Buck Martinez Bio | Wiki
Buck Martinez (Full name: John Albert “Buck” Martinez) is an American journalist serving as the television play-by-play announcer for the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Sportsnet. He has been a part of the network since officially joining in 2010.
Buck is a former professional baseball catcher and manager. He played in Major League Football for 17 seasons. During his time as a player, Buck played with several teams including Kansas City Royals, the Milwaukee Brewers, and the Toronto Blue Jays.
Buck Martinez Age | Birthday
He was born on November 7, 1948, in Redding, California, in the United States of America. Buck is 73 years old and celebrates his birthday on November 7 each and every year.
Buck Martinez Height
He is a man of average stature. Buck stands at a height of 5 ft 8 in (approx. 1.72 m).
Buck Martinez Family
He was born and also raised in Redding, California, in the United States under the love, support, and care of his hardworking and devoted parents. Buck holds an American nationality by birth but belongs to the white ethnicity.
Buck Martinez Wife
He is a married man. Buck is happily and contentedly married to his supportive and caring wife Arlene Martinez. The two have been living under the same roof since they were wedded in 1975. Currently, they are proud to be sharing their son Casey Martinez. Presently, the adorable couple resides in New Port Richey, Florida.
Buck Martinez Son
The duo began their parenthood on August 31, 1977, in Kansas City, Missouri whe they ushered in Casey. Casey is 44 years old and stands at a height of 5 feet 11 inches. He was first selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 47th round during the 2000 amateur draft.
Buck Martinez Education
He attained his High School Diploma from Elk Grove High School in California and later furthered his studies at Sacramento City College. However, Buck later joined Sacramento State University and also enrolled at Southwest Missouri State University.
Buck Martinez Books
Other than being a baseball player, baseball manager, and baseball reporter Buck is also a part-time author. Buck has written and published three books. These books include:
- From Worst To First: The Toronto Blue Jays(1985)
- The Last Out: The Toronto Blue Jays(1986)
- Change Up: How to Make the Great Game of Baseball Even Better (2016)
Buck Martinez Baseball
Originally, Buck played for the Philadelphia Phillies as a free agent before he was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 1968 rule 5 draft. However, he was later traded to the Kansas City Royals. He played his first MLB game in 1969. In 1977, the Kansas City Royals traded Buck to the Milwaukee Brewers. However, four years later, he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays on May 10, 1981.
While playing for the Toronto Blue Jays Buck was regarded as a solid defensive catcher for making 10 home runs both in 1982 and 1983. On July 9, 1985, in a game against Seattle Mariners, Buck broke his leg and dislocated his ankle on a home plate against Phil Bradley. After his severe injury, Buck tried a comeback in 1986 but eventually retired after hitting .181 in 81 games.
Buck Martinez Sportnet
Currently, he works at Rogers Sportsnet, where he serves as the television play-by-play announcer for the Toronto Blue Jays. He has been working at the network since officially joining the network in 2010. Immediately after resigning as a professional baseball player, Buck joined the journalism industry. His first job in the journalism industry was in 1987 when he was hired as a color analyst for Toronto Blue Jays games.
A few years later he was hired at TSN and worked alongside Fergie Olver. In 1990, Fergie was replaced with Jim Hughson, however, Buck remained as the color analyst. The pair worked together on several ESPN programs, as well as on the EA Sports Triple Play Baseball video game series. In 1994, Jim left TSN and was replaced by Dan Shulman. In 2001 Buck left TSN, from 2003 to 2009 Buck worked for the Baltimore Orioles television broadcasts as the color commentator along with play-by-play announcers Jim Hunter and Gary Thorne on the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network.
Additionally, he also worked at XM Radio as a co-host of “This Morning Show” which aired on the MLB Home Plate channel. In April 2009, Buck worked at NESN as a substitute commentator for Jerry Remy. There, he covered the three-game Red Sox–Rays series. Furthermore, Buck has been working as a color analyst at the World Series since 2016.
Buck Martinez Managerial Career
In 2000, Buck was hired as a manager by the Toronto Blue Jays after Jim Fregosi’s contract was not renewed. However, his role as the team’s manager was short-lived, Buck has fired just before 53 games into the 2002 season after the team posted a 20–33 record. He was fired after the Blue Jays had defeated the Detroit Tigers and were on a three-game winning streak. He was replaced as the Team’s manager by Carlos Tosca.
Martinez was selected as the field manager for Team USA in the 2006 inaugural World Baseball Classic.[17] He led the superstar-laden American squad to the second round. While Martinez wore number 13 as both a player and a manager in the Major Leagues, he wore number 31 while managing in the WBC because Alex Rodriguez had already been assigned number 13.
Buck Martinez Illness
Unfortunately, Martinez was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. He publically announced the sad news on April 17, 2020, stating that the game on Easter Sunday would be his last game before going for treatment. On June 29, 2022, Martinez posted on his Twitter account that he finished his treatment and is headed home to begin rehab and recovery.
Buck Martinez Salary
For his services as the television play-by-play announcer for the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Sportsnet, it is obvious that he is rewarded remarkably. Buck’s average salary is $98,670 annually.
Buck Martinez’s Net Worth
From his previous career as a baseball player, baseball manager, journalist, and author it is obvious to all that he has successfully accumulated his justly acquired fortune over the years. Buck’s average net worth is $3.2 million.
Where Is Buck Martinez Now
Currently, Buck works as a television play-by-play announcer for the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Sportsnet since officially joining in 2010.
How Old Is Buck Martinez
He was born to his loving and caring parents on November 7, 1948, in Redding, California, in the United States of America. Therefore, Buck is 73 years old.