Buck Martinez

Early life and professional beginnings

Buck Martinez was born on November 7, 1948, and attended Elk Grove High School before pursuing college baseball at Sacramento City College, Sacramento State University, and Southwest Missouri State University. His professional journey began when he was signed as an amateur free agent by the Philadelphia Phillies. His rights were soon acquired by the Houston Astros in the 1968 Rule 5 draft, but he never played for the organization. On December 16, 1968, the Astros traded Martinez to the Kansas City Royals alongside Mike Sinnerud and Tommy Smith in exchange for Johnny Jones, setting the stage for his major league career. Martinez made his MLB debut on June 18, 1969, for the Royals against the Oakland Athletics, entering as a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning. He played 72 games in his rookie season, batting .229 with four home runs and 23 runs batted in.

Major League playing career

Martinez spent the first nine seasons of his career with the Kansas City Royals, serving primarily as a backup catcher and never appearing in more than 95 games in a single season. He was mentioned in Jim Bouton's famous 1970 book Ball Four, where opposing manager Joe Schultz, lacking a scouting report, simply advised his pitchers to "zitz" the rookie. Despite offensive struggles, Martinez contributed to the Royals' 1976 American League Championship Series run, hitting .333 with four RBI over five games. His time in Kansas City ended on December 8, 1977, when he was involved in a complex series of trades during the Winter Meetings, ultimately landing with the Milwaukee Brewers. During his tenure with the Brewers, Martinez made a memorable lone pitching appearance in an 18-8 loss to Kansas City on August 29, 1979, where he also recorded an RBI single at the plate.

The most significant chapter of his playing career began on May 10, 1981, when he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for Gil Kubski. In Toronto, Martinez found a more consistent role, twice hitting a career-high 10 home runs in the 1982 and 1983 seasons. He was regarded as a solid defensive catcher and formed a dependable battery with ace pitcher Dave Stieb. His career, however, was dramatically altered by a severe injury on July 9, 1985, in a home plate collision with Seattle Mariners' Phil Bradley at the Kingdome. Martinez broke his leg and dislocated his ankle but, in a legendary display of toughness, still managed to complete a 9-2-7-2 double play by tagging out Gorman Thomas. He was released by the Blue Jays on November 12, 1986, ending his 17-season playing career.

Broadcasting career

Upon his release as a player, Blue Jays executive Paul Beeston immediately offered Martinez a position on the team's television broadcast team. Initially declining in hopes of continuing his playing career, Martinez was convinced by his wife to accept, launching a broadcasting tenure that would span nearly four decades. He began as a colour analyst for Blue Jays games in 1987 on TSN, first paired with Fergie Olver and later with Jim Hughson starting in 1990. The Hughson-Martinez duo also worked together on ESPN telecasts and provided commentary for the EA Sports Triple Play Baseball video game series. After Hughson's departure in 1994, Martinez worked with Dan Shulman until stepping away to manage the Blue Jays in 2001. During his time with ESPN, Martinez was part of the broadcast crew that won a Sports Emmy Award for coverage of Cal Ripken's 2,131st consecutive game.

From 2003 to 2009, Martinez served as the colour commentator for Baltimore Orioles television broadcasts on the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network, working alongside Jim Hunter and Gary Thorne. Concurrently, from 2005 to 2009, he was a co-host of XM Radio's Baseball This Morning show and contributed commentary for TBS's Sunday and postseason games. Martinez returned to the Blue Jays broadcast booth in 2010, this time as the primary play-by-play announcer for Sportsnet, replacing Jamie Campbell. His main broadcast partner was former Blue Jay Pat Tabler. With Dan Shulman's part-time return to the booth in 2016, Martinez began splitting duties between play-by-play and colour analyst roles. He signed a five-year contract extension with Sportsnet in September 2014. From 2016 to 2020, he served as the colour analyst for the MLB International broadcast of the World Series.

Key Broadcasting Milestones

• 1987: Begins broadcasting career as colour analyst for Toronto Blue Jays on TSN.
• 1990: Forms broadcast partnership with Jim Hughson on TSN and ESPN.
• 2003 to 2009: Serves as colour commentator for Baltimore Orioles on MASN.
• 2005 to 2009: Co-hosts XM Radio's Baseball This Morning on MLB Home Plate.
• 2010: Returns to Blue Jays as play-by-play announcer for Sportsnet.
• 2014: Signs a five-year contract extension with Sportsnet.
• 2016 to 2020: Colour analyst for MLB International World Series broadcast.
• 2023: Awarded the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame's Jack Graney Award.
• February 6, 2026: Announces retirement from broadcasting.

Martinez's broadcasting career was interrupted twice for health reasons. In April 2022, he took a leave of absence while undergoing treatment for head and neck cancer, returning that July. In May 2025, he stepped away again for treatment of lung cancer, returning to the booth in August of that year. His significant contributions to baseball media in Canada were honoured in 2023 when he received the Jack Graney Award from the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame. He formally announced his retirement from broadcasting on February 6, 2026.

Managerial career and Team USA

Following the 2000 season, the Toronto Blue Jays hired Martinez as their manager, replacing Jim Fregosi. His energetic attitude was seen as a good fit for the team's young roster, and the Jays outperformed expectations through the first two months of the 2001 season. The success proved fleeting, however, as the team struggled through the remainder of the year and finished with an 80-82 record. The 2002 season began poorly, and Martinez was fired 53 games into the campaign with a record of 20-33, despite the team being on a three-game winning streak at the time. Martinez returned to a managerial role in 2006 when he was selected to lead Team USA in the inaugural World Baseball Classic. He guided a roster filled with superstar talent, including Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, and Roger Clemens, to the second round of the tournament. An interesting note from his WBC tenure was his uniform number. While he wore number 13 throughout his MLB playing and managing career, he wore number 31 for the WBC because Rodriguez had already been assigned number 13.

