Buck Martinez announces retirement after 2025 season, ending decades as the trusted voice of Toronto Blue Jays baseball

Buck Martinez is stepping away from the broadcast booth, and the news hit Blue Jays fans straight in the heart. The longtime voice of the Toronto Blue Jays announced he will retire after the 2025 World Series.

Martinez is 77, and his career with the team stretches back nearly four decades. For many fans, his voice is part of how they learned the game.In his announcement, Martinez said the choice came after long talks with his wife. He shared that it felt like the right time to slow down and enjoy life away from the grind of travel and daily games. He also made it clear this was not a goodbye to baseball or to the Blue Jays. “I will always be a Blue Jay,” Martinez said in his full statement, thanking fans, players, and coworkers for years of trust and support.

Martinez is not just retiring someday.

He will finish the 2025 season and then close the book on one of the longest broadcast runs in team history.

Buck Martinez’s journey from player to manager to Blue Jays broadcaster shaped generations of fans

Buck Martinez first joined the Blue Jays broadcast team in 1987, right after a 17-year playing career in Major League Baseball. Over time, his calm style and clear explanations made games easy to follow, even for new fans. He later stepped away from the booth to manage the Blue Jays during the 2001 and 2002 seasons, adding another layer to his connection with the team.

Martinez’s career was not always easy. He openly battled serious health issues, including treatment for squamous cell carcinoma and lung cancer. Each time, he returned with the same steady voice and love for the game. His openness helped fans understand the human side of life in sports, beyond wins and losses.As his retirement nears, the focus now shifts to what comes next. The Blue Jays are expected to honor Martinez throughout the 2025 season, with special moments planned as the franchise moves toward its 50th anniversary in 2026. Fans are also starting to wonder who will take his place and how the broadcast will feel without him.Even with those questions, one thing is clear. Buck Martinez leaves behind a legacy built on trust, warmth, and a deep respect for the game. His voice may fade from the booth, but his impact on Blue Jays baseball will not.