Buck Martinez is officially returning for the 2026 season, and with it, a part of the Blue Jays’ history is being revived.
This isn’t just a familiar voice returning to commentary; it’s a symbol of continuity, resilience, and identity at a time when the team is seeking its next defining chapter.
Martinez’s presence has always meant more than just commentary—it’s a perspective shaped by decades of triumph, suffering, and an unwavering belief in the sport.
At 77 years old, Buck Martinez embodies the enduring spirit of the Toronto Blue Jays. His journey with the franchise spans nearly half a century, beginning as a catcher acquired in a trade in 1981.
He played a key role in those early expansion years, contributing to the team’s growth into a contender.
One unforgettable moment came in 1985 when, despite a broken leg and dislocated ankle from a brutal play at the plate, he stayed in the game long enough to complete a bizarre double play. That grit defined him then and echoes in his broadcasting career now.
After retiring as a player in 1986, Martinez briefly managed the Blue Jays in 2001 and 2002, navigating the challenges of a young roster. But it was behind the microphone where he truly found his calling.
Joining Sportsnet in 2010 as a play-by-play announcer before transitioning to color commentary, Martinez has become the soundtrack of summer for generations of fans. His warm, insightful calls—paired often with Dan Shulman—bring history, humor, and heartfelt analysis to every game.
Phrases like his enthusiastic home run exclamations or thoughtful breakdowns of strategy have woven themselves into the fabric of Blue Jays fandom.
The past few years have tested Martinez’s resilience like never before. Diagnosed with cancer in 2022, he stepped away mid-season for treatment but made a triumphant return later that year, earning admiration from across the baseball world.
In 2025, as the Blue Jays surged
to an unexpected World Series appearance against the Dodgers, Martinez again faced health challenges. A recurrence forced him to miss significant time from May through August, undergoing treatments that sidelined him during the regular season’s heat.
Yet, true to form, he battle
d back, rejoining the booth for the playoff push and calling games amid the team’s inspiring run. An estimated 45 percent of Canadians tuned in for key moments, with Martinez and Shulman delivering the drama to the largest audiences in franchise broadcast history.
