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Longtime voice of the Toronto Blue Jays Buck Martinez announced his retirement in a statement on Friday.
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Published Feb 06, 2026 • Last updated 5 hours ago • 4 minute read
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Toronto Blue Jays announcer Buck Martinez has announced his retirement. The Canadian PressArticle content
He is an icon of Canadian broadcasting and for decades a personality and distinctive voice endeared by Blue Jays fans far and wide and in every corner of the country that has become his baseball home.
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And now Buck Martinez is stepping away from the mic and into a well-deserved retirement with his beloved wife Arlene.
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In a statement released by Sportsnet, where he has served as the long-standing partner with broadcasting battery mate Dan Shulman, Martinez announced his plans.
“It has been a fantastic journey with Sportsnet, the Blue Jays and the wonderful Blue Jays fans from all over the world,” Martinez said. “Thank you for all embracing me and welcoming my family and me in a way that has made us feel like we are part of yours.”
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The 2025 season was an emotional one for Martinez from start to finish.
Buck came back after battling cancer
He left the both for an extended period to deal with cancer treatments and was weakened when he returned, but you’d barely know it from the broadcasts.
Fans welcomed him back with great emotion, showering the 77-year-old with the love he’d earned over his years in the booth.
He was with the team throughout the World Series run, telling the inside stories that only he could tell, in the near-miss, epic seven-game Fall Classic against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
After the series, Martinez returned to Houston to receive further treatment and ponder his future.
When we caught up with him at the Baseball Winter Meetings in Orlando in December, Martinez said that he was pondering his future, including a potential return in a reduced workload.
Why is Martinez retiring?
In the end, he made the decision to do what’s best for his health and his family.
“After the World Series, my wife Arlene and I had plenty of time to think about the past and look forward to our future,” Martinez said. “After many heartfelt conversations, we both decided it was time for me to step out of the booth and enjoy the years ahead.”
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The thrilling playoff run was a fitting exit point for Martinez, one that exhilarated him through Sportsnet’s superb coverage of the playoff push and beyond.
“What a glorious season it was,” Martinez said. “It was a joy and an honour to be involved in each and every game through Game 7 of the World Series. Only one other outcome could have topped the fantastic year.”
If there is a regret, Martinez said he had hoped to partake in this year’s 50th season anniversary celebrations. It would have been a fitting year of reminiscing for the California native who was Mr. Blue Jay for most of his life from is playing days as a catcher, to a brief stint as manager, to the superb announcing career.
“I had hoped to be part of the 50th year of the Toronto Blue Jays but it’s time to pass the torch,” Martinez said. “Enjoy 2026 and beyond, I will see you down the road.
“With the utmost gratitude and respect, Buck Martinez.”
What are his colleagues saying?
Naturally, Martinez will receive heaps of well-deserved praise from fans and colleagues. His long-time partner and friend, Shulman was eloquent in his tribute.
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“It goes without saying how much he has meant to Blue Jays fans for the last 40 years, and the same goes for everyone here at Sportsnet,” Shulman wrote on X.
“From the first day I worked with Buck back in 1995 right thru the World Series this past season, I couldn’t have asked for a better broadcast partner. He was incredibly welcoming when I started and was a phenomenal teammate to me and everyone on our crew every single day.
By now, many of you have heard that Buck has announced his retirement. It goes without saying how much he has meant to Blue Jays fans for the last 40 years, and the same goes for everyone here at Sportsnet.
— Dan Shulman (@DannySpxp) February 6, 2026
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“No one worked harder, no one cared more. He’s one of the most significant figures in Blue Jays history, and all of us at Sportsnet know how lucky we are to have had him as a colleague, but even more importantly, as a great friend.”
From players to management, the Jays certainly had appreciation for the warm personality and style of Martinez, who began his broadcasting career in 1982.
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“Buck has been one of the most prominent figures in the history of the Toronto Blue Jays, dedicating decades to the game he loves and to this organization as a player, manager, and broadcaster,” Jays president and CEO Mark Shapiro said in a statement.
“Buck has connected generations of fans with his passion, insight, and unparalleled storytelling. His legacy extends far beyond the microphone, and he will always hold a special place in the hearts of Canadian baseball fans.”
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