Longtime Toronto Blue Jays broadcaster Buck Martinez is cancer-free and gaining strength.
Martinez caught up with the team at Tropicana Field earlier in the week, sharing the good news before watching the Blue Jays take two of three from the Rays.
He is planning to be at Rogers Centre again when the Blue Jays return to Toronto for their upcoming homestand. Next Saturday, the Blue Jays will induct the former catcher, manager and broadcaster into their new Hall of Excellence ahead of a game against the Seattle Mariners (Sportsnet, Sportsnet+, 3 p.m. ET / noon PT).
"It will be special to be able to say thank you to the fans," Martinez told Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun in a recent interview. "The fans have treated me so well as a player, as a broadcaster, as a manager. And that will mean a lot."
Martinez, 77, retired from broadcasting in February, making Game 7 of the World Series his final call in the Blue Jays booth.
He first announced he had cancer in April 2022, when he stepped away from the booth for treatment before a brief mid-season return. He also missed about three months last season from May to July to undergo treatment.
One of the most beloved figures in Blue Jays history, Martinez first joined the organization in a trade during the 1981 season. He spent six seasons with the club as a catcher before retiring in 1986 after a 17-year MLB career.
A year later, he joined the Blue Jays television broadcast as a colour commentator, beginning the first of two stints in between a role as the team's manager from 2001-2002.
Martinez worked as both a play-by-play announcer and colour commentator throughout his time in the booth.
The new Hall of Excellence will replace the previous Level of Excellence, which was located on the facing of the 400 level of the ballpark.
All 11 previous members of the Level of Excellence will join the Hall of Excellence, which will be located on the 100-level concourse behind right field.
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