Buck Martinez to be first inductee into Blue Jays’ new Hall of Excellence

March 19, 2026

By Kevin Glew

Cooperstowners in Canada

Buck Martinez will be the first inductee into the Toronto Blue Jays’ new Hall of Excellence which will open at the Rogers Centre in August.

The induction ceremony will take place on August 29.

The Hall, which will be located in the 100 level in right field, will replace the team’s Level of Excellence.

“As we transform the Level of Excellence into a Hall of Fame, there is no more fitting first inductee into this new Hall than Buck Martinez,” said Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro in a video released by the Blue Jays on Thursday. “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.”

Martinez announced his retirement from the Blue Jays broadcast booth on February 6.

Prior to his broadcasting career, Martinez was a big league catcher for parts of 17 seasons – the last six with the Blue Jays. He started his TV broadcast career as an analyst on Blue Jays games in 1987. He proceeded to call more than 4,000 Blue Jays games in two separate tenures from 1987 to 2025.

Martinez also managed the Blue Jays for 115 games in 2001 and 2002.

In a video released by the team, Shapiro hailed the Blue Jays’ new Hall of Excellence as a “very important part” of the club’s 50th season.

“For decades, the Level of Excellence had stood a symbol of greatness for our organization – a way for Blue Jays legends to be recognized and celebrated alongside our fans,” said Shapiro. “This year, as we honour our franchise’s incredible history, we will be transforming the Level of Excellence into the Hall of Excellence.”

Shapiro says the Hall of Excellence will give fans “an interactive and immersive way to connect with the moments and people who have shaped Blue Jays baseball.”

“Over the next five seasons, we’ll induct a series of players, coaches, builders and broadcasters who have made a lasting impact, as legends, on this franchise,” said Shapiro.

Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi reports that fans will vote for the new inductees each year.

Davidi also reported that the 11 members of the Blue Jays’ Level of Excellence – Dave Stieb (1996), George Bell (1996), Joe Carter (1999), Cito Gaston (1999), Tony Fernandez (2001), Pat Gillick (2002), Tom Cheek (2004), Paul Beeston (2008), Carlos Delgado (2013), Roy Halladay (2018) and Jose Bautista (2023) – will be moved to the new Hall of Excellence.