Buck Martinez was acknowledged as one of the top defensive backstops during a fine 17-year major league career. Buck Martinez who made his big-league debut, at age 20, with the Kansas City back in 1969. Known for his intelligence, he kept a book on opposing batters. He said, "I realize it takes only three hours to play this game, but it takes two hours of preparation." "He knows the hitters and can steal a pitch," said big John Mayberry, a former Royal teammate. "You watch it go by And know it's a ball, but Buck can make it look like a strike." "The highlight of my career was in the playoffs in 1976 while playing for the Royals," Martinez recalled with a gleam. "Coming down the stretch we had a terrible losing streak and everybody was saying we didn't have enough to put it away. I hit a two-run homer off Frank Tanana to beat the California Angels. Then I hit .333 in the playoffs. We lasted the full five games against the New York Yankees, and nobody even thought we were supposed to be there." I

In 1977 Martinez was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers and then traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in 1981. A lifetime .225 hitter, he had a career offensive year in '79 - hitting .270 in 196 at bats while with the Brewers. And showed power in 1983, with the Blue Jays - lining 14 doubles, 10 homers, .253 batting in 221 at bats. In July of 1985, Martinez suffered two broken legs while tagging out runners at home plate. He retired after the next season and later became a broadcaster for the Blue Jays. Baseballhistorian.com