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From Worst to First: The Toronto Blue Jays in 1985
It was not an unusual play, at least for me.
I was just blocking the plate, trying to save a run in a scoreless tie.
Nothing heroic.
Nothing foolish.
Just trying, as I had since joining the Jays in 1981, to remind a runner that in any game against Toronto, home plate belonged to Buck Martinez, and no one else.
It’s a play that gets me hit on more occasions than I have time to count. I’ve been run over, knocked down, and even (several times) knocked out; but I’ve always escaped unscathed, unhurt, determined more than ever to protect that very private piece of turf I call my own.
That’s just the way I feel about home plate.
My teammates know this. The players with the other clubs know it. I’d even guess that most baseball fans who have ever seen me play know it too.
It’s not just home plate, it’s my home plate.
The only trouble on that fateful night in Seattle’s Kingdome, was that somebody had apparently
forgotten to tell Phil Bradley.
From spring training to season end, Martinez writes about the players, the coaches, the key games and the emotion of the team winning its first championship.
Buck’s story is sprinkled with first hand commentaries: the Bell-Kison incident, both crucial series against the Yankees, the best game the Jays ever played and post season games down to the final out.
I was just blocking the plate, trying to save a run in a scoreless tie.
Nothing heroic.
Nothing foolish.
Just trying, as I had since joining the Jays in 1981, to remind a runner that in any game against Toronto, home plate belonged to Buck Martinez, and no one else.
It’s a play that gets me hit on more occasions than I have time to count. I’ve been run over, knocked down, and even (several times) knocked out; but I’ve always escaped unscathed, unhurt, determined more than ever to protect that very private piece of turf I call my own.
That’s just the way I feel about home plate.
My teammates know this. The players with the other clubs know it. I’d even guess that most baseball fans who have ever seen me play know it too.
It’s not just home plate, it’s my home plate.
The only trouble on that fateful night in Seattle’s Kingdome, was that somebody had apparently
forgotten to tell Phil Bradley.
From spring training to season end, Martinez writes about the players, the coaches, the key games and the emotion of the team winning its first championship.
Buck’s story is sprinkled with first hand commentaries: the Bell-Kison incident, both crucial series against the Yankees, the best game the Jays ever played and post season games down to the final out.
178 pages, Paperback
First published November 24, 2010
15 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 1, 2022
4.5 stars rounded up for the man, Buck Martinez ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I actually found this book so captivating! As someone who grew up hearing Buck's voice commentating for Blue Jays games, there is such a strong level of nostalgia and wonder in reading a book written by him, about a season he played such an important role in. I have never been interested in or read a sport history book before but this was a wonderful experience.
The way Buck Martinez romanticizes baseball is apparent both in his writing, and in the broadcast booth and it's SO infectious. I really enjoyed the way he analyzed players, games, successful and failed plays, the coaching staff, the process of selecting players for the team, etc. Some of the game highlights he describes, and the WILD and tragic way he was injured in 1985, blew me away!
I've become a bit of an amateur but passionate baseball fan over the years, dedicated to learning as much as I can about the sport and this book is also an excellent educational resource. I learned a lot about what makes the difference between a good player and a great player, about the importance of solid teammate and coaching relationships, and about the complexity of the mental & physical intersections that takes years of experience to really get a handle on.
I think Buck is the epitome of a true baseball fan (and player) with a big heart for the game, you can feel it in every chapter. I am happy to see him back in the broadcasting role after his cancer treatment this year.
In the legendary words of the man himself: "SWING AND A DRIVE!! GET UP BALL, GET UP BALL... AND IT'S OUTTA HERE!!!" 🤩
I actually found this book so captivating! As someone who grew up hearing Buck's voice commentating for Blue Jays games, there is such a strong level of nostalgia and wonder in reading a book written by him, about a season he played such an important role in. I have never been interested in or read a sport history book before but this was a wonderful experience.
The way Buck Martinez romanticizes baseball is apparent both in his writing, and in the broadcast booth and it's SO infectious. I really enjoyed the way he analyzed players, games, successful and failed plays, the coaching staff, the process of selecting players for the team, etc. Some of the game highlights he describes, and the WILD and tragic way he was injured in 1985, blew me away!
I've become a bit of an amateur but passionate baseball fan over the years, dedicated to learning as much as I can about the sport and this book is also an excellent educational resource. I learned a lot about what makes the difference between a good player and a great player, about the importance of solid teammate and coaching relationships, and about the complexity of the mental & physical intersections that takes years of experience to really get a handle on.
I think Buck is the epitome of a true baseball fan (and player) with a big heart for the game, you can feel it in every chapter. I am happy to see him back in the broadcasting role after his cancer treatment this year.
In the legendary words of the man himself: "SWING AND A DRIVE!! GET UP BALL, GET UP BALL... AND IT'S OUTTA HERE!!!" 🤩
June 13, 2020
A decent accounting of a coming-of-age Toronto Blue Jays team ... one of the first really good teams. Clearly it is Buck Martinez's first attempt at writing and an uneducated Blue Jays fan may have difficulty following some of the personnel, but it is an easy read and enjoyable. The story of him breaking his leg is epic.
January 14, 2024
This is a really good recap of the 1985 Blue Jays season. Full of personal insight, it’s books like this that tell you how everyone knew Buck would be an excellent broadcaster and writer right away.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews