Friday, November 3, 2000
Blue Jays name Buck Martinez as manager
Press Release from
bluejays.com
The Toronto Blue Jays have named Buck Martinez as the eighth full-time manager in franchise history and have signed him to a three-year contract.
Martinez, who turns 52 on November 7, played 17 seasons in the Major Leagues for the Kansas City Royals (1969- 1971, 1973- 1977), the Milwaukee Brewers (1978-1980) and the Toronto Blue Jays (1981- 1986). The right-handed hitting catcher posted a career average of .225 in 1,049 games with 58 home runs and 321 RBI. In his six seasons with Toronto the Holmdel, New Jersey resident, hit .221 with 35 home runs and 154 RBI. During his playing career in Toronto he also authored two books, From Worst to First in 1985 and The Last Out in 1986.
Martinez has 18 years of broadcasting experience, which began while he was playing for the Toronto Blue Jays. From 1982 through 1988 he worked for the Telemedia Radio Network on their post-season broadcast and in-season post-game analysis. From 1987 to 2000 Buck has worked as a colour commentator on Blue Jays television broadcasts for TSN. Since 1992 he has served as a colour commentator for both ESPN Television and ESPN Radio. He also serves as an analyst for ESPN on Baseball Tonight and their Game of the Week telecasts.
