Longtime Jays broadcaster at peace with retirement decision
Before a recent Blue Jays game, Jerry Howarth strolled onto the turf at Rogers Centre, walked down the side of the diamond and held a long glance out at the field.
The venue still feels like home for the longtime broadcaster, who retired last February after 36 years with the team.
“For years, every now and then, once or twice a season, I would purposely go down by myself somewhere in the ballpark and hope nobody found me,” Howarth said. “It was just to reflect upon my blessings, the ballpark I was in, the career that I’ve had, the opportunity to call games.
“Then by quiet reflection, I could think about where my career had taken me up until that particular point because sometimes we forget in the quickness of the moment to do that. Enjoy the moment.”
Now 72, Howarth is still a regular at the ballpark. He tries to make it down at least once a series, more for the social aspect than anything.
Howarth works the area during batting practice like the King of Kensington. Smiling and jovial, he catches up with players, coaches and broadcasters from both teams along with fans and stadium staffers.
Easy to spot in his trademark golf shirt, khakis and running shoes, Howarth knows almost everyone by name. The difference this season is the thick spiral notebook is no longer by his side and he’s not in game preparation mode.
Howarth announced in February that he would not return to the broadcast booth this season. He made the decision due to health issues that affected his voice in recent years.
“No regrets at all about my decision or missing it,” Howarth said. “I have just really enjoyed what I’ve done. Baseball is still part of my life but now I don’t have that routine and discipline and I’m OK with that.”
In 2016, a small tumour was discovered when Howarth underwent a magnetic resonance imaging scan after learning he had elevated prostate-specific antigen test numbers. The tumour and his prostate gland were removed and doctors declared Howarth cancerfree after the procedure.
He returned to the booth last season but had to miss 21 games after a virus led to laryngitis. Nasal congestion issues continued and Howarth’s sleep patterns fluctuated after surgery.
He would aim for his usual eight hours of sleep but found himself getting up four or five times a night. It led to a tired voice and he would often become fatigued in the evening.
“I told young broadcasters who would send me their work, rest is just as important as any homework you can do,” Howarth said. “If you can apply that rest to your voice, you’re just sharper in what you do. That began to break down for me a little bit. It helped lend itself to my retirement.”
Howarth, a husband, father and grandfather, now has more time to spend with family and said he “couldn’t be happier.” He has also rediscovered his love for duplicate bridge and usually plays two or three times a week.
“I like the competitiveness and the preparation,” he said. “It’s like a broadcast. The irony is when you broadcast, all you do is talk. But in bridge, you don’t talk at all.”