Bob Costas talks about his decision to retire from play-by-play announcing

[@barrettwalker5294]

I could listen to Bob Costas call a game all day every day. An absolute master of his craft. Thank You Mr. Costas!

[@edwardmcmanus7496]

Integrity, passionate, diligent, fair, dedicated, fan. These are the words that come to mind when I think of Bob Costas. Major League Baseball should make him commissioner. Thanks Bob ! ⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️

[@davidrice3337]

What about the fact he knew all about steroids in baseball - but acts as if he didn't know - and criticizes the players - He was cashing checks - he is the ultimate hypocrite

[@J.B24]

I'm 43. My fondest memories of Bob is the NBA finals in the 90s, baseball games, and in particular the Ken Burns series "Baseball". I hope he's still active in baseball even if its just talking about baseball stories.

[@davidbehman4836]

I love Bob Costas and I loved hearing him call games. He is one of the greats in baseball broadcasting. What a fantastic historian and storyteller of the game.

[@jackolantern22]

Bob is great. The morons who hate on him are so clueless. I’ve been watching Bob since I was literally a little kid. I’m 49 now.

[@Johnfisher12345]

No, he WAS great. He held on way too long. Had he retired a decade or more ago, he wouldn’t have many haters.

[@MG-rg3jo]

His performance this year was embarrassing. He absolutely was great but the hate is quite justified. If you hang on to long this is what happens.

[@vernpascal1531]

@@MG-rg3jo hate for what?

[@nickrowat4461]

He’s impossible to work with, he wants to be vindicated scully so bad and just doesn’t have it.

[@jackolantern22]

@ nah, none of that is true.

[@hollow7029]

Legend

[@briangreenberg6021]

Costas was one of the best ever to call baseball play by play and one of the best historians of the sport. Thanks Bob.

[@Obiter3]

Oh, man, another classic baseball voice fades to the archives. You were fantastic, Bob Costas. 🏆

[@FrederickRH1]

Kudos to Bob Costas. Thanks for the memories.

[@derekgilbert2884]

Bob Costas thanks for hearing great voice play to play baseball you be miss it sad day we all have retired some time but enjoy your life with family. 😊😊😊😊

[@timothyflanigan1777]

as a kid that grew up in the 70's and 80's,Saturday Game of the Week as huge. i grew up on it. not until the early 80's that cable came in our area. there was also Monday Night Baseball,but nothing was like the Game of the Week.

[@sandranartowicz3368]

A legend. Another voice from my entire life who stoked my love for baseball.

[@johnyogaatthemovies]

Bob is such an encyclopedia and one of my favourite broadcasters growing up, all the best!!

[@jdfmfb03]

Costas was Top 5 could tell a story about a player in 5 seconds while the ball was in the air 👏💯👍

[@toddcauble4906]

Don't go😢😢😢

[@brandocalrissian3294]

Vin scully was the greatest

[@MrBimirud]

Bob Costas has been a divisive on-air personality since the 80s. I get why some find him annoying but I've always liked him. I love broadcasters who love the sport they're calling and Costas loves baseball.

[@DavidAnthony261]

I remember him doing the NBA finals absolutely incredible 💯 the guy could do any sport

[@alankaye]

Will miss Bob. He's great. I hope he still can do some Olympic events. Bob rocks ⚾️💥💥💥💙

[@joecaroselli5858]

Bob Costas is so knowledgeable. He really knows how to paint the baseball terrain with his vast understandingof history. Is there a bit of "show biz" in his approach? Yes, absolutely...you betcha... and what's wrong with that? I love Vin, of course. Jon Miller is a joy to listen to and brilliant; but my favorite baseball broadcaster of them all is Ernie Harwell. I think that I have pretty good taste in announcers, and I think that Bob Costas is a superb, engaging, highly prepared communicator. He knows the game. There is an appealing intelligence to his presentation.

[@dougowen9873]

Listening to Bob do play by play has always been an absolute joy for me, makes the games come alive, (even though that damned Sandberg did destroy my Cardinals that day at wrigley) great memories of his play by play, thanks Bob for being there, what a first class career.

