Toronto Blue Jays color commentator Buck Martinez didn’t mince words during Tuesday night’s broadcast, delivering a candid assessment of the New York Yankees that sparked a buzz across baseball social media.
During the seventh inning of Sportsnet’s coverage of the Blue Jays’ thrilling 4-3 extra-innings victory over the Houston Astros, Martinez shifted gears from discussing the AL East competition to offer a critical view of Toronto’s fierce rival.
“The Yankees, they’re not performing well as a team,” Martinez stated. “Despite their record, they struggle with wild pitches, defensive errors, and base running. Without hitting home runs, their chances of winning are slim.”
Martinez’s remarks came as the Yankees suffered a tough 12-2 defeat against the Detroit Tigers, while the Blue Jays’ comeback win extended their division lead over New York to three games.
With this victory, the Blue Jays reached an 83-61 record, while the Yankees dropped to 80-64. Toronto’s dominance over New York this season, winning the series 8-5, was highlighted by a memorable four-game sweep at Rogers Centre in July, marking the team’s first such accomplishment against the Yankees in a decade.
This latest episode in the Jays-Yankees rivalry unfolds against a backdrop of tensions that have spilled beyond the baseball field into the media realm. Previous clashes between Yankees play-by-play announcer Michael Kay and Sportsnet host Jamie Campbell further fueled the competitive fire.
Despite the Yankees’ respectable standing, their struggles with defense and offensive consistency without relying on home runs have been evident. In contrast, the Blue Jays have excelled in tight games and demonstrated a knack for come-from-behind victories.