Blue Jays add former player, manager and broadcaster Buck Martinez to new Hall of Excellence

The Toronto Blue Jays have added former player, manager, and broadcaster Buck Martinez to their new Hall of Excellence before their game against the Seattle Mariners. Martinez, 77, announced his retirement from broadcasting in February after calling over 4,000 games for the team since 1987. A catcher for the Blue Jays from 1981 to 1986, he also played for Kansas City and Milwaukee during his 17-year career.

Martinez began his broadcasting career with Telemedia Radio Network in 1982 and later worked for TSN, ESPN, XM Radio, TBS, MLB International, and Sportsnet. He managed the Blue Jays in 2001 and part of 2002, leading the team to a 100-115 record, and managed the United States at the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006. Martinez was diagnosed with cancer in 2022 and took two leaves of absence for treatment, returning to call games during Toronto's World Series run in 2025.

He is the 12th inductee into the Blue Jays Hall of Excellence, joining former players José Bautista, Paul Beeston, George Bell, Joe Carter, Carlos Delgado, Cito Gaston, Pat Gillick, and Dave Stieb, as well as broadcaster Tom Cheek.

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