Blue Jays induct Buck Martinez into Hall of Excellence

sportsAug 29, 202642972

The Toronto Blue Jays opened a new Hall of Excellence on the 100 Level in the right-field corner of Rogers Centre and inducted broadcaster and former player Buck Martinez in a ceremony Saturday. The unveiling revealed eight living Hall members standing together: George Bell, Dave Stieb, Joe Carter, Cito Gaston, Carlos Delgado, Jose Bautista, Paul Beeston and Pat Gillick, while lockers in the Hall honor the late Roy Halladay, Tony Fernandez and Tom Cheek. Club officials said the Hall creates a permanent home to preserve the stories, achievements and memories that shaped the franchise’s 50-year history. Fans and inductees praised the space as a way to remind people of the organization’s history; Martinez closed his induction speech with the line, "Swing and a drive. Get up, get out of here, I'm gone."

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.

15445d ago

Doc Naismith 🇨🇦14

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

Kaitlyn Reining5

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

apottsie.bsky.social4

That was a great ceremony for a great man.

MakesMeWannaUke🇨🇦2

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

🍁🇨🇦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! ⚾️🍁

14945d ago

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.

12145d 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

9145d ago

Christian!1

Probably the wildest moment you had at a baseball game

CJ10 🇨🇦1

You just happened to have a ball on you as well? That's a great memory for sure

Flat Pluto Society1

That is AWESOME. And he had such a good signature, too!

Ben Nicholson-Smith

@bnsbaseball.bsky.social

Phenomenal job by Blue Jays with their Buck Martinez ceremony today. Buck's impact on this organization & fan base is massive. Behind the scenes: a hard worker, extremely prepared & courteous. Brought good vibes & set a positive tone. Wishing him the best in retirement.

7245d ago

Blake Murphy

@blakemurphy.bsky.social

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

3545d 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."

3745d ago

Toronto Blue Jays

@bluejaysbot.bsky.social

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

2845d 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)

2045d ago

Swagger

@girlswagger101.bsky.social

W! That’s a win on Buck Martinez Day! #BlueJays win 4-3. 🙌🏼

1945d ago

Nick Ashbourne

@nickashbourne.bsky.social

Quite the setup for Buck Martinez today at Rogers Centre.

2345d ago

Susan Mitchell

@susanfromontario.bsky.social

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

1645d 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 😭

1745d 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...

1445d ago

Tanis Fowler

@tanisfowler.bsky.social

Buck Martínez one of the greatest Jays of all time. Get up ball!

Buck Martínez speaks on the field at the SkyDome as he is inducted into the Hall of Excellence.

1145d ago

1 source

mlb.comBlue Jays honor icons with Hall of Excellence

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Blue Jays induct Buck Martinez into Hall of Excellence

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