[@markmurphy558]

As a Dodger fan, I am contractally required to consider Vin Scully the greatest ever, but for a non-affiliated announcer, Costas is the best of his generation.

[@paulromero1742]

I remember back in the late 70s as a little boy watching this week in baseball. After that, I listened and watched Bob Costas call the game getting up in the morning at 8 o’clock on a Saturday watching baseball for hours hoping he was the announcer. Absolutely one of the greats I’m sure of Vin Scully would crown him a champion

[@dealt]

That Vin Scully impersonation was spot on❤

[@stevecattani9545]

Really good!

[@MapleSyrupPoet]

Bob is a classic ⚾️ work long enough, you become a classic

[@moose3880]

Bob Costas, my favorite sports announcer !

[@mikebottiaux5850]

Truly, one of the Greats!

[@carlbenson6412]

I hope that you keep working Bob! On your terms man.

[@Fernando-tr7ki]

One of the greatest at his craft Bob You've done a great job for many years!! 2024 was a sad year we Lost a few great ones Mays P Rose. F Valenzuela

[@shackdaddy7106]

Bob Costas is one of the greatest sports broadcasters of all time. He still is excellent as an interviewer and an interviewee. His knowledge of sports especially baseball is second to none. All that being said his play-by-play skills definitely have diminished over the last five years. Now I am happy he is recognizing that and ending that part of his career. He still has a lot to offer.

[@dmtcb]

loved him during the 1985 ALCS royals bluejays!!!!

[@clifford7594]

What a guy. Whenever I see or hear him, my heart goes aflutter.

[@Nammm37]

Great play-by-play broadcaster of the 80's & 90's for sure. Recently, he's been rough when covering baseball. He definitely still posseses a great sports commentary voice & his Mickey Mantle eulogy was so good!

[@MrBimirud]

I wonder if some of the criticism Costas got this season wore on him. Even Costas has admitted Vin Scully would have gotten roasted today for calling games in such a deliberate style. Times have changed and baseball broadcasters are expected to bring energy and a fast-paced style. I get it but it's sad to see him go.

[@shaneoc6575]

If there was one definite part of broadcasting that he was good at was being the pre game and studio guy he had the voice and the aura in a way and some older folks watching this correct me if I'm wrong but the aura of a Jim McKay where it's simply whatever he said you listened because of his distinctive voice

[@joemcparland109]

One of The Best You Will Be Missed

[@ShyGuyLoveSongs]

Very good interview. I noticed he had slipped a bit, lost track of the game periodically, thought a ground ball was a hit when the 2nd basemen had it in the playoffs, etc…he is so self aware , he knew it was time to step aside. Great guy , much respect.

[@karlandang]

Bob Costas is the voice I hear when I close my eyes and imagine ball games of the past. A true class act.

[@donaldcasalone4243]

As someone from STL, who has seen Mr. Costas evolve from Spirits of St. Louis ABA Basketball and Sports and Non-Sports projects at KMOX, all I can say is Bless You, Bob, and all the best. You have certainly been a blessing to broadcasting and STL!

[@amonrodriguez3518]

Forget the haters Bob! I’ll listen to you over Joe Buck and Ian eagle anyday

[@darrinthurston3308]

Joe has gotten better over the years but now he does exclusively NFL.

[@JackRice007]

@@darrinthurston3308 I almost wish he still did the World Series

[@darrinthurston3308]

@@JackRice007 I won't mind if Buck did ESPN baseball on select Sunday nights and Wildcard games if they allowed him to do them

[@amonrodriguez3518]

@@darrinthurston3308 well I’ll take any one over corn bread corny guy who does it now should only do little league World Series. I would take buck over him

[@jimfrisk688]

i think todays fans think you should get excited over each and every play in a game, and scream at the top of your lungs. if you dont, you arent liked. So the Bob Costas are gone. Now these fans want Al Michaels gone.

[@WalterParrett-i2e]

Bob Costas and Jim Kaat my favorite baseball pairing.Just as Kitty has called it a day, so to now has Bob; comes a time. But stay involved, your input and documentary capabilities are still desired. Soldier oñ please for the lot of us. Thanks!

[@TARugg]

I always found Bob Costas with his endless and eloquent rambling during a baseball game BRUTAL to listen to. Storytelling has no place in the play-by-play announcing of a live baseball game.

