Longtime Toronto Blue Jays broadcaster Buck Martinez has announced his retirement on Friday, ending a legendary sports media career.
“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,” Martinez said in a statement. “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,” Martinez continued.
“I look forward to continuing to root for the Blue Jays along with you, and you’ll always be in my heart. I had hoped to be part of the 50th year of the Toronto Blue Jays, but it’s time to pass the torch.”
The 77 year old appeared in 1,086 MLB games between 1969-1986 split between the Blue Jays, Milwaukee Brewers, and Kansas City Royals. He would go on to manage Toronto from 2001-2002, posting a 100-115 record, and later serve as field manager for Team USA at the 2006 World Baseball Classic.
Prior to becoming “the voice of the Jays”, Martinez was part of the Orioles broadcast group on MASN. But in 2010, he returned north of the border where he would make some of the most memorable calls in franchise history.
“Buck Martinez is a legend in baseball,” Sportsnet president Greg Sansone said in the statement. “His voice is synonymous with summer, and his passion for the sport and dedication to his craft are unrivaled. It has been the highest honour for all of us who have had the pleasure to work with him.”
Toronto, who will be celebrating their 50th season throughout 2026, has yet to announce any formal plans to honour Martinez’s career, though sources indicate that preliminary discussions around a ceremony of some sort are already in the works.
Photo: Keith Allison. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.