Broadcaster Howarth retires after 36 seasons

Radio Call: Smoak's clutch homer DUNEDIN, Fla. -- Canadian Baseball Hall of Famer and longtime play-by-play broadcaster Jerry Howarth has decided to call it a career after 36 seasons in the Blue Jays' radio booth.

Howarth announced his retirement on Tuesday morning, citing health issues that have affected his voice in recent years. The decision is effective immediately, and Howarth will not be a part of Toronto's 2018 radio broadcasts.

The 71-year-old Howarth joined the Blue Jays' broadcast team on a part-time basis in 1981, and he then moved into a full-time role alongside Tom Cheek the following year. The two would remain together for the next 23 years, and along the way, they called…