Buck Martinez returns to the Blue Jays broadcast booth with high expectations for himself and the team.
The famed broadcaster, who stepped aside in May聽to undergo treatment for lung cancer,聽was looking forward to reuniting with the Sportsnet crew alongside play-by-play announcer Dan Shulman on Friday night as the Jays opened a three-game weekend series in Los Angeles against the World Series champion Dodgers.
鈥淚 feel great and obviously I鈥檓 very excited to get back in the booth,鈥 Martinez told the Star Friday morning.
鈥淭oday is a big day. The Blue Jays are playing against a team with two future Hall of Fame pitchers (Clayton Kershaw and Shohei Ohtani), it鈥檚 a great atmosphere and the Jays are playing great. The Dodgers are one of the most storied teams in baseball. I鈥檓 thankful and excited about it.鈥
Back where he belongs 馃 and Buck Martinez chat about Buck's return to the broadcast booth and the plan for him calling games the rest of the season
鈥 Sportsnet (@Sportsnet)
It was the second time the 76-year-old had to step away from his duties for cancer treatment. Back in 2022, he spent nearly a year off duty.
This time around, Martinez was originally scheduled to return in June, but the homecoming was delayed when he needed extra time away. He admitted there was a point during this round of treatment where he 鈥渇eared the worst.鈥
鈥淭here was a lot of time I thought, well, maybe this is end, maybe this is the last time I did the broadcast,鈥 an upbeat Martinez said. 鈥淔ortunately I have been lucky. I have great doctors and a wonderful wife who supports me, and everything turned out OK.鈥
Martinez said Jays fans have been 鈥渇antastic to me鈥 since he started playing for the team in 1981 as a catcher, part of a 17-year MLB playing career. Hearing from fans during this health scare and receiving messages of support is yet another reason why he鈥檚 鈥渁nxious to get back and speak to them once again.鈥
Blue Jays players don鈥檛 get much time off while they鈥檙e home 鈥 just eight full days in this 162-game season.
Blue Jays players don鈥檛 get much time off while they鈥檙e home 鈥 just eight full days in this 162-game season.
It doesn鈥檛 hurt that聽his return comes at a time when the Jays are among the hottest teams in baseball. They were 27-28 when Martinez departed about three months ago, but had catapulted to an American League-best 68-48聽heading into Friday鈥檚 game.
鈥淚 think they are established and have got everything they need to go to the World Series again,鈥 said Martinez. He attributes it to the team鈥檚 overall makeup 鈥 a mix of veterans, stars and unheralded players having breakout seasons 鈥 and a front office willing to make moves. 鈥淚 think they can definitely play and hold their own against anybody.鈥
To join the conversation set a first and last name in your user profile.
Sign in or register for free to join the Conversation