(Toronto) Buck Martinez, a longtime commentator and analyst at televised Toronto Blue Jays games, has announced he will be stepping down after being diagnosed with cancer.
Posted at 4:07 p.m.
In a statement released by Sportsnet, broadcaster of the team’s games, Martinez said Sunday’s game between the Blue Jays and the Oakland Athletics will be his last for “a while” as it begins. treatments that will last several weeks.
“I’m grateful to have a wonderful medical team, which has given me a lot of optimism about the chances of getting through this situation successfully,” said Martinez.
The 73-year-old Martinez said he wants to join his colleagues at Sportsnet for Jays games later this season.
Martinez’s association with the Blue Jays dates back to 1981, when he began a six-year stint as one of the team’s receivers.
Martinez played for 17 years in the major leagues and also played for the Kansas City Royals and the Milwaukee Brewers.
He was hired as manager of the Blue Jays in 2001, but was fired midway through his second season. Under his command, the Toronto team had posted an overall record of 100 wins and 115 losses.
Martinez made his television debut in 1987 as an analyst at Blue Jays games on TSN.
He also worked at ESPN, TBS and Baltimore Orioles games before joining the Blue Jays game commentating group at Sportsnet in 2010.