Shushkewich: Buck Martinez should be on Blue Jays' Level of Excellence

Toronto Blue Jays legend Buck Martinez stands in front of a photo of Jack Graney at the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2024. Photo: Callum Hughson, Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame

July 21, 2025

By Tyson Shushkewich

Canadian Baseball Network

“Swing and a drive,” a phrase that is synonymous with baseball in the city of Toronto.

Those four words have been made famous by Blue Jays broadcaster Buck Martinez, a longtime stalwart with the club.

Martinez has worn a lot of hats during his time with the organization: player, manager, and television play-by-play and colour analyst. Not many can say they have been with an organization for as long as Martinez has been tied to the Blue Jays, and that even includes a seven-season stretch with the Baltimore Orioles from 2003 to 2009.

With so many memories tied to the longtime broadcaster, one has to look towards the Level of Excellence and think that Buck Martinez would sit nicely in the right field corner.

Jose Bautista was the latest to earn the honour back in August 2023, and Martinez would be the first name on the honour wall to have contributed to the organization as a player, manager, and television personality.

You will likely hear Martinez before you see him, with his deep and distinctive voice flooding the halls in a happy mood. Standing at 5-foot-8, he commands the room with his demeanour and ability to talk with you about any baseball subject on the fly. Whether it’s a story from his playing days or a memory from his time in the booth watching various Jays legends take the field, Martinez always gives the time of day for those willing to lend an ear.

Playing for over 17 years, Martinez finished his career with the Blue Jays. He was traded from the Milwaukee Brewers to the Jays on May 10, 1981, with Gil Kubski heading the opposite way. A defensive-minded catcher, Martinez was a mainstay at home for right-hander Dave Stieb, arguably the best pitcher in franchise history. His time with Toronto saw him collect 63 doubles, 35 home runs, and a .675 OPS through 454 games in six seasons from 1981 through 1986.

Jays fans will likely remember the home plate collision on July 9, 1985. Seattle Mariners outfielder Phil Bradley barreled into Martinez on a play at the plate, with the backstop holding onto the ball and collecting the out. Martinez didn’t know it at the time, but his leg was broken and he had dislocated his ankle, but he continued playing by trying to throw out Gorman Thomas from the seat of his pants, who was advancing to third base. The throw sailed into left field from Martinez, who was doubled over in pain at home plate, and with Thomas attempting to score, the throw came in from George Bell, and Martinez was able to catch the ball while almost lying down to tag out the runner, collecting the double play. It’s a memory that stands up there with the likes of the Bat Flip home run and the ‘touch em all Joe’ walk-off World Series winner.

The Jays released Martinez following the 1986 season, and executive Paul Beeston offered him a job in the television broadcast booth shortly after. He initially declined the offer in an attempt to continue his playing career; however, his wife, Arlene, convinced him it was time to hang up the cleats.

This started a broadcasting career that spanned from 1987 through 1999 with Toronto under the TSN banner, with the former backstop working alongside the likes of Fergie Olver, Jim Hughson and Dan Shulman, his current play-by-play broadcast partner at Sportsnet. He also worked for ESPN, covering various events.

For the 2000 season, Martinez was approached again by the Jays for a positional change, this time taking over as the club's manager, with Jim Fregosi’s contract not being renewed. The Blue Jays amassed an 80-82 record in his first year at the helm and struggled to a 22-33 record the following campaign, which led to his firing. He later managed Team USA during the 2006 World Baseball Classic, but that was his last time on the field in a coaching/manager position.

Following a stretch with the Baltimore Orioles on their television broadcasts from 2003 to 2009, Martinez returned to the Blue Jays' broadcast booth in 2010, replacing Jamie Campbell as the play-by-play announcer, with Campbell heading to pre-game television hosting duties. He worked with Pat Tabler out of the gate before Shulman returned to the Blue Jays' booth full-time in 2020.

What makes Martinez so special to the Blue Jays organization is not just his accomplishments on the field or his personality on the TV screens, it’s the little things behind the scenes.

Did you know the SkyDome has a retractable roof because of Martinez?

A conversation between executive Paul Godfrey and Martinez during the early renderings for construction of the future home of the Blue Jays saw the Jays' backstop petition for a roof that could open during the nice summer days. Godfrey took his advice and the Rogers Centre has a roof that can open and close depending on the weather.

At the 2024 Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame ceremony, Martinez was present to receive the 2023 Jack Graney Award, given to a member of the Canadian media for their contributions to Canadian baseball. Legends such as Tom Cheek, Richard Griffin, Alison Gordon, Jerry Howarth and Bob Elliott have taken home the honour. Martinez gave a tremendous speech. Earlier that morning, he spoke enthusiastically with the media and guests and then took some time to chat with some young players on the adjoining baseball diamonds before the official award ceremony that afternoon. That’s the kind of person Martinez is – he had time for everybody.

So, why does this all matter? Why should Buck Martinez be on the Level of Excellence?

Well, for one, he has rightfully earned his spot. To accomplish what he has done on the field, as a manager, and then over 28 years in television (1987-1999; 2010-present) for the Jays is no small feat. He has been associated with the Blue Jays for almost 40 years.

Second, Martinez is not getting any younger, and after some recent medical issues that have taken him out of the booth, as well as being diagnosed with cancer in 2022, it would be nice to have him honoured while he is still involved with the organization.

Ask Jays fans who should be next on the Level of Excellence, and Buck Martinez is one of the most popular names brought forward. His voice has been a staple for fans watching on television for many years.

He’s a prime candidate to be added to the elite group on the Level of Excellence and he should be honoured sooner rather than later.