Why do people like Bob Costas?
 

The Yankees / Royals series is mercifully over and Bob Costas will disappear from my television screen once more.

What did anyone ever like about this guy? He did not have one interesting story to tell over the four games played, despite having a lifetime in sports, and he might be an even bigger water boy type than Mike Greenberg.

How did he become such an esteemed sports guy?

I don't get the Costas hate. Sure, he says some silly things sometimes, but I could listen to him and his old school cadence all day. Compared to most broadcasters today I think he's great.

But what do you like about him? He didn't tell one single interesting story or have any anecdotes about a lifetime spent around sports. He was talking about the Ken Burns documentary last night. That documentary was released in 1994.

It seemed like maybe he lost touch with baseball in 1994 too. He couldn't tell you anything interesting since and I don't really want to listen to a guy who has become out of touch with the present game during a hugely important postseason series.

Hmmmm, no sir, I don't like him.

Condescending 'all knowing twit'.

But that is JMHO.

Butch Turner

I never got it. Vin Scully he ain't. He does have a nice delivery and manner though. As he's always on those list of great announcers, I do have a photo of him.

I didn't watch the whole KC/Yankees series, but when I did, I was fine with Costas. At least the guy is knowledgeable about the game and clearly has a passion for it. He may talk a little too much, but not compared with guys like John Smoltz, who never shut up.

Of course, everything pales in comparison with the Mets' booth of Gary Cohen, Keith Hernandez and Ron Darling. It was nice to see Ron Darling getting postseason air time as Costas' partner. Thought it was a decent team.

I like the way he calls the action. Very direct, matter-of-fact, very little manufactured hype. Like I said, old school. I agree that he doesn't seem to be as up on the current game as he could be.

I watched the Yankees-Royals games with the tv sound muted and listened to the radio stream of one of the teams.

I usually do this with all national broadcast games.

Nothing against Costas but he does not add any thing to the broadcast for me.

Mike

Tries so freakin' hard to be dramatic in every utterance. The bit with Stanton's inability to run the bases was just too much.

This has been a running Bob Costas gag on Twitter for some time. I find it both on point and hysterical.

IMO, He is a terrible play-by-play guy. Very arrogant. Thinks everything he says is a pearl of wisdom that nobody else knows.

Feels entitled in much the way 'slip' Carey did while in Atlanta.


I sure am glad someone invented the mute button.


Play-by-Play guys don't add enough that I can see for myself to make them worthwhile.

Vin Scully was the sole exception in my opinion.
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I've always like Costas, but I do think he's slipped a bit in his old age.

Feels a bit strange even saying that, as his schtick has always been of the over-eager, over-enthusiastic little kid in gym class, who's maybe not that talented himself, but loves what he's "trying" to do.

I guess, much like myself and most of us "Sports Nerds", who are involved in the collectibles world.

Maybe, that's why he's slipped. It was never really his eloquence or gravitas or improvised soliloquies that attracted people to his delivery. It was mostly his enthusiasm...and he seems to have lost that quite a bit.

If the series is super important.... which it sort of isn't.
Maybe focus on the game instead of stories?

Stories are mostly for those games where one team or the other is hopeless and people need a distraction.
Of for the off season speaking circuit.

I disagree. If you're watching the game on television already, the game is already unfolding before your eyes. What adds flavor to what you're seeing is the added commentary from interesting personalities who have something more to say than what is happening.

Interesting take. When I'm watching a game, the last thing I want is "interesting personalities"... I just want to hear a straightforward account of what's happening (play-by-play) and minimal commentary from someone who can add their insight on what's happening. This is why the Mets booth is the best in the business and John Smoltz is the absolute worst. (Is there no one at Fox who can pass him a note saying "shut the f*** up" once in awhile?)

But Costas does none of those things either. He rambles on about events from 20 to 30 years ago and doesn't seem to even know some player's names.

At least the Costas haters got their wish: he's out for the ALCS.

Earlier this season there was a random game on FS1 or one of those off networks. Rays vs someone. For 2 or 3 innings there was a problem with the audio from the booth announcers.
It was beautiful! Just the sounds of the game. No blah blah. No crazy split screens with exit velocities and launch angles either. Just the simple game - nothing more. The letdown came 20 minutes later and I turned the channel.
Found it:
https://awfulannouncing.com/fox/fs1-...gers-game.html