Everybody misses Tom
By MIKE RUTSEY -- Toronto Sun
Tom Cheek often wears a big, mischievous grin and casts a long shadow.
With the Blue Jays beginning a six-game trip with a stop in San Francisco last night, the veteran play-by-play announcer is definitely being missed.
While his beloved team is on a West Coast swing, Cheek remains in a Toronto hospital recovering from surgery performed Sunday when doctors removed a tumour in his brain.
Howard Starkman, the Jays vice-president of special projects, who along with Cheek is a day-oner, visited Cheek yesterday and said he's doing well.
"He's bright, alert and has a sense of humour about it all," Starkman said.
Jerry Howarth, who has been alongside Cheek for the past 23 years, said his family is encouraged by the early prognosis.
"From all I've heard and talking to Jeff Cheek, his son, and Shirley, Tom's wife, they are very upbeat with what can happen," Howarth said. "The best news is that it's initially been diagnosed as a non-aggressive tumour.
"But right now it's an empty feeling not having Tom for these games. What you miss most is that he misses it.
"Tom is a Blue Jays fan and broadcaster all rolled into one and he loves the team, loves the game and loves what he does. That's what you miss for him along with wanting the best for his health."
Carlos Delgado has been with the Jays since the 1993 season. Now that Cheek is away, Delgado said it feels like something's missing.
"It's just funny not to see him around," Delgado said.
"You take him for granted after 28 years and he always has done a great job. So when you don't see big Tom in the clubhouse doing what he's doing, it doesn't seem the same.
"I've known Tom for a long time and wish him a speedy recovery."
Manager Carlos Tosca had similar sentiments.
"From what I've heard it sounds like everything is going along good right now and our prayers are with him and our thoughts are with him and hopefully he can get back to doing what he loves to do very soon," Tosca said.
"He always has an interesting perspective on things and he has seen so many things that he's not only a good guy to have around and does a great job but he's also a resource for a lot of people."
Listening to the Tom and Jerry broadcast was a fixture for Pat Hentgen's parents in the Detroit area.
"He's a great guy and when you talk about the Toronto Blue Jays one of the first names that comes to mind is Tom Cheek and Jerry and what a great team they've been" Hentgen said.
"I know my parents listen to the games all the time, especially on the radio and are big fans of Tom. We all wish him the best."