Personal life and public service

Martinez is married to his wife, Arlene, and they have one son, Casey, who was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 47th round of the 2000 MLB draft. The family resides in New Port Richey, Florida. Martinez is a published author, having written three books: From Worst To First: The Toronto Blue Jays in 1985 (1985), The Last Out: The Toronto Blue Jays In 1986 (1986), and Change Up: How to Make the Great Game of Baseball Even Better (2016). From 2020 to 2026, he served as president of the Baseball Assistance Team (B.A.T.), a charitable organization that aids members of the baseball family in need, before being succeeded by Eduardo Perez. His heritage includes Spanish ancestry through his paternal grandparents, who emigrated to the United States, and he is an enrolled member of the Karuk Tribe of northern California through his mother, Shirley, who was born in Happy Camp. His health challenges became public in April 2022 when he was diagnosed with head and neck cancer, completing treatment in June of that year. In May 2025, he underwent treatment for lung cancer, successfully returning to his broadcasting duties later that summer. His public service and personal background were recognized with his 2012 induction into the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame.

Honours and legacy

Buck Martinez's legacy in baseball, particularly in Canada, is defined by his contributions as a player, manager, and broadcaster. His enduring connection with the Toronto Blue Jays was permanently cemented on August 29, 2026, when he was inducted into the team's Hall of Excellence. This honour recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the organization. In 2023, his work in media was recognized nationally with the Jack Graney Award from the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, awarded to a member of the media who has made significant contributions to baseball in Canada. His earlier induction into the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame in 2012 acknowledged his cultural background and impact on the sport. His playing career, while not statistically dominant, is remembered for moments of remarkable grit, most notably the 1985 play where he completed a double play with a broken leg. As a broadcaster, his voice became synonymous with Blue Jays baseball for over three decades, guiding fans through the team's highs and lows with knowledgeable and passionate commentary. His managerial stint, though brief, represented a bridge between eras for the franchise. Through his leadership with the Baseball Assistance Team and his public perseverance through health battles, Martinez earned respect beyond the baseball diamond, leaving a legacy as a dedicated and resilient figure in the sport.

Questions about Buck Martinez

Why is Buck Martinez famous in Canada?

Buck Martinez is famous in Canada primarily for his long association with the Toronto Blue Jays as a player, manager, and broadcaster. He played for the Blue Jays from 1981 to 1986 and is remembered for his defensive work and a famous play where he completed a double play with a broken leg. After his playing days, he became the voice of the Blue Jays for Sportsnet for many years, calling games from 2010 until his retirement in 2026. His contributions were formally recognized with his induction into the Blue Jays Hall of Excellence in 2026 and by winning the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame's Jack Graney Award in 2023.

What was Buck Martinez's famous injury play?

On July 9, 1985, while catching for the Toronto Blue Jays against the Seattle Mariners, Buck Martinez was involved in a violent home plate collision with Phil Bradley. The collision broke Martinez's leg and severely dislocated his ankle. Despite the injury, he retrieved the ball and attempted to throw out advancing runner Gorman Thomas at third base. The throw went into left field, and when Thomas tried to score, left fielder George Bell threw the ball back to a sprawled Martinez at home plate. Lying on the ground with a broken leg, Martinez caught the throw and tagged out Thomas, completing a rare 9-2-7-2 double play, which remains one of the most memorable displays of toughness in baseball history.

What teams did Buck Martinez play for in MLB?

Over his 17-season Major League Baseball career, Buck Martinez played for three teams. He began his career with the Kansas City Royals, playing for them from his debut in 1969 through the 1977 season. The final and most notable chapter of his playing career was with the Toronto Blue Jays, who acquired him in a trade on May 10, 1981. He played for the Blue Jays until he was released following the 1986 season.

Did Buck Martinez manage in the Major Leagues?

Yes, Buck Martinez managed the Toronto Blue Jays for parts of two seasons. He was hired as manager before the 2001 season and led the team to an 80-82 record that year. He was fired 53 games into the 2002 season after the team started with a 20-33 record. He also managed Team USA in the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006, leading a star-studded roster to the second round of the tournament.

What awards has Buck Martinez won?

Buck Martinez has received several awards recognizing his contributions to baseball. As a broadcaster, he was part of an ESPN crew that won a Sports Emmy Award for its coverage of Cal Ripken's 2,131st consecutive game. In 2023, he was awarded the Jack Graney Award by the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame for his significant media contributions to baseball in Canada. He was inducted into the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame in 2012. His most recent honour was induction into the Toronto Blue Jays Hall of Excellence on August 29, 2026.

When did Buck Martinez retire from broadcasting?

Buck Martinez announced his retirement from broadcasting on February 6, 2026. His broadcasting career began in 1987 as a colour analyst for Toronto Blue Jays games after his playing career ended. He worked for various networks including TSN, ESPN, TBS, and Sportsnet over several decades. His final season in 2025 was interrupted by a leave of absence for lung cancer treatment from May to August, after which he returned to the booth. This announcement concluded a long and distinguished media career that included winning a Sports Emmy Award and receiving the Jack Graney Award in 2023.

Sources and further reading

• Buck Martinez (Wikipedia)
• Buck Martinez Announces Retirement (rogerssportsandmedia.com)
• Buck Martinez Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie ... (baseball-reference.com)
• Buck Martinez on a baseball life well-lived (mlbplayers.com)
• BAT | News | Buck Martinez director profile (mlb.com)

Checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-20.