A familiar voice is moving on from the local sports community.

Sportsnet’s Jerry Howarth, who has spent the last 36 years as the radio broadcaster for the Toronto Blue Jays, announced his retirement on Tuesday.

Howarth, who was diagnosed with Stage 1 prostate cancer in September 2016 but recovered from surgery in time to call the 2017 season, cited health issues affecting his voice in recent years as the reason behind his decision to step away from the game, effective immediately.

The 71-year-old missed 21 games last year after a virus in late April led to laryngitis. While there were some online rumblings late in the campaign that Howarth might not be back for the 2018 season, Howarth told the Canadian Press in an email last September that he had no plans to retire, adding he was “in fact looking forward to a healthy and strong 37th year.”

Nearly six months later, Howarth was forced to change his tune.

“I had every intention of continuing my career into the 2018 season but my health and stamina and continuing voice issues dictated otherwise,” he said in a release.

“Who knew that I would spend more than half my life in Toronto with my wife, Mary, and our two sons, Ben and Joe, doing what I love to do most, reaching out to friends and fans alike across our great country to talk baseball? I am blessed and I am grateful. I thank everyone who has made this journey of mine so rewarding in every way.”

The American-born announcer began his career with the Tacoma Twins of the Pacific Coast League in 1974. He joined the Blue Jays in 1981 and has called Toronto home ever since, becoming a Canadian citizen in the process.

Howarth calls an end to his 44-year career having broadcasted more than 7,500 baseball games. He called all six Blue Jays division titles as well as both of the organization’s World Series championships and has been honoured by both the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Sports Media Canada for his work.

“Jerry is an absolute legend in this industry,” said Sportsnet president Scott Moore in a release. “He’s been a dedicated and consummate professional covering the Blue Jays for more than three decades. His longevity is exceptional and it speaks to, not only his talent as a broadcaster, but also his incredible passion for baseball. He is beloved by Blue Jays fans across the country and has left an indelible impression on us all.”

Howarth became an advocate for early detection after receiving his cancer diagnosis almost a year and a half ago.

It wasn’t the first time the broadcaster took a stance, either.

Since receiving a letter from a listener in Northern Ontario after Toronto won its first World Series against the Atlanta Braves in 1992, Howarth has refused to use the Georgia-based team’s nickname. The listener was a member of a First Nation and politely told Howarth that he found team names like Braves deeply offensive.

Howarth then took a similar stance with Cleveland’s Major League Baseball franchise; he does not refer to the team as the Indians. His protest took off.

Jamie Campbell, host of Blue Jays Central on Sportsnet, followed his lead. Online, many praised Howarth, some including the hashtag #NotYourMascot, a movement dedicated to addressing the misappropriation of Indigenous identity, imagery and culture.

Howarth told the Star in 2016 he was surprised that after years of silence, a minutes-long radio clip on The Jeff Blair Show sparked a dialogue.

“All of a sudden, within the next 24 to 36 hours, it got what I was hoping it would get for years and years, even though it has never been brought up, and that is a discussion about this issue because of this.”

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

Howarth officially announced his retirement on that same show. After host Jeff Blair read an opening statement from Howarth, the longtime radio man’s voice cracked as he took the mic.

“When you read that, I get emotional, too,” Howarth said on the show. “It’s been a wonderful ride.”

Local members of the sports media community were saddened by Howarth’s decision to end his career, many of whom remember him as the soundtrack of their youth.

Dan Shulman, who has called games with Howarth during recent years, tweeted, “Privileged to listen to, work with, and call Jerry Howarth a friend for many years. Wishing him the best in retirement!!”

Howarth spent much of career in the booth alongside the late Tom Cheek, who famously broadcast 4,306 consecutive Blue Jays games.

In recent years, Howarth worked the Sportsnet 590 The Fan booth alongside Joe Siddall and Mike Wilner. Perhaps best known for his “There She Goes!” home-run call, Howarth has used a steady, warm, conversational style throughout his long career.

Starting at spring training each year, Howarth would keep notes in a thick spiral notebook that would be kept close at hand throughout the season. His preparation was meticulous and he would score each game using a shorthand all his own.

A man of routine, he would provide consistent refrains while on the air.

“Hello friends, this is Jerry Howarth and we’re live from the Rogers Centre,” was the usual pre-game opening for those listening on the flagship station and around the country on The Fan Radio Network.

The was no immediate word on who Howarth’s successor will be. A spokesperson for Sportsnet told the Star the company was currently considering all options but no decisions have been made as of yet.

— With files from the Canadian Press