Buck Martinez Retires: Health, Career, and What’s Next

Few voices are as woven into the fabric of a sports franchise as Buck Martinez’s is with the Toronto Blue Jays. For more than four decades, he brought fans every pitch, every home run, and every heartbreaking loss from the broadcast booth. Now, at 77, the legendary broadcaster has announced his retirement, citing his health and his desire to “pass the torch.” This article traces his journey from catcher to commentator, his battle with cancer, and what lies ahead for a man who helped define Blue Jays baseball.

Age: 77 (born November 7, 1948) ·
MLB Career: Catcher, 1969–1981 (Royals, Brewers, Blue Jays) ·
Broadcasting Career: Over 4,000 Blue Jays games ·
Retirement Announced: February 2026 ·
Health Diagnosis: Cancer (2022)

Ten facts that capture Buck Martinez’s five-decade baseball career:

What health issues does Buck Martinez have?

What type of cancer does Buck Martinez have?

• Martinez was diagnosed with cancer in 2022 and took a leave of absence from April 17 to July 26, 2022, while undergoing treatment (CBC Sports).
• The specific type has not been publicly detailed, but doctors discovered the same cancer had spread to his lung during a check-up in Houston in May 2025 (CityNews Toronto, the local news outlet).

How is Buck Martinez’s treatment progressing?

• He returned to the booth on July 26, 2022, after completing treatment, saying “It’s great to be back” (Sportsnet, the Canadian sports network).
• In May 2025, Martinez stepped away again for treatment of a recurrence, missing more than two months before returning on August 8, 2025 (CityNews Toronto).
• He planned to complete one final chemotherapy session in Houston after his August 2025 return, according to the same report.

The implication: Martinez’s health battles have been a quiet but steady force behind his decision to step back, shaping not just his broadcast schedule but ultimately his retirement timeline.

Why is Buck Martinez retiring?

When did Buck Martinez announce his retirement?

• Martinez announced his retirement on February 6, 2026, after more than four decades in the Blue Jays booth (Reuters).
• The announcement came as he was preparing for the team’s 50th anniversary season.

What was the official reason for his retirement?

• In his statement, Martinez said he hoped to be part of the anniversary season but decided it was time to “pass the torch” (Winnipeg Free Press / CP, the Canadian wire service).
• He cited his age (77) and health concerns as factors, and said he made the decision after discussing it with his wife Arlene (Reuters).

The pattern: Martinez didn’t wait until his health forced him out. He chose to leave on his own terms, setting an example for how a long career can end with dignity.

Where does Buck Martinez live now?

Has Buck Martinez always lived in Canada?

• Martinez was born in Redding, California, and moved to Canada during his playing career after a trade to the Blue Jays in May 1981 (CBS Sports).
• He has maintained a home in both countries, but currently resides in the Toronto area.

Does he split time between the US and Canada?

• While his exact living arrangements after retirement are not fully public, he has spent most of the year in Toronto during the baseball season and returns to the US in the offseason.
• His retirement statement referenced his Canadian home, suggesting he will remain in the Toronto area (Reuters).

What this means: Martinez has never fully severed his American roots, but Canada – and Toronto in particular – has become his professional and personal home.

What does Buck Martinez do now?

Is Buck Martinez still involved in baseball?

• After retiring from broadcasting, Martinez is expected to take on an advisory role with the Blue Jays, though details have not been finalized.
• He was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in March 2026, cementing his legacy in Canadian baseball.

What are his post-retirement plans?

• He may make occasional broadcast appearances and continue his charity work, but his primary activity will be enjoying retirement with family.
• Martinez has not announced any book or media projects, though his career would make for a compelling memoir.

The trade-off: Leaving the booth means fewer public appearances, but Martinez gains time to focus on his health and family – a trade many broadcasters struggle to make.

Who is Buck Martinez?

What was Buck Martinez’s playing career?

• Martinez played 17 MLB seasons as a catcher for the Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers, and Toronto Blue Jays, making his debut on June 18, 1969 (The Athletic / New York Times).
• He retired as a player in 1981 after being traded to Toronto in May of that year (CBS Sports).

How did he become a broadcaster?

• After retiring, Martinez moved into the broadcast booth, starting with Blue Jays radio in the 1980s. His main TV tenure began in 2003 and lasted through 2025, with a seven-year stint covering the Baltimore Orioles from 2003 to 2009 in between (CBS Sports).
• He called more than 4,000 Blue Jays games overall, dating back to 1987 (ESPN).

What managerial roles has he held?

• Martinez managed the Toronto Blue Jays from 2001 to 2002, posting a 100–112 record (CBS Sports).
• His managerial tenure was short but marked by his transition back to broadcasting afterward.

The implication: Martinez is one of the few people to have played, managed, and broadcast for the same Major League team – a rare trifecta that explains his deep connection with Blue Jays fans.

“It’s great to be back.”

– Buck Martinez, upon returning to the booth after cancer treatment in 2022 (Sportsnet)

“I hoped to be part of the 50th anniversary season, but it’s time to pass the torch.”

– Buck Martinez, retirement statement (Winnipeg Free Press / CP)

“Buck’s voice is synonymous with Blue Jays baseball. He will be missed.”

– Blue Jays front office statement

For Blue Jays fans, the silence in the booth will be the hardest adjustment. But Martinez’s decision to retire on his own terms, after a five-decade career and a courageous health battle, offers a model of grace under pressure. The franchise now faces the challenge of finding a voice that can fill his shoes – a nearly impossible task. For Martinez, the next chapter is about rest, recovery, and enjoying the game from a seat in the stands.