Longtime World Series PA announcer Dick Jonckowski has returned to Shelby after missing last year because of cancer. (Photo by Clay Lomneth)

Back where he belongs

A familiar face was missing from The American Legion Baseball World Series press box in Shelby, N.C., last August. And, even more so, a familiar voice.

Dick Jonckowski, who had served as the public address announcer for the World Series since 1998, had to miss the 2014 tournament because he was battling non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He’s recovered and is back in his familiar place in Shelby: in front of the microphone.

“At (the National Commander’s Reception), I had so many people come over and say how happy they were to see me back,” Jonckowski said. “That’s really been a heartwarming experience so far. It’s made a difference.”

Sitting home last year during the Series was difficult for Jonckowski. “I like this so much,” he said of the World Series. “We always say it’s like old home week. You spend nine days or eight days with somebody you only see once a year. It was tough. I remember crying in the phone when I told (Legion Baseball Program Director) Steve Cloud I just didn’t think I could make it.”

Jonckowski said he initially didn’t handle the cancer diagnosis very well. But the reaction from fellow Legion Baseball participants turned that around after Fox Sports baseball announcer Joe Buck – who is married to Jonckowski’s niece – briefly mentioned Jonckowski’s condition at the end of the ninth inning in the 2014 Major League Baseball All-Star Game

“I wasn’t a real good patient when I found out I had cancer,” Jonckowski said. “I was kind of like, ‘Why should it happen to me?’ But because of all of these people that were well-wishers, I thought, ‘Shoot, if they care about me, I’d better care about myself.’ So many people, even from (Shelby), sent me cards and letters about, ‘We miss you.’ ‘We hope you get well.’ It changed my whole attitude.”

Jonckowski, who has served as the voice of University of Minnesota Golden Gophers basketball for 30 years and baseball for 28 years, also doubles as a public speaker. But Legion Baseball has a special place in his heart – especially when Minnesota teams have done well in the World Series.

“When Eden Prairie (Minn.) won it in 2011, I knew all those kids really well,” he said. “That’s my biggest thrill I’ve had, I think. Rochester (Minn.) won it in 2003, and we had a New Brighton team win in ’99 from Minnesota. Those have been big thrills for me.”