TORONTO (Ticker) -- Buck Martinez, a television color commentator for the team since 1987, today received a three-year contract to manage the Toronto Blue Jays.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

Martinez, a catcher for the Blue Jays from 1981-86, replaces Jim Fregosi, who was fired at the end of the season. Oakland Athletics bench coach Ken Macha also was a finalist for the position.

The Blue Jays also interviewed former players Ernie Whitt and Willie Upshaw, Milwaukee Brewers bench coach Jerry Royster and former Kansas City manager Hal McRae.

Also an analyst for ESPN since 1992, Martinez is the second broadcaster turned manager in five days. On Monday, the Arizona Diamondbacks named Bob Brenly, an analyst for Fox, to replace Buck Showalter.

Larry Dierker, manager of the Houston Astros, also was the team's broadcaster before taking over managerial duties in 1997.

"I hope the players are more open with me as a manager than they were when I was a broadcaster," Martinez quipped.

Martinez had been considered the frontrunner for the job. He was a finalist in Toronto in 1997, when the Blue Jays hired Tim Johnson.

"This is a marvelous opportunity," Martinez said. "I feel just the same as I did in 1976 (when he was with the Kansas City Royals) before we played the first game of the ALCS against the New York Yankees. George Brett and I were both dry-mouthed. He said, 'Are you nervous?' and I said 'Yes,' and he said, 'So am I.' This is the same enthusiasm and the same excitement."

With Martinez's appointment and Bob Boone named manager of the Cincinnati Reds today, all six managerial vacancies have been filled.

On Wednesday, the Philadelphia Phillies named former Seattle Mariners third base coach Larry Bowa to replace Terry Francona and the Los Angeles Dodgers promoted Jim Tracy, a bench coach for former manager Davey Johnson.

Last week, the Pittsburgh Pirates tabbed hitting coach Lloyd McClendon to succeed Gene Lamont.

Martinez said he believed the Blue Jays were on the verge of becoming a championship team again. The Blue Jays haven't been to the postseason since 1993 when they climaxed a two-year reign as World Series champions. Last year the team went 83-79 and was in contention for the American League East title into September but faded in the final weeks and finished four games behind the division champion Yankees.

"We're on the verge of some very upbeat times in Toronto," Martinez said. "This baseball organization is going to become what it was when I first got here. We grew into winners and the team eventually became champions. We intend to do that very soon."

Martinez has already picked most of his coaching staff. He named Mark Connor to the important job as pitching coach and picked an old teammate, Garth Iorg, to be the first base coach. Martinez said batting coach Cito Gaston, a former Blue Jays' manager, and third base coach Terry Bevington would remain in their current positions.

Connor is an important newcomer. He has spent the last three seasons as pitching coach of the Arizona Diamondbacks but was let go when Buck Showalter was fired as manager. He also has served as pitching coach for the Yankees form 1984 to 1987 and during the 1991 and 1992 seasons.

Aside from 20-game winner David Wells and closer Billy Koch, the Blue Jays' pitching staff underachieved last season. Fregosi's pitching coach, Rick Langford, failed to develop the talents of youngsters Chris Carpenter, Roy Halladay and Kelvim Escobar, whom Martinez believes are the cornerstones for the Blue Jays' future success.