The 58-year-old Canada native will take over the full-time role for Buck Martinez, who announced his retirement.
Earlier this offseason, longtime Toronto Blue Jays broadcaster Buck Martinez announced his retirement from the broadcast booth.
Now, it seems like the Blue Jays are getting ready to name a permanent successor in the form of 58-year-old Joe Siddall.
The former big league catcher wouldn't confirm the news, but the Toronto Sun had the information on Friday.
Siddall, who split time between the studio and game telecasts last season as he filled in for Martinez when he was on medical leave, will work alongside play-by-play man extraordinaire Dan Shulman for between 125-130 games this season.
Toronto is expected to finalize its broadcast plans shortly, per the outlet. Opening Day is less than two weeks away, with the Blue Jays opening up on March 27 against the Athletics.
About Siddall
A native of Windsor, Ontario, Siddall played his college baseball at Central Michigan University, making his major league debut in 1993. He spent parts of four seasons in the big leagues with the Montreal Expos, Florida Marlins and Detroit Tigers, appearing in 73 career games and hitting .169 with one home run.
About Buck Martinez as a broadcaster
The following came from Sportsnet at the time of his retirement:
Martinez first began broadcasting as an active player in 1982 when he called the ALCS, World Series and all-star game for Telemedia. He won a Sports Emmy Award for his work covering Cal Ripken's 2,131st consecutive game for ESPN in 1995, and another for Best Sports Analyst while covering the Baltimore Orioles from 2003-2009.
In all, he worked five World Series, four World Baseball Classics and multiple all-star and post-season games.
He worked Blue Jays games beginning in 1987 after his playing days were done, and then he also came back after his managerial tenure and his time with Baltimore.
Toronto Blue Jays broadcaster Buck Martinez after a tribute for his return to the booth for a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Rogers Centre after receiving cancer treatment: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn ImagesAbout Martinez as a player
The 77-year-old Martinez spent 17 years in the big leagues as a catcher with the Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers and Blue Jays. In total, he was a .225 hitter with 58 home runs. In six years with the Jays, he hit .222 with 35 homers.
He played in the playoffs one time: With the 1976 Royals, who lost in five games in the American League Championship Series to the New York Yankees. He hit .333.
About Martinez as a manager
He managed the Blue Jays for parts of two seasons (2000-01), going 100-115. The Jays went 80-82 in his only full season in 2000.
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