Tom Cheek
Thomas F. Cheek (June 13, 1939 – October 9, 2005) was an American sports commentator who is best remembered as the play-by-play radio announcer for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB), from the team's establishment in 1977 until his retirement in 2004. During that time, he covered a 27-year streak of 4,306 consecutive games plus 41 post-season games—from the first Blue Jays game on April 7, 1977, until June 3, 2004. He was inducted to the Blue Jays Level of Excellence in 2004.
Tom Cheek | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 13, 1939 Pensacola, Florida, U.S. |
| Died | October 9, 2005 (aged 66) Oldsmar, Florida, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Cambridge School of Broadcasting |
| Occupation | Toronto Blue Jays radio sportscaster |
| Spouse | Shirley Cheek |
| Children | 3 |
| Awards | Ford C. Frick Award (2013) |
|
Baseball career | |
| Member of the Canadian | |
| Baseball Hall of Fame | |
| Induction | 2013 |
Cheek's best-known call was perhaps his description of Joe Carter's dramatic title-clinching home run in Game 6 of the 1993 World Series, when he said, "Touch 'em all, Joe, you'll never hit a bigger home run in your life!" He is also author of the book Road to Glory, chronicling the first 16 years of Blue Jays baseball.
Cheek received the 2013 Ford C. Frick Award after being nominated as a finalist for the award every year since 2005.