August 29, 2004 – Tom Cheek honoured on Blue Jays’ Level of Excellence

August 29, 2024

By Kevin Glew

Cooperstowners in Canada

Twenty years ago today, Tom Cheek had his name added to the Toronto Blue Jays’ Level of Excellence in an emotional pre-game ceremony at SkyDome.

The number 4306 was included alongside his name to commemorate the number of consecutive games (from April 7, 1977 to June 2, 2004) he called for the Blue Jays during his 27-plus seasons of broadcasting for them.

The honour was a surprise to Cheek, who was battling brain cancer. He had been told there would be an on-field presentation, but he was not told he was being added to the Level of Excellence.

During the ceremony, Blue Jays’ team president Paul Godfrey read a congratulatory letter from Baltimore Orioles legendary shortstop Cal Ripken Jr., who played in 2,682 consecutive games.

“When I think of ironmen, I think of Lou Gehrig and Cal Ripken,” said Godfrey. “When I think of ironmen and the Toronto Blue Jays, I think of Tom Cheek . . . We thank you for everything you have done.”

Cheek had his ironman streak broken on June 3 that year when he attended his father’s funeral. Shortly thereafter, Cheek was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He underwent surgery on his 65th birthday and was receiving chemotherapy.

“I’ve been fighting a situation now for over a month, almost two months now,” Cheek told the SkyDome crowd of 44,072 before the Blue Jays took on the New York Yankees. “We’re doing the best we can to stay ahead of it. A brain tumor. We’re dealing with it.”

Cheek choked up when he thanked his family, friends and fans for all of the well-wishes he had received. He told them the outpouring of support had moved him deeply.

“I say from the bottom of my heart, thank you and God bless you. To everybody . . . .to everybody,” Cheek said through tears.

With the honour, the legendary broadcaster became the seventh name on the Blue Jays’ Level of Excellence, joining George Bell (1996), Dave Stieb (1996), Joe Carter (1999), Cito Gaston (1999), Tony Fernandez (2001) and Pat Gillick (2002).

Over the next 13 months, Cheek continued to valiantly battle cancer, savoring every moment with his family and his grandkids before he passed away on October 9, 2005 at the age of 66.