Broadcaster Howarth honoured with Jack Graney Award

TORONTO -- Longtime radio broadcaster Jerry Howarth was presented with the 2012 Jack Graney Award prior to the Blue Jays' game on Sunday afternoon against the A's.

Howarth began working with the Blue Jays on a part-time basis in 1980, before eventually taking over full-time duties in 1982. He partnered with Hall of Fame broadcaster Tom Cheek for the next 23 seasons, and he was part of the broadcast crew during the 1992-93 World Series years.

Since then, his home run call, "And there she goes," has become synonymous with Blue Jays baseball, and he has called more than 5,000 games over the course of three decades.

"I am very honoured to be named the Jack Graney Award winner for 2012, joining a long list of notables including the gentleman who brought me to Toronto, Len Bramson, and the other gentleman I worked with in the radio booth for years in Tom Cheek. That makes this award particularly special for me," Howarth said in a statement provided by the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.

The Jack Graney Award is presented to a member of the media who has made significant contributions to baseball in Canada through his or her life's work.