Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro (far left) is joined by honourees George Bell, Dave Stieb, Joe Carter, Cito Gaston, Carlos Delgado, Jose Bautista, Paul Beeston and Pat Gillick at the team’s new Hall of Excellence at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Aug. 29, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jon Blacker
By The Canadian Press
Aug 29, 2026 | 10:46 AM
TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays opened their new Hall of Excellence on Saturday ahead of an afternoon ceremony for 2026 inductee Buck Martinez at Rogers Centre.
As part of their 50th anniversary season, the Blue Jays unveiled the section to honour the franchise’s greatest contributors. The 11 honourees from the former Level of Excellence were enshrined in the hall, which is on the concourse behind right field at the downtown stadium.
Martinez, a former Blue Jays manager and player, was scheduled to be inducted before the Blue Jays’ matinee against the Seattle Mariners. The 77-year-old also served as a longtime team broadcaster before retiring last winter.
Martinez will join José Bautista, Paul Beeston, George Bell, Joe Carter, Tom Cheek, Carlos Delgado, Tony Fernandez, Cito Gaston, Pat Gillick, Roy Halladay and Dave Stieb in the hall.