Former Blue Jay catcher (1981-86) and the team’s present TV color analyst, Buck Martinez, is hired as the Toronto manager, replacing recently-fired Jim Fregosi. The 51 year-old ESPN commentator joins Astros’ Larry Dierker and Diamondbacks’ Bob Brenly as first-time major league skippers hired from the broadcast booth.

ByTom

Former Blue Jay catcher (1981-86) and the team’s present TV color analyst, Buck Martinez, is hired as the Toronto manager, replacing recently-fired Jim Fregosi. The 51 year-old ESPN commentator joins Astros’ Larry Dierker and Diamondbacks’ Bob Brenly as first-time major league skippers hired from the broadcast booth.

Toronto Blue Jay Buck Martinez breaks his ankle, still makes the play at the plate

Toronto Blue Jay Buck Martinez breaks his ankle, still makes the play at the plate

ByBaseball

In the bottom of the 3rd inning of a game between the Blue Jays and the Mariners, Phil Bradley is on second base with one out when Gorman Thomas singles to right. Jesse Barfield’s throw to Buck Martinez nails Bradley, though Martinez breaks his ankle in the collision. When Thomas tries to take third base on the play, Martinez’ throw sails into LF. Thomas tries to score but George Bell’s throw to Martinez beats him. Buck makes the catch and tag while sitting on the ground. Ernie Whitt takes over catching and the Jays win in 13 innings, 9 – 4. The big blow is a grand slam homer by Bell in the 13th – the first extra-inning slam in club history – to break a 4 – 4 tie.