Toronto Blue Jays opening their own hall of fame and Buck Martinez is first inductee

The Toronto Blue Jays organization is preparing to honour former player and longtime colour commentator Buck Martinez.

Martinez, who also served a brief stint as the Blue Jays manager, had been calling games as a broadcaster with Sportsnet since 2010, until the 77-year-old announced his retirement in February.

Understanding just how beloved Martinez is among the team's vast fanbase, the Blue Jays are set to show him love with the organization's biggest honour.

In a video posted on X, Mark Shapiro announced that the Blue Jays will transform the Level of Excellence into the Hall of Excellence, replacing the names of team greats in the Rogers Centre's upper decks with a display on the 100-level right-field concourse.

The new Hall of Excellence will be opened this coming August.

"As we transform the Level of Excellence into the Hall of Excellence, there is no more fitting first inductee into this new Hall than Buck Martinez," Shapiro said. "Buck has played so many important roles for this franchise. First as a player, then as a manager, and then for decades as our broadcaster. 

"He has symbolized the professionalism and passion for the game of baseball, and for so many of our fans has served as a point of connection to so many special moments throughout Blue Jays history."

Coming in August: A NEW Hall of Excellence - a display in the 100 Level RF Concourse.

The newest inductee to the Hall: The one and only Buck Martinez 💙 pic.twitter.com/lhfajc3PEs

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) March 19, 2026

Shapiro also included that over the next five seasons, the Blue Jays will induct a series of players, coaches, builders, and broadcasters into the Hall of Excellence. 

The Blue Jays currently have 11 individuals in their Level of Excellence: Dave Stieb, Roy Halladay, Pat Gillick, Cito Gaston, Tony Fernandez, Carlos Delgado, Tom Cheek, Joe Carter, George Bell, Paul Beeston, and Jose Bautista.

Joining those names is fitting for Martinez, and is a decision that will have Blue Jays fans overjoyed. 

Martinez was forced to take a leave of absence during the 2025 season while he underwent months of treatment for lung cancer. He was able to return in August and received a massive ovation from Blue Jays faithful.

Though it was disappointing to see Martinez announce his retirement last month, it felt fitting that his final season with the team was one in which they were able to advance to the World Series for the first time in over three decades.

"It has been a fantastic journey with Sportsnet, the Blue Jays and the wonderful Blue Jays fans all over the world," Martinez said during his retirement announcement. "Thank you all for embracing me and welcoming my family and me in a way that has made us feel like we are part of yours.

"I will dearly miss my working partners, the leadership at Rogers, and the Toronto Blue Jays baseball club, all of whom made it so much fun to be at the ballpark talking about the game I’ve loved for my whole life."