
Blue Jays announcer Buck Martinez steps down from broadcasting due to cancer
Blue Jays announcer Buck Martinez steps down from broadcasting due to cancer
- Blue Jays
-
SportsWriters
Former MLB catcher and longtime Toronto Blue Jays broadcaster for Sportsnet Buck Martinez announced Sunday that he has retired from broadcasting indefinitely after being diagnosed with cancer.
Martinez updated fans with his health condition via Sportsnet, saying that he was thankful for the support from fellow staffers, colleagues, and fans.
He also revealed his hopes of rejoining Sportsnet sometime later this season. However, in the meantime, the former Blue Jay will have to be “watching from the sidelines.”
Prior to signing with Toronto, the 73-year-old debuted his MLB career with the Kansas City Royals and the Milwaukee Brewers. In total, the former right-hander had a career of over 17 seasons.
His last professional game in the league was in 1986 when he tried to make a return with Toronto, which he did. He decided to fully retire after hitting .181 in 81 games.
Martinez decided that he had yet to see everything about MLB and announced that he would return as a color analyst for Toronto games in 1987. He has joined the likes of ESPN, MASN, and TBS. In 2010, he joined the Blue Jays’ booth, shifting roles between play-by-play and color analyst.
In the 2001-2002 season, Martinez took up the managerial role in Toronto as a result of Jim Fregosi’s contract not being renewed. Five years later, he was selected as Team USA’s field manager for the 2006 inaugural World Baseball Classics.