[@FactorD3]

I am so sorry to see him retire and I am not sure if it was because of the criticism against him recently. He is a very good, talented and professional player-by-play commentator. His legacy is alive in the hearts of us who started watching him in the 90s.

[@jamesanthony5681]

Bob was paired with Tony Kubek on NBC in the '80's, and Costas wasn't afraid to challenge Kubek on some of the things he said. It was pretty obvious Tony didn't like that.

[@StanKelly-eg5cf]

You will be missed Bob Costas. Hopefully you will make cameos!

[@FanOfTheEarth20]

Enjoy the added freedom Bob! You can quickly find new ways to enjoy your time, when you embrace it and not see it as a loss from something you have done for many years and at the highest level. It's a brand new chapter and the only way to have success in a new chapter is to turn the page on the way things use to be, look forward to tomorrow and to the new opportunities it provides you.

[@TheMr02drop]

People who hated on Costas during this years playoffs are total morons. He's one of the best announcers ever and I'd only put a handful above him all time.

[@SolaceEasy]

Bob Costas was an exceptional national baseball broadcaster, which is extremely rare. I am a San Francisco Giants fan, and our broadcasters are in the Hall of Fame. I know what good is.

[@n0lanv0id]

What a bummer. The social media trashing on this legend was unfounded.

[@Johnfisher12345]

No it wasn’t. He once was a great broadcaster. But everyone has to retire some time when their skills erode away, and for Bob that time was ten or more years ago. Had he retired then, he wouldn’t have many haters.

[@cfishel15]

Nope, it was unfounded. Another sad example of society not respecting its elders.

[@Johnfisher12345]

@cfishel15 Nope. Everyone grows old and loses the ability to perform at a level worthy of their task at hand. The fact that someone is old does not automatically mean they are still competent to perform at a task they once excelled at. This mindless idea that old age automatically grants you lifetime immunity to criticism is a lot of the reason why we have so many problems in the leadership in this country in particular, but it’s true in all facets of life. Everyone reaches a point where it’s time to step down. It’s different for every person, but it was unquestionably in years past for Costas.

[@Johnfisher12345]

@cfishel15 I can only assume you are old yourself and unwilling to admit that people’s abilities decline as they age. This is universally true. You don’t hear anyone hating on Vin Scully’s later broadcasting years, because he didn’t decline the way Costas did. The same could be said of Bob Eucker, Jon Miller, Lon Simmons, numerous others. You have to accept that some people decline faster than others, and when it’s time, it’s time. You have to let go.

[@sanford943]

who ever said he should have quit ten years ago is nuts. He was only 62. Plenty of great announcers were still announcing into their 70's and 80's Some of them like Harry Carey should have quite. But he was beloved in Chicago and he had Steve Stone next to him. Uecker is 90 and still going strong although he announced way fewer games this year. But we love him here. No doubt he has probably lost some off his fastball. He wouldn't know what to do if he didn't have baseball.

[@KayakerDude-cw1kk]

I felt he was a homer for the Yanks and had favorites - His voice gave it away. My favorite was Tim McCarver but I still wish this dude the best - Like me he loves baseball which makes him okay in my book

[@jorgejohnson451]

Announcers are remembered for signature calls or phrasing. “Do you believe in miracles,” etc. Aside from “a deep fly to center caught by the shortstop,” it’s difficult to recall a Costas’ call. That said, Costas had a verbose style he borrowed from Vin Scully that was copied by many. Congratulations, Bob. You pulled it off.

[@TMC1982Part2]

Not that it's the absolute definitive or signature Bob Costas play-by-play call, but I would immediately bring up his call of Edgar Renteria's game winning hit in Game 7 of the 1997 World Series: "A liner, off of Nagy's glove, into centerfield! The Florida Marlins have won...the World Series!"

[@1paulgood]

Yep he’s a fraud

[@TMC1982Part2]

Bob Costas also did Game 5 of the 1999 NLCS between the Mets and Braves, where Robin Ventura after 15 innings, hit a game winning "Grand Slam Single" for the Mets: "A drive to right...back to Georgia! Gone...a grand slam!"

