Guest Eugene` Report post Posted August 30, 2004 Cheek added to Jays Level of Excellence Canadian Press 8/29/2004 TORONTO (CP) - Toronto Blue Jays fans have heard a range of emotions from Tom Cheek over the years, but Sunday the long-time broadcaster displayed a different side to his audience. Cheek became choked up during an on-field ceremony honouring his streak of calling 4,306 consecutive games, a touching outburst from a man known as the voice of the Blue Jays. ``You're going to make me cry,'' he told an appreciative crowd of 44,072 and the dignitaries gathered around him on the field. ``This is more than I'm going to be able to handle.'' The Blue Jays made Cheek the eighth member of their level of excellence, where the team honours its most cherished stars. Related Info Power outage delays start of game He joins George Bell, Tony Fernandez, Dave Stieb, Joe Carter, Cito Gaston, Pat Gillick and Jackie Robinson in the SkyDome rafters with the number 4,306 by his name. ``When I think of ironmen, I think of Lou Gehrig and Cal Ripken,'' said Jays president Paul Godfrey. ``When I think of ironmen and the Toronto Blue Jays, I think of Tom Cheek. ... ``We thank you for everything you have done.'' The 20-minute ceremony came before Sunday's 6-4 win over the New York Yankees and after a power outage caused an hour-long delay. Cheek spoke after the presentations. ``I'm going to make this short,'' he said. ``The Yankees are ready to hit the road, and the sooner the better on that one by the way.'' The Yankees took three of four games in the series from the Jays. Cheek's streak began on opening day 1977 and spanned 27 years, covering every franchise milestone of significance. His call of Carter's 1993 World Series home run - ``Touch 'em all Joe, you'll never hit a bigger home run'' - remains his calling card. The streak was broken in June because of his father's death. Shortly after his father's funeral, Cheek began feeling ill and went to a Toronto hospital, where tests revealed a brain tumour. He underwent surgery, which removed most of the tumour on June 13, his 65th birthday. He was back behind the microphone about six weeks later and is now calling Blue Jay home games with longtime partner Jerry Howarth. Cheek continues to receive treatment and again became choked up when he thanked fans for all the letters of support he has received. ``As you know I've been fighting the situation for two months now, the brain tumour,'' said Cheek. ``We're doing our best, we're dealing with it. ``I could never imagine all the mail pieces and phone calls I've received. I could never say thank you enough. From the bottom of my heart, thank you and God bless everyone.'' Cheek also received a framed letter of congratulations from baseball commissioner Bud Selig and a portrait by artist Rob MacDougall. The painting depicts Cheek with Carter emerging from the 1993 World Series logo on side. Underneath are the words ``Touch 'em all Joe ...'' Credit: tsn.ca GODDAMN, You won't see this on ESPN. I think the man deserves a lot of credit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkktookmybabyaway 0 Report post Posted August 30, 2004 Wow. As I kid I used to LOVE the Blue Jays, and when they won their two titles, it made up for all those years where they choked in the playoffs and earned their title the Blow Jays. Too bad he wasn't an announcer for Boston or New York -- he'd get his own ESPN channel... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
starvenger 0 Report post Posted August 30, 2004 Wow. As I kid I used to LOVE the Blue Jays, and when they won their two titles, it made up for all those years where they choked in the playoffs and earned their title the Blow Jays. Too bad he wasn't an announcer for Boston or New York -- he'd get his own ESPN channel... True. Still, Cheek is a class act and it's good that the Jays have recognized him for being there all these years. So, when does Jerry Howarth get his name up there? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Staravenger Report post Posted August 30, 2004 I saw that yersterday when he gave the speech and thought it was very touching, and I hardly ever get choked up about anything. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
