JAYS’ BUCK MARTINEZ DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER

MLB / Baseball

Written by Gus Cousins

Earlier this week, news broke that long-standing Toronto Blue Jays’ play-by-play man Buck Martinez will be leaving the broadcast booth to battle cancer.

Source (Background photo): CDN

In 1981, Martinez joined the Blue Jays as a platoon catcher until he retired following the 1986 season. Prior to landing in Canada, he played with both Kansas City and Milwaukee. He played seventeen big-league seasons altogether, and quickly established himself as an extremely well-regarded broadcaster, working with a variety of organizations as well as with TBS’ playoff crew while also cementing himself as Toronto’s main voice.

Support has risen all around the baseball world in support of Buck, including that of Blue Jays’ President and CEO Mark Shapiro saying “We have no doubt Buck will face the road ahead with courage, determination, and his signature positivity. We look forward to seeing him at the ballpark and on the broadcast again soon.”

Ex-Blue Jay Kevin Pillar also wished Martinez the best on Twitter, along with former Toronto pitcher Marcus Stroman as well.

Toronto Mayor John Tory expressed his support as well, tweeting out “Let's all rally behind Buck Martinez as he battles cancer! He's become much more than a former @BlueJays player, manager and broadcaster after all of these decades. Let's make sure he feels the love!!”

The 73-year-old Martinez hopes to return to the team later in the season for Toronto’s playoff push, urging fans to stick with the team; “Just stick with these boys, it's a great ball club. I'll miss being in the booth but I look forward to the comeback.”

Our thoughts are with Buck and his family during this time, and we wish him nothing but the absolute best.