[@brycechristensen2296]

Pretty good Vin Scully impression.

[@jamesanthony5681]

Yes it was.

[@NyckulasLowe]

Congrats, Mr. Costas! That Vin Scully story literally gave me chills

[@Connor-k5g]

Happy retirement Bob.

[@TheAaronetic]

Always enjoyed listening to this man's play by play, especially during the NBA on NBC broadcasts with Doug Collins. I also liked seeing him on HBO Boxing PPVs whenever he showed up. Godspeed, Bob Costas!

[@sside8]

Have always liked Bob Costas. He is a very baseball knowledgeable person. Sad to see him retire.

[@andyresnik9443]

That was an amazing impersonation of Vin Scully.

[@seeseemun4528]

Bob was tremendous. Enjoyed his play - By - Play.

[@kunjiklub]

Bob is extremely quick witted and delivered it with the temperance of a baseball announcer. When he wanted to get the most out of an interview, they never stood a chance.

[@taddeot9252]

No one loves Bob Costas more than Bob Costas. Much better out there.

[@jamesanthony5681]

Who?

[@calva221]

Amazing Vin Scully impression!

[@GalvTexGuy]

He made it look easy. That’s greatness.

[@dbags317]

the dye jobs on these guys

[@gooddaysahead1]

Rugs?

[@jricoc3475]

What Costas, and really everyone born before 1985 or so has to realize is that you can't be a part-time MLB PBP guy anymore. Prior to '90s expansion and later, daily Interleague play, a good broadcaster or fan of a team had to know the personnel of nine or eleven other teams. If you were adventurous, you might know the stars from "other league". Teams could play an entire season using 12 or few pitchers. Now teams use more than that in a three-game series. The PBP guy has to know who these guys are. And the Elephant in the Room is that these national guys show up to do MLB postseason games, but they also know the names of the Chiefs wide receivers, or the Lakers' backcourt, or the Gold-Medal Olympian swimmer, or the Over/Under of the upcoming Furman v. Alabama game. None of which helps when a reliever comes in and the announcer has never seen the movement or variety of his pitches ...

[@TMC1982Part2]

I remember when baseball returned to NBC in 1994 after CBS held the network contract for the previous four years. Bob Costas had officially become the main baseball play-by-play announcer after being Vin Scully's backup previously. By the time that he was working with Joe Morgan and Bob Uecker, Costas really was a part-time MLB play-by-play guy. That isn't necessarily his fault, it was just the way that NBC's contract was structured and other circumstances beyond his or their control. In 1994, NBC's very first baseball telecast in about four and a half years, was the All-Star Game from Pittsburgh. That unfortunately, turned out to be NBC's only baseball telecast for the year due to the strike. NBC was supposed to formally start their "Baseball Night in America" coverage (as part of the original "Baseball Network", a joint venture between NBC, ABC, and MLB) in late August. And even then, NBC was only scheduled to air a paltry six regular season games. And said games weren't even for a national audience unlike on the old "Game of the Week". And after The Baseball Network dissolved following the 1995 World Series (a World Series in which Costas did play-by-play for only three out of the six games due to NBC having to share the coverage with Al Michaels and ABC), NBC's next contract with MLB didn't even call for them to broadcast regular season games. So NBC's baseball coverage from 1996-2000, only called for them to air postseason games (three Division Series games, one League Championship Series, and the World Series in odd numbered years) as well as the All-Star Game in even numbered years.

[@williammouri1096]

Costas is fantastic. I hope this isn't the beginning of a more serious mental decline. I still think he is better than most. Wishing the best for him.😊

[@lobal2]

Always liked costas. What was people's issue with him?

[@GDavis49]

The occasional arrogance and I’m smarter than you attitude

[@petercena9497]

Not to mention he started bombarding us with his political views.

[@dougmilesmedia]

Bob's talent was never as a play by play guy. He's a great studio host.

[@danteti6422]

Cool they let him “retire” instead of not being asked to do the ALDS again. It was time

[@nrohr55]

Costas keeps talking about the Gibson HR having two good calls (which it did!), but really, it was more like four. Drysdale had a great call on Dodgers radio, and Bill King's call (though not quite where the others where), was really good too. \

[@TMC1982Part2]

If you go to Joshua Suchon's KZbin channel right now, he has both Don Drysdale and Bill King's calls of Kirk Gibson's home run.

