The Welland Tribune

Voice of Blue Jays retires

- STEVE BUFFERY

Jerry Howarth won’t be taking flight as the Blue Jays broadcaste­r anymore.

The voice of the Jays for 36 memorable years, an emotional Howarth announced his retirement Tuesday morning on Toronto’s Sportsnet 590 The Fan.

Though he is now 71 and had a cancer scare a year and a half ago, Howarth’s announceme­nt neverthele­ss shocked and saddened many of his fans, some of whom flooded the Jeff Blair Show with calls of support and congratula­tions.

“I had every intention of continuing my career into the 2018 season but my health and stamina and continuing voice issues dictated otherwise,” Howarth said.

“Who knew that I would spend more than half my life in Toronto with my wife, Mary, and our two sons, Ben and Joe, doing what I love to do most, reaching out to friends and fans alike across our great country to talk baseball.

“I am blessed and I am grateful. I thank everyone who has made this journey of mine so rewarding in every way.”

Howarth underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumour inside his prostate gland in 2016 and returned to the broadcast booth last season, adding on Tuesday that he has completely recovered from the cancer.

Born in York, Pa., and raised in San Francisco, Howarth launched his career with the Tacoma Twins of the Pacific Coast League in 1974. He joined the Jays in 1981, later becoming a Canadian citizen.

He has broadcast upwards of 7,500 games, many with his longtime partner the late Tom Cheek and most recently with his radio partner Joe Siddall, calling every major milestone for the Blue Jays including six division titles and two World Series championsh­ips.

In 2012, Howarth was honoured by the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame with the Jack Graney Award for lifetime contributi­ons to baseball in Canada. He was also awarded the Sports Media Canada award for achievemen­t in broadcasti­ng both in 2003, with then- broadcast partner Cheek, and again individual­ly in 2016.

Cheek passed away in 2005. Howarth took calls for two hours on Blair’s show on Tuesday, including a call from Check’s wife Shirley. “Now you have time to spend time with your beautiful grandchild­ren,” she said.

Blue Jays manager John Gibbons called in from Dunedin, Fla., saying it is a sad day.

“We go back a long way and we became very, very good friends,” Gibbons said of Howarth. “Deeper than baseball ever was. It went beyond that. Went through some ups and downs together.”

“You’ve always been a big supporter of mine and I will never forget that,” Gibbons added, talking directly to Howarth. “The beauty of your baseball career Jerry ( is that) you always called it like it is. You never sugarcoate­d anything but you were always fair.”

“It’s been a pleasure pal. It really has,” Gibbons concluded.

Also joining Howarth on the Blair Show was former Jays closer Tom Henke.

“I’ll miss that ‘ Yes, sir!’ ” said Henke, doing his best Howarth imitation.

“That’s tough to take,” Henke said of Howarth’s retirement. “Jerry was not only a great announcer — it’s kind of like Jack Buck stepping down in St. Louis — but just one of my best friends in the game. He will be sorely missed. I know Blue Jays fans will miss him.”

“It’s been a wonderful ride,” Howarth said.

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