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A rookie again.(Buck Martinez, Toronto Blue Jays manager)(Interview)
After 31 years as a player and broadcaster, Buck Martinez is starting over in the big leagues. His first lesson as Blue Jays manager: You can play only one third baseman at a time.
It's the eighth inning of the opener in San Juan, Puerto Rico, one out and the Blue Jays ahead, 8-1, and breezing. Buck Martinez decides to make a pitching change. He walks to the mound. The infielders are there, waiting for him.
"Congratulations," says first baseman Carlos Delgado.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Martinez asks. "This game isn't over yet."
"No," Delgado says. "Congratulations for coming onto the field for the first time."
Martinez is in his first game as a manager, and the toughest decision he has to make is whether to use setup man Kelvim Escobar and closer Billy Koch with a seven-run lead. Nothin' to it.
One day into the season, and the rest of the American League East is looking up at his Blue Jays. This is why Martinez wanted to be a manager.