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Longtime Blue Jays broadcaster Buck Martinez announced his retirement today in a press release published on Toronto’s Rogers Sports & Media Site.
Martinez had a 17-year big league career spanning 1969 to 1986, during which he spent six seasons with the Blue Jays as a catcher from 1981 to 1986. Martinez then joined the Blue Jays broadcast team in 1987, where he provided color commentary and play-by-play. Martinez, even at one point, was the Blue Jays Manager from 2001-2002.
Martinez Had An Outstanding Broadcasting Career
With over 57 years in professional baseball, with 39 of those years being a broadcaster, Martinez, in total, called over 4,000 Blue Jays games throughout his career, most recently being Game 7 of the 2025 World Series in Toronto versus the Dodgers, which ended in complete heartbreak for the Toronto Blue Jays organization and its fanbase.
Martinez was widely recognized and admired as a broadcaster and intelligent baseball mind, not just with the Blue Jays and their fanbase, but across the Major League Baseball landscape.
Sportsnet President Greg Sanoe applauded Martinez’s career, stating, “Buck Martinez is a legend in baseball. His voice is synonymous with summer, and his passion for the sport and dedication to his craft is unrivaled”, says Sanoe.
Martinez, in his own statement, thanked the Toronto Blue Jays organization, its fans, and their broadcasting network, Sportsnet, for the years of support, but stated, “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”, says Martinez.
Martinez, age 77, had fond words when reflecting on his last season as an MLB broadcaster for the Blue Jays in 2025, in which he stated, “What a glorious season it was. It was a joy and honor to be involved in every game through Game 7 of the World Series. Only one other outcome could have topped the fantastic year”, stated Martinez.
It’s been quite the career and journey for Martinez, who’s had to persevere in this game to bring the expertise and passion to the broadcast booth. Martinez had a health scare back in 2022, in which he was diagnosed with Cancer and had taken a leave of absence from April to July of 2022 to undergo treatment.
Mutual Love Between The Blue Jays and Buck Martinez
Martinez never wavered, though. He persevered, and after doctors initially said to him that he’d miss the whole 2022 season, Martinez returned to the Blue Jays broadcast booth just a little over two months following treatment.
For many Blue Jays fans growing up, Martinez was an iconic, legendary voice they’ll remember forever. Martinez truly loved the game of baseball, the Toronto Blue Jays organization, and the entire nation of Canada, and the whole country of Canada truly loved him back.
Watching and listening to Blue Jays games this season will feel incredibly unusual without Martinez in the booth. Still, one thing is for sure: Martinez gave Blue Jays fans, players, and the organization a lifetime of memories they will always cherish.
And for Martinez, the years of hard work and perseverance have certainly paid off, and all the best to him in retirement.
Matt Cunningham Matt Cunningham is an Endicott College Graduate with a Bachelor’s in Sport Management. He is an avid follower of Major League Baseball, a Heavy Sports Contributor for the Yankees and all 30 MLB teams, and a Member of the MLB Fan Council. More about Matt Cunningham
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