Baseball world pays tribute to Toronto Blue Jays legend Buck Martinez
Photo credit: https://www.sportsnet.ca/
The baseball world came together Friday to honor Toronto Blue Jays legend Buck Martinez following the announcement of his retirement from Sportsnet.
Major League Baseball, the World Baseball Classic, and colleagues from across the sport shared heartfelt tributes on social media, celebrating Martinez’s decades-long impact on the game as a player, manager, and broadcaster.
MLB was among the first to recognize Buck Martinez’s remarkable career with the Blue Jays, where he became a central figure both on and off the field.
Congratulations to Buck Martinez on a legendary career! Martinez announced his retirement today from Sportsnet, where he became the voice of Blue Jays baseball. On top of broadcasting for Toronto, Martinez also spent the final 6 years (1981-86) of his playing career with the Blue Jays and managed Toronto in 2001 and 2002.
Martinez’s influence extended well beyond the Toronto Blue Jays.
As the manager of Team USA during the 2006 World Baseball Classic, he left a lasting mark on the international stage as well. The organization also offered its congratulations.
Congratulations to 2006 Team USA #WorldBaseballClassic manager Buck Martinez on his retirement! 👏
Colleagues from all over baseball show an outpouring of support, good wishes, and thanks to Martinez
While accolades poured in from across the sport, it was the voices of Martinez’s colleagues that resonated most strongly.
Dan Shulman, who worked alongside Martinez during every Blue Jays postseason run in recent years, was the first colleague to share his heartfelt appreciation.
Soon after, tributes from broadcasters, reporters, and media members flooded in.
MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson, who worked closely with Martinez as a field reporter, summed up his thoughts on Buck’s legacy in one sentence.
If Buck Martinez is not added to the #BlueJays' Level of Excellence, I'll climb up there and paint it on myself.
Blue Jays Central host Jamie Campbell reflected on their long partnership at Sportsnet.
Buck Martinez has retired. It’s been an honour to be his teammate for sixteen years @Sportsnet
Field reporter Hazel Mae also expressed her gratitude for the years they worked together.
Thank you, Buck.
So incredibly grateful to have been your teammates ❤️
So incredibly grateful to have been your teammates ❤️
The Athletic’s Mitch Bannon noted the lasting absence Martinez will leave behind.
“Buck is a legend in every aspect of the game. The ballpark won’t be the same without him in 2026.”
Former Tim & Sid co-host Sid Seixeiro perhaps offered the highest praise, calling Martinez and Shulman one of the greatest broadcasting duos he has ever heard in any sport.
Buck Martinez and Dan Shulman, in my opinion, are one of the greatest broadcasting duos I’ve ever heard during a live game—any sport. All the best to Buck going forward. An absolute legend.
Martinez first began broadcasting as an active player in 1982 when he called the ALCS, World Series and all-star game for Telemedia.
He won a Sports Emmy Award for his work covering Cal Ripken's 2,131st consecutive game for ESPN in 1995, and another for Best Sports Analyst while covering the Baltimore Orioles from 2003-2009.
In all, he worked five World Series, four World Baseball Classics and multiple all-star and post-season games.
Also read on Blue Jays Central :
Beloved Blue Jays broadcaster Buck Martinez steps down from the booth
Beloved Blue Jays broadcaster Buck Martinez steps down from the booth