June 17, 2024

By Trevor Fitzpatrick

Canadian Baseball Network

Buck Martinez and Toronto Blue Jays baseball are synonymous with one another.

A tough day at work never feels so bad when the television is flipped on and Martinez is providing his expert analysis.

Likewise, every watch party wouldn’t feel right without his well thought out lines.

The longtime familiar face and voice of the Blue Jays was presented with the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame’s Jack Graney Award on Saturday. The award is presented annually to a member of the media who has made significant contributions to baseball in Canada.

Now, it turns out that all of this was unbelievably close to not happening. It’s all thanks to his wife Arlene that it did.

Flashback to 1987. Martinez had finished his sixth season with the Blue Jays as a catcher but was nearing the end of his career – that is, in everyone’s mind but his own.

“I walked into the office and met with Pat [Gillick], who was always emotionally tied to his players, he let me know that he wasn’t going to bring me back next year,” recalled Martinez, “then Paul Beeston chimed in as only he could and asked, ‘Do you want to do TV?’”

Martinez politely declined. Even after his wonderful six years in Toronto and 17 years total in the bigs, he felt like he still had more to give to the game.

“I got home and told Arlene about the meeting and how I turned down the TV job. She said, ‘Call him back. You can’t play anymore.’ Great decision.”

It was a great decision indeed. He has now worked across numerous companies including TSN, ESPN, and Sportsnet for a combined 41 years.

Some of the largest moments he’s been on the microphone for included Cal Ripken’s record-breaking 2,131st consecutive game (for which he won an ESPY), All-Star games, World Baseball Classics (WBCs), and World Series.

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with great people that made sure I never went on the air less than 100 percent prepared. I’ve been broadcasting for so long that I once was breaking Dan Shulman in, now I’m breaking in his son Ben,” said Martinez.

Not only did he get to work with numerous legends, but he also had the privilege of competing against some of them.

A part of each and every one of the WBCs that have been held, his first was on the field as the manager of team USA.

“Ernie [Whitt], thank you for the loss,” Martinez chuckled on the podium as he thought back to the USA’s 8-6 defeat at the hands of Canada in pool play in 2006.

More than anything else though, Buck Martinez made sure each and every fan at the ceremony knew how much he cherished them.

In 2022, the nation received devastating news as their beloved broadcaster was diagnosed with a type of head and neck cancer. As we all know, he went on to make a full recovery and a return to the booth.

“Fortunately for me, I saw the best doctors in the world. I had the great support of my wife and family. And of course, wonderful messages from all across Canada screaming of encouragement and support,” said Martinez, “I thank you all for that because we kicked its a**. I’m honoured and humbled to work for you all. Thank you very much.”

Past Jack Graney Award Winners:

2022 – Richard Milo – Canadian Press

2021 – John Lott – National Post & The Athletic

2020 – Dan Shulman – Rogers Sportsnet & ESPN

2019 – Ken Fidlin – Toronto Sun

2018 – Jeff Blair – Sportsnet 590 The FAN

2017 – Alison Gordon – Toronto Star

2016 – Larry Millson – Globe and Mail

2015 – Serge Touchette – Montreal Expos

2014 – Richard Griffin – Toronto Star

2013 – Rodger Brulotte – Montreal Expos, Toronto Blue Jays

2012 – Jerry Howarth – Sportsnet 590 The FAN

2011 – W.P. Kinsella “Shoeless Joe” novel adapted to film “Field of Dreams”

2010 – Bob Elliott – Toronto Sun & Canadian Baseball Network

2009 – Ian MacDonald – Montreal Gazette

2005 – Len Bramson – TBS Sports

2004 – Jacques Doucet – Montreal Expos

2003 – Allan Simpson – Baseball America

2002 – Ernie Harwell – Detroit Tigers

2001 – Tom Cheek – Sportsnet 590 The FAN

1996 – Dave Van Horne – Montreal Expos

1991 – Joe Chrysdale & Hal Kelly – CKEY

1990 – Austin Dink Carroll – Montreal Gazette

1988 – Milt Dunnell – Toronto Star

1987 – Neil MacCarl – Toronto Star