Legendary Toronto Blue Jays broadcaster Buck Martinez announced his retirement on Friday, ending a career that spanned more than four decades with the organization. The 77-year-old, who played, managed and broadcast for the team, called his final game during the 2025 World Series. Martinez expressed gratitude to fans and colleagues for their support throughout his journey.
Buck Martinez, a 77-year-old icon from Redding, California, has retired from his role as a Toronto Blue Jays broadcaster after 38 years in the booth. His association with the Blue Jays began in May 1981 when he was traded from the Milwaukee Brewers, initially thinking it marked the end of his career. Instead, he played six seasons as a catcher for Toronto, retiring in 1986 after 17 MLB seasons that included stints with the Kansas City Royals and Brewers.
Martinez transitioned to broadcasting in 1987, serving as a color commentator and play-by-play announcer. He covered Blue Jays games from 1987 to 2002 and 2010 to 2025, with a seven-year interruption from 2003 to 2009 when he broadcast Baltimore Orioles games. In between, he managed the Blue Jays from 2001 to mid-2002, posting an 80-82 record in 2001 before being replaced. He also led Team USA in the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006.
His broadcasting highlights include calling more than 4,000 Blue Jays games, five World Series, four World Baseball Classics, and earning two Sports Emmy Awards—one for covering Cal Ripken's 2,131st consecutive game in 1995 and another as Best Sports Analyst during his Orioles tenure. In 2022, Martinez took a brief leave for cancer treatment but returned to the booth after just over two months, calling it the most emotional day of his career.
Martinez's final broadcast was Game 7 of the 2025 World Series, where the Blue Jays lost 5-4 to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 11 innings—a game that became Canada's most-watched English-language broadcast outside the 2010 Winter Olympics. "After the World Series, my wife Arlene and I had plenty of time to think about the past and look forward to our future," Martinez said in a statement. "After many heartfelt conversations, we both decided it was time for me to step out of the booth and enjoy the years ahead."
Colleagues praised his impact. Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro called him "one of the most prominent faces in franchise history," noting his passion connected generations of fans. Broadcast partner Dan Shulman, who worked with him since 1995, said, "No one worked harder, no one cared more." Sportsnet president Greg Sansone added, "His voice is synonymous with summer."
Martinez, who met his wife Arlene over 50 years ago in Puerto Rico, hoped to be part of the Blue Jays' 50th season in 2026 but chose to pass the torch. He leaves a legacy honored by the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame.
