After planned break, Blue Jays broadcaster Buck Martinez to return next week
'This way, I can pace myself. I don't get stale and I don't get overloaded with baseball,' the broadcaster said of his reduced schedule
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This Buck doesn’t stop — he’s just pacing himself.
Popular Blue Jays broadcaster Buck Martinez is in the middle of a well-deserved — and fully planned — break from his work calling the team’s games on Sportsnet.
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After planned break, Blue Jays broadcaster Buck Martinez to return next week Back to video
But for Jays fans missing him on the broadcast over the past couple of weeks, not to worry: The 74-year-old former catcher and manager will return to the booth next Friday when the Jays open a home stand against the Atlanta Braves. That will begin another lengthy run in the booth that extends through most of May.
After recovering from cancer last year that sidelined him for a large portion of the season, Martinez came back stronger than ever. But as he negotiated a new contract in the off-season, the Florida resident and Sportsnet management decided on a 100-game schedule that allows him to stay healthy and fresh and enjoy some down time.
“It’s a good number for me,” Martinez said during an interview at Jays spring training. “There was so much unknown about what a full season would be like. I’m heavy with games in April and September and will pace myself throughout the rest of the season.”
That scheduling blueprint gives Martinez the chance to spend some quality time with his wife Arlene — including a vacation to Paris later this summer — as well as an opportunity to pace himself. By design, he wanted to have a long run to start the season, chronicling the many changes to a team he’s bullish on, and another run during the playoff stretch drive.
It also provides a wider forum for Joe Siddall, a terrific studio analyst who, like Martinez, works well alongside primary play-by-play voice Dan Shulman. Siddall is slated to work the 62 games Martinez is off.
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During this current scheduled break, Jays fans have been reaching out with concern about Martinez’s absence, wondering about his well being. But the reduced schedule has allowed the long-time Jays personality the ability to take care of what’s important to him.
“It was the right thing to do,” Martinez said of the schedule. “When I got home after a series or two (last season) I was tired.
“This way, I can pace myself. I don’t get stale and I don’t get overloaded with baseball,” Martinez added, citing that Paris trip and a fishing trip to Key West during another break. “I feel great. I golf four days a week. I work out with a trainer and lost 37 pounds. I’m at the same weight I was when I played.
“I feel great. I take care of myself and I’m full of energy.”
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