Blue Jays induct Buck Martinez into Hall of Excellence

sportsAug 29, 202639662

The Toronto Blue Jays opened a new Hall of Excellence on the 100 Level in the right-field corner of Rogers Centre and on Saturday inducted broadcaster Buck Martinez. Eight living franchise icons, George Bell, Dave Stieb, Joe Carter, Cito Gaston, Carlos Delgado, Jose Bautista, Paul Beeston and Pat Gillick, stood at the unveiling while lockers in the Hall honor the late Roy Halladay, Tony Fernandez and Tom Cheek. Club representatives framed the space as a permanent home to preserve Blue Jays history and to tell the stories behind the team’s first 50 years. At the induction ceremony Martinez received a standing ovation, finished his speech with the line "Swing and a drive, get up, get out of here, I'm gone," and threw a ceremonial first pitch as the Rogers Centre roof began opening above him.

Keegan Matheson

@keeganmatheson.bsky.social

Buck Martinez is the best of us. I’ve seen what he means to people, but also how he treats people. It doesn’t matter if you’re a Hall of Famer or the new guy, he makes you feel like you belong in the room. I was that new guy once. This is so deserved. What a man. What a life.

1282h ago

Doc Naismith 🇨🇦10

For those who missed Buck’s own send-off.

apottsie.bsky.social3

That was a great ceremony for a great man.

Kaitlyn Reining3

What a beautiful day. It’s so rare to witness someone being celebrated in this way. How lucky are we? Thank you, Buck. Congratulations!

MakesMeWannaUke🇨🇦2

That’s the highest praise anyone could hope for. Lucky you got to experience it.

Mike Wilner

@wilnerness.bsky.social

A standing ovation for Buck Martinez from a sellout crowd after a wonderful heartfelt speech, that he finished with "Swing and a drive, get up, I'm gone!" The the roof opens above him as Buck throws out the ceremonial first pitch to #Jays manager John Schneider.

812h ago

🍁🇨🇦Team Canada Forever🇨🇦🍁

@teamcanadaforever.bsky.social

Sportsnet just confirmed Buck Martinez arrived on the shores of Lake Ontario in 1981. Lake Ontario. 📝 Someone please forward the tape to the White House. Apparently Canadian geography lessons are now required viewing down there. 😂🇨🇦 Congrats, Buck! ⚾️🍁

642h ago

Liz McGuire

@lizzybluejays.bsky.social

In 2023 I was sitting in the bleachers, it was an Apple Tv night, looked to my left & there was Buck Martinez. ✨💫 Like a friggin baseball miracle #bluejays50

672h ago

Blake Murphy

@blakemurphy.bsky.social

The Blue Jays unveil their new Hall of Excellence in section 104

357h ago

Quoting this

Asher10

This is great, but it also looks like these guys are opening a luxury car rental outlet.

Mitch Bannon

@mitchbannon.bsky.social

Buck Martinez ends his #BlueJays pre-game ceremony speech: "Swing and a drive. Get up, get out of here, I'm gone."

322h ago

Toronto Blue Jays

@bluejaysbot.bsky.social

The man (and voice) loved across Canada 🇨🇦 John Albert "Buck" Martinez 💙

212h ago

Adam Bunch

@adambunch.bsky.social

My favourite photo of Buck Martinez: riding a camel at Exhibition Stadium as part of a Toronto zoo promotion in 1982. He looks less comfortable than he did when he broke his leg.

Buck Martinez sitting between the two humps of a camel not looking very comfortable at all. (Photo: the Toronto Star via the Toronto Public Library)

174h ago

Susan Mitchell

@susanfromontario.bsky.social

Happy #BuckMartinezDay to all who celebrate. Looking forward to the celebration coming up. #BlueJays

164h ago

Nick Ashbourne

@nickashbourne.bsky.social

Quite the setup for Buck Martinez today at Rogers Centre.

193h ago

To Love a Mariner Podcast

@toloveamariner.bsky.social

Buck Martinez just said that Cal Raleigh gave him a thumbs up and a salute from a distance before the game 😭

162h ago

Tao of Stieb

@taoofstieb.bsky.social

Here’s the unveiling ceremony. It’s about 11 minutes. You’ll have to watch a couple of ads, but that’s how they pay for Dan Shulman (who will be added in there at some point.) www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/video/fu...

125h ago