Toronto Blue Jays fans show love to Buck Martinez after he shares heartbreaking health struggles
Toronto Blue Jays fans across the country are rallying to send their love, support, and well wishes to longtime broadcaster Buck Martinez.
Martinez has worked for Sportsnet as a colour commentator during Blue Jays games for well over a decade, making his voice a very familiar staple for many across Canada. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been a part of the broadcasting crew in recent months.
The 76-year-old first revealed that he was diagnosed with cancer in April of 2022, though he wound up completing his treatment just a few months later. In recent months, however, he’d learned that it had spread to his lungs, causing him to step away from the Blue Jays in late May.
Since then, Martinez has fought hard to get back to calling games for the red-hot Blue Jays and is set to return to the booth for tonight’s game against the LA Dodgers.
“I didn’t know if I was getting back,” Martinez admitted to Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun. “That was a big thing. When I first found out about it I was pretty grumpy. But my wife has been phenomenal. She never let me feel sorry for myself. She always pointed to the children we saw in (the hospital) in Houston and said you don’t have it so bad. She’s a rock.”
“I don’t know if I really got clearance,” he said. “I just told them I was going back." – After battling lung cancer for the past two months, Buck Martinez is returning to #Bluejays baseball. From my conversation with the beloved Sportsnet broadcaster. https://t.co/Qx9NlrPQXk
— Rob Longley (@longleysunsport) August 8, 2025
Martinez will then return to Toronto for a six-game homestand before heading down south to get some more treatments done. He’ll return to the booth for good in September. To no surprise, seeing him return is of great excitement to Blue Jays fans.
Outstanding that Buck comes back for the stretch run! It also gives the team and individual players a chance to show and give support to Buck personally and acknowledge him “now in the present” as a cherished knowledgeable and living historical resource for the Jays aspirations!
— handsoitgoes (@handsoitgoes) August 8, 2025
“Buck is so loved by Blue Jay fans, me included,” another user wrote on X. “I wish Buck all the best. He’s doing what he loves!!”
X
Of course, there is still a road to recovery for Martinez, and rest assured, Blue Jays fans are going to continue to support him every step of the way.
Level of Excellence now!!! Do it while he’s here to enjoy it
— KIM JONG GOON (@rxnnie97) August 8, 2025
The Blue Jays are set to take on the Dodgers in the first of a three-game series this evening, where Martinez will indeed be on the call. First pitch is scheduled for 10:10 p.m. EDT.
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