Buck Martinez has announced he is retiring from the broadcast booth:
It’s hard to believe I came to Toronto in a trade in May of 1981, thinking that would be the end of a very good career. Little did I know that I still would be associated with the Blue Jays through the 2025 season.
What a glorious season it was. It was a joy and an honour to be involved in each and every game through Game 7 of the World Series. Only one other outcome could have topped the fantastic year.
After the World Series, my wife Arlene and I had plenty of time to think about the past and look forward to our future. After many heartfelt conversations, we both decided it was time for me to step out of the booth and enjoy the years ahead.
It has been a fantastic journey with Sportsnet, the Blue Jays and the wonderful Blue Jays fans all over the world. Thank you all for embracing me and welcoming my family and me in a way that has made us feel like we are part of yours. I will dearly miss my working partners, the leadership at Rogers, and the Toronto Blue Jays baseball club, all of whom made it so much fun to be at the ballpark talking about the game I’ve loved for my whole life. As to the fans specifically, I will miss the “selfies,” the handshakes and the welcoming smiles. I will never forget any of those, nor the unwavering support and generosity, which has meant more than words can say. I look forward to continuing to root for the Blue Jays along with you, and you’ll always be in my heart. My sincere appreciation to all of you.
I had hoped to be part of the 50th year of the Toronto Blue Jays but it’s time to pass the torch. Enjoy 2026 and beyond, I will see you down the road.
With the utmost gratitude and respect,
Buck Martinez
I know it is a minor thing, but I love that he spelled honour the Canadian way.
Dan Schulman said:
“From the first day I worked with Buck way back in 1995 right through Game 7 of the World Series, I couldn’t have asked for a better broadcast partner. No one worked harder, no one cared more,” said Shulman. “He’s one of the most significant figures in Blue Jays history, and someone who has meant the world to everyone he worked with at Sportsnet, both as a colleague, and even more importantly, as a great friend.”
The press release tells us that Buck worked more the 4000 games in the broadcast booth in two stints from 1987 to 2025 and that he has won an Emmy for his work during Cal Ripkens 2,131st consecutive game and another for Best Sports Analyst when he was working for the Orioles.
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Buck joined the Jays in 1981, coming in a trade for Gil Kubski and played with the Jays until 1986, in a platoon with Ernie Whitt at catcher. We’ve all seen the play that effectively ended his career, when Phil Bradley of the Mariners ran him over at the plate. I’m glad that running over the catcher isn’t a play in baseball anymore.
Before the Jays, he played eight seasons with the Royals and three with the Brewers.
He went into broadcasting soon after that, with a year and a half as the Jays manager in between. He spent a few years working in the booth with the Orioles, but he returned to the Jays in 2010.
Congratulations on a great career, Buck. I hope you enjoy many years of retirement.
