Legendary Blue Jays announcer Buck Martinez’s career ends in the World Series.
Martinez announced his retirement Friday in a statement, citing that he and wife Arlene came to the decision that he should step away from the booth through conversations after the season.
He went on to thank the Blue Jays and their fanbase, along with Sportsnet, Toronto’s broadcasting partner. He added that he will miss taking selfies, shaking hands and seeing the smiles of fans everyday.
“I had hoped to be part of the 50th year of the Toronto Blue Jays but it’s time to pass the torch. Enjoy 2026 and beyond, I will see you down the road,” Martinez wrote at the end of his statement.
Before getting into broadcasting, Martinez enjoyed a 17-year MLB playing career.
From 1969-86, he batted .225 with 58 homers and 321 RBIs. His final six seasons were spent in Toronto after a trade to the Canadian franchise, which Martinez referenced in his statement.
“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. “Little did I know that I still would be associated with the Blue Jays through the 2025 season.”
After retiring in 1986, Martinez immediately turned to the mic as the Blue Jays’ color analyst in 1987. He then spent a few years as the color commentator for the Baltimore Orioles’ broadcasts, even winning a Sports Emmy Award for helping broadcast Cal Ripken Jr.’s 2,131st straight game.
In 2010, he returned to the Blue Jays and remained with the team before taking a leave of absence in 2022 to undergo treatment for cancer.
Last year, he came under fire for comments he made about the Yankees on a Blue Jays broadcast.
Following New York’s 10-run loss to the Detroit Tigers, Martinez eviscerated the Bronx Bombers’ playstyle, ultimately foreshadowing their eventual loss to Toronto in the playoffs.
“The Yankees — they’re not a good team,” Martinez said. “I don’t care what their record is. They have a lot of wild pitches, they make a lot of mistakes in the field, they don’t run the bases very well. If they don’t hit home runs, they don’t have a chance to win.”
Martinez’s career with the Blue Jays ended in nearly the best way it could have.
Toronto made the World Series for the first time this century and fell one win — and two outs — away from downing the Dodgers in Game 7.
Now, Martinez will watch from the stands as Toronto tries to finish the job.
