The baseball community is losing one of its most unique and fun voices on its broadcasts. Long-time Toronto Blue Jays broadcaster Buck Martinez, who broadcasted 30 seasons for the team over two stints, announced Friday that he is retiring from the booth.
“It has been a fantastic journey with Sportsnet, the Blue Jays and the wonderful Blue Jays fans all over the world,” Martinez said in a statement. “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 Has Been Synonymous With The Blue Jays For Over Four Decades
The 77-year-old played the final six years of his 17-year big-league career with the Blue Jays, and after retiring, moved straight into the broadcast booth as a radio color analyst. He moved to television in television, working with Fergie Olver, then Jim Hughson, and finally Dan Shulman. After a two-season stint as Blue Jays manager in 2001 and 2002, Martinez moved to the Orioles to broadcast their games in 2003. After seven seasons in Baltimore, he would return to the booth in Toronto, this time as the play-by-play broadcaster with Pat Tabler. He also would provide color analysis for his old partner Shulman when he returned to the team on a part-time basis in 2016.
“Buck has been one of the most prominent figures in the history of the Toronto Blue Jays, dedicating decades to the game he loves and to this organization as a player, manager, and broadcaster,” Blue Jays president and CEO Mark Shapiro said. “Buck has connected generations of fans with his passion, insight, and unparalleled storytelling. His legacy extends far beyond the microphone, and he will always hold a special place in the hearts of Canadian baseball fans.”
Martinez missed three months of the 2025 season in order to undergo treatment for lung cancer, but came back in August. He called the entire Blue Jays postseason for Rogers SportsNet alongside Shulman, culminating with an extra-inning loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 7 of the World Series.
“I had hoped to be part of the 50th year of the Toronto Blue Jays but it’s time to pass the torch,” Martinez said in his farewell. “Enjoy 2026 and beyond, I will see you down the road.”
Baseball Community Shows Its Appreciation for Martinez
Martinez is known not only as a favorite for Blue Jays fans, but his fellow broadcasters also enjoyed being around him.
“Great guy, terrific broadcaster, he will be missed all across Canada,” Hall of Fame pitcher and Martinez’s former colleague in Baltimore Jim Palmer said on social media. “Always the best dressed guy in the booth.”
Mixed emotions in hearing of Buck Martinez’s retirement from broadcasting. Great guy, terrific broadcaster , he will be missed all across Canada. Always the best dressed guy in the booth. Enjoy retirement, your many friends and baseball fans will miss you.
— Jim Palmer (@Jim22Palmer) February 6, 2026
“Buck Martinez is the ultimate baseball man; ex-player who was tough as nails, hard-working broadcaster and the best person I ever worked with at the national network level,” former Nationals play-by-play broadcaster Bob Carpenter said. “His generosity and team attitude are contagious, and crews loved him.”
Buck Martinez is the ultimate baseball man; ex-player who was tough as nails, hard-working broadcaster and the best person I ever worked with at the national network level. His generosity and team attitude are contagious, and crews loved him because … https://t.co/gRcOf9551Z
— Bob Carpenter (@scorebook_bob) February 6, 2026
Martinez’s long-time broadcast partner in the postseason Don Orsillo shared a photo of the two (alongside their partner, Hall of Fame closer Dennis Eckersley) to wish his friend the best in his retirement.
Congrats to my friend and former post season partner Buck Martinez on his retirement today. I appreciate you greatly. pic.twitter.com/clsRdGGgkT
— Don Orsillo (@DonOrsillo) February 6, 2026
“I grew up hearing Buck Martinez on ESPN, and was in awe when we first met,” Astros radio broadcaster Robert Ford said. “However, Buck put me at ease right away, and treated me like an equal from Day One. I’ve since learned that’s how he treats everyone.”
I grew up hearing Buck Martinez on ESPN, & was in awe when we first met. However, Buck put me at ease right away, & treated me like an equal from Day One. I’ve since learned that’s how he treats everyone. Here’s to a great retirement, Buck! You will be missed. https://t.co/Xb33BqPZ9x
— Robert Ford (@raford3) February 6, 2026
