The Toronto Blue Jays will enter this season with more expectations than it's had the last three decades of the franchise.

The Blue Jays are coming off their first American League pennant since 1993 and made several notable additions this offseason in hopes of pushing for the World Series title in 2026.

If Toronto does win its third-ever World Series title, one of the most iconic voices in the franchise won't be on the call.

Broadcaster Buck Martinez announced his immediate retirement on social media Friday. He spent most of four decades with the Blue Jays organization as a player, manager and broadcaster. His broadcasting career also included games called for ESPN and a stint covering the Baltimore Orioles from 2003-09.

The Blue Jays' television broadcast partner, Sportsnet, made several posts on "X" and put out a news release honoring Martinez's long, multi-career tenure with the organization.

One of Martinez's partners in the broadcast booth, play-by-play announcer Dan Shulman, posted a thread on "X" honoring Martinez:

"By now, many of you have heard that Buck has announced his retirement. It goes without saying how much he has meant to Blue Jays fans for the last 40 years, and the same goes for everyone here at Sportsnet.
From the first day I worked with Buck back in 1995 right (through) the World Series this past season, I couldn’t have asked for a better broadcast partner. He was incredibly welcoming when I started and was a phenomenal teammate to me and everyone on our crew every single day.
No one worked harder, no one cared more. He’s one of the most significant figures in Blue Jays history, and all of us at Sportsnet know how lucky we are to have had him as a colleague, but even more importantly, as a great friend."

Toronto's president and CEO, Mark Shapiro, also released a statement on Martinez's retirement:

"Buck has been one of the most prominent figures in the history of the Toronto Blue Jays, dedicating decades to the game he loves and to this organization as a player, manager, and broadcaster.
Buck has connected generations of fans with his passion, insight, and unparalleled storytelling. His legacy extends far beyond the microphone, and he will always hold a special place in the hearts of Canadian baseball fans."

The former catcher will leave big shoes to fill in the broadcast booth with his retirement but he'll deserve a much-deserved break and rest.

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