Athletes - Buck Martinez

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	Athletes - Buck Martinez

John Albert "Buck" Martinez (born November 7, 1948 in Redding, California) is a former catcher, manager and is currently a play-by-play commentator in Major League Baseball. He is currently managing the American national team at the World Baseball Classic.

Playing career

Martinez made his major league debut in 1969, playing 72 games with the Kansas City Royals. Over the next few years, however, he developed the reputation of being an offensive liability, and he never appeared in more than 95 games during his time with Kansas City (through 1977).

Martinez was traded twice over the next few years, first to the Milwaukee Brewers in late 1977 and then to the Toronto Blue Jays in early 1980. Martinez is most remembered for his time in Toronto, where he twice hit 10 home runs (in 1982 and 1983) and was regarded as a solid defensive catcher.

Martinez's career took a turn for the worse when he severely dislocated his ankle and broke his leg during a collision with Phil Bradley of the Seattle Mariners at home plate during a game on July 9, 1985. Even after the collision, he still threw the ball to third base in an attempt to catch advancing runner Gorman Thomas; when the throw went into left field, Thomas tried to come home but was tagged out by a sprawled out Martinez, who had managed to catch the return throw from George Bell on the ground.

Martinez attempted a comeback in 1986 but retired after hitting .181 in 81 games.

He managed the Toronto Blue Jays for the entire 2001 season and part of the 2002 season. His career record as a manager (all with the Jays) stands at 100 wins and 115 losses. He was fired by new Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi and replaced by Carlos Tosca.

Trivia

Martinez wore number 13 as both a player and a manager.
He has also been featured as a commentator in the Electronic Arts video game Triple Play '98
Said of disqualified WBC Team Mexico's reserve infielder, Principe Goro, "it's a miracle he never made it in the majors... it's a shame that the WBC won't let him play."

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