Buck Martinez takes his place in new Blue Jay’s Hall of Excellence

The blue carpet was rolled out at Rogers Centre on Saturday in a celebration for Buck Martinez, the Blue Jays’ former catcher, manager and long-time colour analyst. The 77-year-old, who has battled cancer twice over the past four years, was inducted into the team’s Hall of Excellence as a broadcaster.

A sellout crowd of 41,000-plus rose to its feet and cheered as Martinez walked out onto the field for a pre-game ceremony during which he was surrounded by his family, including Arlene, his wife of 51 years. His eyes welled with tears and he brushed one off his cheek as he watched a lengthy tribute video that detailed his career.

In the last week he announced that he is free of cancer.

“To be here today is a godsend,” he told the fans. “I’m very emotional now. Thank you all for being here.”

He concluded his remarks by saying, “As I join the Hall of Excellence today, I enter it with a heart full of gratitude.”

Martinez joined Toronto as a catcher in 1981, began to work in broadcasting in 1987 and was hired as the Blue Jays’ manager in 2001. He was invited to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the contest between Toronto and Seattle.

Early-arriving fans were gifted with Buck Martinez bobbleheads and Buck Martinis were served at bars along the stadium’s concourses. The menu in the media and staff dining room included all of his favourites: Grilled steak, Maryland crab cakes, roasted potatoes Lyonnaise and spinach and cheese ravioli.

He played in the major leagues for 17 years with Kansas City, Toronto and Milwaukee and was best known as a strong defensive catcher. He is more beloved for what he has accomplished since his playing days ended than during them. He retired as a broadcaster after the 2025 season but was brought back for one final inning.

Until Saturday the Blue Jays honoured members of their Hall of Excellence by brandishing their names above the outfield. But earlier in the day the club unveiled a physical Hall of Excellence that celebrates the people and moments that have shaped the franchise for half a century.

The space on the stadium’s 100 level behind right field contains a treasure trove of artifacts. Lockers are set up for each of the eight players and manager in the hall: George Bell, Dave Stieb, Joe Carter, Cito Gaston, Carlos Delgado, José Bautista, Tony Fernandez and Roy Halladay.

Mementoes speak to their place in club history. The Cy Young Award Halladay won in 2003 as the American League’s most outstanding pitcher. A ball from Stieb’s no-hitter against Cleveland in 1990, the only one ever recorded by a Toronto pitcher. The bat that Bautista famously flipped after hitting a dramatic home run against Texas during the 2015 American League Divisional Series. A collection of gold gloves awarded to players who were the best fielders in the AL at their positions. A collection of silver bats won by team members who were similarly the best offensive players at their positions. A letter from Prime Minister Brian Mulroney to Gaston, the manager who led Toronto to World Series championships in 1992 and 1993.

There are also displays to honour Paul Beeston, the team’s first employee and founding fathers, Pat Gillick and Tom Cheek. Gillick was the Blue Jays’ general manager when they won five division titles and both of their World Series’. Cheek was their play-by-play radio announcer from 1977 until his retirement in 2004. His microphone is part of the exhibit.

A gold curtain was drawn aside to unveil the Hall of Excellence. Afterwards members took photos and videos of one another and visited each other’s lockers.

“I think it is amazing,” Bautista said. “It’s great to be a part of Blue Jays history. I am very happy and proud.”

Carter hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning in 1993 when the Blue Jays won their second World Series. The organization unveiled a statue of him outside Rogers Centre last month.

“I was not expecting anything like this,” he said. “It’s something you never think about when you play the game.”

Delgado stood in front of his commemorative locker. He hit more home runs – 336 – than any other Toronto player.

“It’s nice to be here,” he said. “There are so many memories, you know?”

Items in Martinez’s locker include a bat, a score book, a jersey and one of his catcher’s mitts.

To many people, he is Mr. Blue Jay.

“It’s hard for me to grasp it,” he said. “There were so many great players and managers in club history. It’s very humbling.”

He said he was blown away by the pre-game festivities.

“I didn’t have any idea what was going to happen,” he said. “The Blue Jays did a hell of a job. I never really thought I was that important and I still don’t.”