2003 Jerry Howarth with Tom Cheek

JERRY HOWARTH with TOM CHEEK

Complimenting Tom Cheek’s work in the broadcast booth is his partner of 22-years, Jerry Howarth. His association with the Blue Jays came innocently enough. In 1980 Jerry was sports director and talk show host at KWMS in Salt Lake City when he got a call asking him if he’d like to fill in for Early Wynn on the Jays’ radio broadcasts of a weekend series in Detroit. Wynn had been invited to play in an old-timer’s game in Los Angeles.

Jerry Howarth

Jerry Howarth


Needless to say, it didn’t take Jerry long to answer. After all, baseball was a sport he loved most even though he was more than proficient at calling basketball and football. In a Wally Pipp-like saga, Jerry joined the Blue Jays broadcast team the next year and he’s been there ever since keeping listeners entertained with his melodic descriptions of the Blue Jays accomplishments and foibles of which there have been many.

Pick a highlight over the past 22-years and many would say the Blue Jays two world series championships would top their list. Jerry Howarth is no different, but being the consummate family man and without hesitation he said, “having my two sons, Ben and Joe (16 and 14 respectively at the time) with me in the winning clubhouse in ‘92 and ’93 was my biggest thrill.”

So, what’s the most gruelling part of the job, Jerry? Is it the long hours…the seemingly unending travel schedule? His answer: “ ….. there isn’t a gruelling part.”

Now there’s a man who loves his work.