Toronto Blue Jays broadcaster Buck Martinez retires

Buck Martinez, whose voice has become synonymous with the Toronto Blue Jays, has announced his retirement ahead of the team’s 50th season.

The 77-year-old joined the Toronto Blue Jays in May of 1981 as a catcher. He says he had planned for Toronto to be where he ended his career.

Instead, Martinez stayed in Toronto for another four decades as a broadcaster.

In a statement, he says the decision to retire came ‘after many heartfelt conversations’ with his wife.

He says he had hoped to remain with the Jays in their 50th season but says it’s time to pass the torch.

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Buck Martinez retired for Major League Baseball in 1986 after a 17-year career with the Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers and Toronto Blue Jays.

Rogers Media says Martinez was announcing for more than 4,000 Blue Jays Games.

“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,” says Martinez’s Blue Jays call companion Dan 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.”

In 2023, Buck Martinez was honoured with the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame Jack Graney Award which recognizes a member of the media who has made significant contributions to Canadian baseball.

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