Blue Jays Enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame

Tom Cheek- Inducted In 2013 Ford C. Frick Award By The National Baseball Hall of Fame

For nearly three decades, the dulcet tones of Tom Cheek warmly graced the living rooms of Blue Jays fans across the country. A native of Pensacola, Florida, Cheek was the Blue Jays’ radio and play-by-play announcer from the club’s inception in 1977 until his retirement in 2004 – calling an astounding 4,306 consecutive regular season games.

Fueled by a passion for baseball that seemed to radiate in his every word, Cheek and his broadcast partner, Jerry Howarth, provided the soundtrack to some of the most decorated moments in the organization’s history, most notably being the Blue Jays’ 1992 and 1993 World Series championships.  

After stepping away from the club in 2004 due to health reasons, Cheek was honored with the organization’s highest award for individual achievement when he was inducted into the Blue Jays Level of Excellence with the number “4306” beside his name.

Shortly before his death in 2005, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame established an award in Cheek’s honor, acknowledging the key role the broadcaster played in promoting Canadian sports over his lengthy career.

In 2013, Cheek was named the recipient of the prestigious Ford C. Frick Award by the National Baseball Hall of Fame, after having been named a finalist for nine consecutive years.

Cheek will perhaps be best remembered for his timeless call of Joe Carter’s game-winning home run during the 1993 World Series, a moment in time that will remain forever etched in the minds of Blue Jays fans.

“Touch ’em all, Joe, you’ll never hit a bigger home run in your life!”

Authored by Patrick Allen