Dan Shulman’s farewell message to his broadcast partner wasn’t just a tweet; it was a love letter to a friendship that has defined Blue Jays baseball for three decades.
When the news broke yesterday, we all waited for Dan to weigh in, knowing his words would carry the most weight.
And true to form, the voice of the Blue Jays delivered a tribute that left every fan wiping away tears.
Shulman (Partnered with Buck since 1995) didn't focus on the home run calls or the technical analysis they shared in the booth.
Instead, he focused on the man behind the microphone—the tireless worker, the loyal friend, and the "significant figure" in franchise history.
"I couldn't have asked for a better broadcast partner. No one worked harder, no one cared more," Shulman wrote, stripping away the broadcast polish for raw emotion.
The bond between these two goes far deeper than just calling balls and strikes at the Rogers Centre.
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.
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More than just colleagues
They navigated the darker years of the franchise together, celebrated the Bautista bat flip era, and held the fort during the challenging COVID remote broadcasts.
We saw their brotherhood tested and strengthened when Buck battled cancer in 2022, with Dan anchoring the ship while keeping Buck’s seat warm.
Shulman’s acknowledgment that Buck has "meant the world to everyone" at Sportsnet highlights the massive void this retirement creates.
It is rare in professional sports to see two people work together for so long without ego getting in the way.
Dan’s message reminds us that while we are losing a legendary broadcaster, he is losing his "great friend" on the road.
The chemistry we heard on air wasn't fake; it was the sound of two guys who genuinely loved talking baseball together.
Buck may be stepping away, but the standard of class and camaraderie he and Dan set will be the benchmark forever.
We’re going to miss them, but we’re grateful we got to listen.
Is the Dan Shulman & Buck Martinez duo the best in Blue Jays history?
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