Toronto Blue Jays: Buck Martinez (Dan Shulman), play-by-play, Pat Tabler, color
Martinez is part of a select subset of the fraternity of MLB play-by-play guys. He’s one of only two active today who actually played in the major leagues.
A 17-year veteran with the Royals, Brewers, and Blue Jays, he caught more than 1,000 games before retiring to get into media and – in 2001 and 2002 – management. He had a 100-115 record running the Jays in 2001 and 2002 before returning to the broadcast booth. He became the Jays’ lead announcer 12 years ago and since 2016 has shared duties with Shulman.
Equally familiar to Jays fans, Shulman is a Toronto native who began doing play-by-play – with Martinez – in 1995. He left for ESPN in 2001 only to reunite and tag-team with Martinez 15 years later.
Tabler was a 12 year MLB veteran before getting into media. He has been the primary TV analyst since 2001.
The Jays team brings an obvious depth of knowledge to its duties, a trait that mixes easily with the natural likeability of both Martinez and Shulman. The fact that Martinez, Shulman, and Tabler have worked together over such a span is irrefutable proof of their obvious rapport.
Weaknesses? The Jays team is so coldly efficient and professional that their telecasts can from time to time lack something in the way of pure abstract entertainment value. And while Tabler is a fully competent analyst, his oratory is merely good; it does not reach the consummate levels or demonstrate the natural smoothness attained by the best in what he does.
Experience: 5
Likeability: 5
Knowledge: 5
Humor:3
Rapport: 4
Oratory: 4
Total: 26