Martinez Concludes Cancer Treatments, Jays Welcome Back Martin for Canada Day

Widely-adored Toronto Blue Jays play-by-play and colour commentator Buck Martinez has concluded his cancer treatments, and as he would say, ‘has a bead on’ a return to the microphone as early as late-July.

Upon announcing his cancer diagnosis back in mid-April, the 73-year-old Martinez stepped away from the broadcast booth and turned his full attention to his treatment plan.

“I’ve been so honoured and privileged to have the support of Blue Jays fans, colleagues, staff and players since I arrived here in 1981, and that continued support through this next challenge means the world to me,” Martinez wrote in a statement on April 17. “I’m grateful for a tremendous medical team, who has given me great optimism that I will come through this with flying colours. I hope to rejoin my Sportsnet teammates for the stretch run later this season, but in the meantime I will be watching from the sidelines as I fight the good fight. I thank everyone in advance for respecting my and my family’s privacy during this time.”

On Wednesday, Buck’s broadcast partner Dan Shulman offered an exceptionally positive update on the team’s beloved play-caller. He noted that Martinez and his wife are on their way home to which Buck will begin rehab and recovery after finishing his treatment on Tuesday.

Shulman – the new voice of the Blue Jays on Sportsnet noted his broadcast partner’s treatment went “as well as it possible could have”.

“Buck Martinez is a dear member of our Blue Jays family and a fixture in the Canadian baseball community,” Blue Jays president and CEO Mark Shapiro said after Martinez’s announcement. “As he steps away from the broadcast booth to receive treatment, we have no doubt Buck will face the road ahead with courage, determination, and his signature positivity. On behalf of the entire Toronto Blue Jays organization and fans across the country, we want to extend our well wishes to Buck and his family. We look forward to seeing him back in the ballpark and on the broadcast again soon.”

Martinez is hopeful that he can return to booth at some point after the MLB’s All-Star Game, which is set for July 19.

Having played as a catcher for the Blue Jays from 1981-86, before immediately jumping into colour commentary post-playing career in 1987, Martinez actually returned to manage the team 2001, before joining the team’s television game day crew for Sportsnet in 2010. He has held that role ever since and hopes to be back in short order.

“I came here in 1981, thought I’d be here for a year or two and here we are, it’s 2022,” Martinez said on air in advance of his final game before treatment. “But my wife Arlene has been very supportive and we’re all positive and we feel very confident we’ll be back here for the pennant race.”

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Blue Jays Announce Canada Day Festivities

With one game left in the month of June, Toronto is currently sitting at 42-32 – somehow only good enough for third place in the American League East. Currently trailing the New York Yankees (56-20) and the Boston Red Sox (43-33), the Jays appear to be in the running for what is going to be an exceptionally tight hunt for October.

Although Sean Connery and Alec Baldwin won’t be around for ‘The Hunt’ this time around, one Canadian celebrity will certainly be donning the red this Friday afternoon.

On Wednesday, the Blue Jays announced that the team will be bringing back a familiar face in its Canada Day game at 2:00 PM central time against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays on Friday. Former Blue Jays catcher and recent retiree Russell Martin will be throwing out the opening pitch, while the first 15,000 fans in attendance will receive a replica red edition Canada Day jersey. Saturday’s game will feature the Vlad and Dad dual bobblehead, also given to the first 15,000 fans in attendance.

Martin, an Ontario product who grew up in nearby Quebec, announced his retirement from professional baseball last month. He played 14 years in the MLB and made it to the postseason 10 times.

The 39-year-old played four seasons in Toronto, hitting 66 home runs and 211 RBIs while helping his club to the playoffs in 2015 and 2016. His five-year, $82 million deal in 2014 was the largest ever at the time in Blue Jays history.

Friday’s Canada Day game will be the first at Rogers Centre since 2019. Toronto was unable to host games at home due to COVID over the last two years, making this season’s spectacle that much more exciting.