The University of the Fraser Valley baseball team has quickly found a new featured speaker for its February fundraiser.
Current Toronto Blue Jays play-by-play man Buck Martinez fills the spot vacated by Greg Zaun, who was pulled after he was fired last week by Sportsnet.
Martinez will appear Feb. 10 at the Quality Hotel and Conference Centre in Abbotsford while Vancouver Canadians play-by-play voice Rob Fai serves as Master of Ceremonies.
Martinez has been involved with Major League Baseball in some capacity for nearly 50 years.
A former player who debuted in 1969 with the Kansas City Royals, Martinez logged 17 seasons and 1,049 games, also playing for the Milwaukee Brewers and Blue Jays.
Martinez managed the Jays through the 2001 season and part of 2002.
As a broadcaster, he started as a color commentator on TO broadcasts in 1987, working alongside notable play-by-play men Jim Hughson and Dan Shulman. He even lent his voice to a video game, teaming with Hughson in the 2001 version of EA Sports’ Triple Play Baseball.
From 2003-09 Martinez provided colour commentary on Baltimore Oriole broadcasts. He returned to the Jays fold in 2010, taking over play-by-play duties on Sportsnet.
Tickets for the February banquet are $150 each of $1200 for a table of eight.
The event will include live and silent auctions. Contract Sandra King at 604-614-6497 before Jan. 10 to purchase tickets.