This is certainly not news that the Major League Baseball world wanted to hear. One of the best-known managers in the modern era, portrayed in the Hollywood blockbuster “Moneyball,” is dealing with COVID-19.
According to an NBC News affiliate in Houston, former Houston Astros, Oakland Athletics and New York Mets manager Art Howe is in a local hospital’s ICU unit with the virus.
The report notes that Howe, 73, began feeling symptoms of the virus back on May 3. After isolating himself, the symptoms worsened this week and he was admitted to the hospital.
The good news here is that Howe says he’s starting to feel better and has not had a fever over the past 24 hours.
A 12-year veteran as a player, Howe’s managerial career started with the Houston Astros in 1989. He managed the team until 1993 before taking over as the A’s manager in 1996. Howe helped Oakland out of cellar-dwelling status, leading the team to playoff appearances from 2000-02 and winning 100-plus games in consecutive seasons.
Oakland’s 2002 season was portrayed in the blockbuster hit “Moneyball” starring Brad Pitt. It centered around the team’s analytical approach and 20-game winning streak.
Howe managed the Mets in 2003 and 2004 before calling it quits.
We obviously wish him all of the best.