Shulman joining Blue Jays' TV broadcast crew

TORONTO -- A familiar face will be joining the Blue Jays' broadcast crew next year as play-by-play veteran Dan Shulman has reached a two-year deal with Sportsnet.

Shulman will call "upwards of 30" games during each of the 2016 and '17 seasons alongside current broadcasters Buck Martinez and Pat Tabler. He also will continue to fulfill his obligations in the United States with ESPN.

For Shulman, it's a return to where it all began. The Toronto native started his career in nearby Barrie, Ontario, in 1990 before joining The Fan590 the following year. He was the Blue Jays' play-by-play man from 1995-2001, with Martinez as his partner in the booth.

"I'm thrilled to once again be calling Blue Jays games," Shulman said. "As someone who was born and raised and still lives in the [greater Toronto area], the opportunity to come back home is very exciting for me. I'm looking forward to being part of the Sportsnet team, alongside Buck, Tabby and all the other great people on the crew."

Shulman maintained his residency in the city even after leaving the Blue Jays' broadcast crew to take a job with ESPN. He recently worked the American League Championship Series between Toronto and Kansas City for ESPN Radio, and he is the primary voice of "Sunday Night Baseball."

According to Sportsnet, Shulman, Martinez and Tabler will form a three-man broadcast booth for select Blue Jays games. Shulman also will makes regular radio appearances on Sportsnet 590 The Fan and Sportsnet's television networks.

"Having hired Dan in 1995 for his first Blue Jays play-by-play role, it's great to have him back in the booth in Canada as part of our baseball broadcast team," Sportsnet president Scott Moore said.

"Following the unforgettable 2015 Blue Jays season, we can't wait for 2016 to go even bigger with our baseball coverage. There is no doubt that Dan is the ideal offseason acquisition to help us achieve this goal."