said. "I'm a binge user. Do you think I'm going to go off the wagon for one line?"

Quintana out until July -- WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - First baseman Carlos Quintana, whose left arm was broken in an auto accident in Venezuela, is expected to be out at least until the All-Star break in mid-July, the Boston Red Sox's physician said today.

Quintana underwent surgery Monday, a day after he was hurt as he was rushing to a Caracas hospital with two of his brothers who had been shot.

Dr. Arthur Pappas, who spoke with doctors at the Caracas hospital, said Quintana also broke a bone in his right foot.

Quintana, who batted .295 last season, was expected to start at first base this spring.

Bedrosian retires -- MINNEAPOLIS - Reliever Steve Bedrosian, a National League Cy Young Award winner who played with the Minnesota Twins last season, says he is retiring.

Bedrosian, 34, went 5-3 with six saves and a 4.42 earned-run average last year with the Twins, who released him over the winter.

"It was a tough decision but it was a family decision and we just felt it was time to do this," Bedrosian said yesterday at his Duluth, Ga., home.

Finley out for opener -- MESA, Ariz. - Chuck Finley won't repeat as the California Angels' opening-game starter this year, but Manager Buck Rodgers said that, if all goes well, the left-hander should start in the first week of the season.

"Right now, I think its 60-40 he can pitch the fourth or fifth game of the season," Rodgers said. "It's not like he hasn't picked up a baseball."

Finley has been throwing while recovering from off-season surgery to repair nerve and bone damage to his left big toe.

Notes

-- The Toronto Blue Jays added another player, agreeing to a minor-league contract with free-agent shortstop Alfredo Griffin. He would get $500,000 if he makes the team and the chance to earn another $400,000 in performance bonuses.

-- First baseman Cecil Fielder was expected to miss the Detroit Tigers first full-squad workout today to be with his wife and newborn daughter in Arlington, Texas.