Buck Martinez on Level of Excellence

I'm old enough to remember when the name Roberto Alomar could be found on the Level of Excellence at Skydome. Back in 2021, Major League Baseball placed Roberto Alomar on their Ineligible List, following an independent investigation, and his name was quickly removed.

On Toronto Mike'd we often speculate who should be next to receive such an honour. Jose Bautista is now there, but who's next? Jimmy Key? Tom Henke? Edwin Encarnacion? Jerry Howarth?

All good choices, especially Jerry Howarth, but I think the choice is clear. It's time to honour Buck Martinez. In fact, Rogers should add Buck Martinez to the Level of Excellence this season, now that Buck is returning to broadcasting games following another bout with cancer. Perhaps September 28 when the Jays host the Rays in the final regular season game before the playoffs.

Buck Martinez, whose son once attended my primary school while I was there, joined the Blue Jays on May 10, 1981 when he was traded for Gil Kubski. He caught for the Jays until he was released on November 12, 1986.

Buck was best known for:

• Catching Dave Stieb - click here to hear why Stieb belongs in Cooperstown
• A play on July 9, 1985 that us Jays fans of a certain vintage will never, ever forget

On July 9, 1985, my personal favourite Blue Jays season (if we exclude the two World Series wins), the Jays were in Seattle taking on the Mariners at the old Kingdome. Martinez was blocking home plate when Phil Bradley came in hard, breaking Buck's leg and dislocating his ankle. Bradley was out, and Martinez had the wherewithal to throw to third where Gorman Thomas was trying to advance. That throw went into left field where George Bell scooped it up and threw home. That's when Buck Martinez, broken leg and dislocated ankle and all, managed to tag Thomas out. A double play, and Buck was forever more to be a fan favourite.

Buck retired after being released by the Blue Jays, and joined the TSN broadcast as an analyst, first alongside Fergie Olver, then Jim Hughson, then Dan Shulman, with whom he broadcasts to this day.

It wasn't continuous, as Buck managed the Blue Jays in 2001 and 2002, and then went on to work on Orioles broadcasts, but he came back to the Blue Jays' broadcast booth in 2010, this time doing play-by-play, replacing Jamie Campbell. He worked with Pat Tabler for years until Dan Shulman returned.

When you consider his playing career and broadcasting career, as well as his recent health challenges, it's absolutely time to honour the man on the Level of Excellence while he's well enough to attend the ceremony and soak in the love from Jays fans.