[@stingrey1571]

costas is a legend. however he was emblematic what is wrong with baseball. too many times during a game, costas would reference the past. it is good to provide historical context. however if you do it too much, it subliminally sends the message the ongoing game in front you doesnt matter. everything yesterday is better. you can celebrate the past, just dont revel and dwell on it.

[@John_Smith777]

this might be hard for young fans to believe, but bob was a great play by play man in my early adulthood of the 80's and 90's. then i remember tuning into a mlb network game a few years ago, and couldn't believe how far he had fallen off. fast forward to this post season, and he was simply insufferable. i'm quite sure he heard his evisceration all over social media, which no doubt led to this (correct) decision. thanks for the memories bob.

[@sammysliver]

Bob Costas is a National Treasure.

[@alistairarchibald1312]

this makes me very very sad. Bob Costas is Baseball like Vin Scully was

[@michael028]

It’s called the woke mind virus Bob. That’s what’s done the damage.

[@TMC1982Part2]

It's too bad that Bob Costas was already gone from NBC when NBC Sports did their MLB Sunday Leadoff program for the Peacock streaming service from 2022-23. I really think that there would've been a greater incentive to want to watch that despite the paywall had Costas been there. It would've at the very least, given that show much more credibility. I mean, it was great to see a baseball game on NBC for the first time in over 20 years even if it was a one time deal (usually on the day after the Kentucky Derby), but it would've been far more special had Bob Costas been announcing it.

[@pandersonnike]

I did feel like Bob as a play by play has lost some spark. But when it's an interview, or a documentary, he still has it. I hope we get to hear him talk about baseball since interviews like this are amazing to listen too.

[@rj-vj8gr]

1 of the goats at his craft.

[@A.C.T1997]

He used to be so good but he was so boring broadcasting the Royals/Yankees series.

[@knightoriole1]

The line at the end is so good. It’s what you hope to do as a broadcaster.

[@vancedurbin1132]

Mantle's OPS numbers were still good from 1965-1968 despite his batting average dipping. Mantle made the right decision by retiring after 1968.

[@gabrielvazquez1691]

He has forever left his mark on the game and he's earned every bit of his retirement. We will miss him, but more than anything we appreciate every moment he gave us.

[@city_guy]

Bob Costas is a national treasure. what a legendary broadcaster who brought a cerebral approach to the national pastime. put him on the HOF immediately.

[@TMC1982Part2]

Bob Costas is already in the Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the broadcaster's wing (the Ford Frick Award in other words) of the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018.

[@davewebbtheauthor]

I'm sure he'll be invited back into the booth every so often to share a story or some insight. Please replace him with Brian Anderson. He is great during the MLB postseason.

[@InChristalone737]

Loved Bob as an announcer. Hated it when he interjected his politics.

[@conedawg1982]

Bob Costas was a legendary voice. One thing I’ll always remember is how Costas had the ability to make a corny joke and the way he said it made it sound super serious. Also, during the 1998 NBA Finals when Dennis Rodman went after a loose ball and almost took him out.

[@ronaldsiegel1937]

Always was a fan of Costas calling games. He knows the game inside and out and these kids never appreciated his wit and passion for the game!!

[@Spaceman1968]

Buck says in the Gibson walk off that the Tigers win. An obvious nod to Gibson's previous team.

[@jddeefo1022]

I've listened to and watched Gibson's home run and catch in left field over and over again, I've never seen or listened to another catch or home run that was so fun to watch and listen to.

[@juanreyesjr580]

When I was boy Bob Costas voice over a baseball game was a treat to listen too. However Bob this past post season you sound out dated and I don’t want to be rude more than I may have already been . So thanks for the moments since 1996 till now for myself.

[@arenna66]

Yankee fan here. I will miss you Bob. You were always neutral and fair. The only one better then you was Vin.

[@bingham7957]

Oh - He isn't broadcasting anymore? Hadn't noticed.

[@brandonmorris92]

We'll miss you Bob! 🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@robertzemke375]

Better than most baseball announcers who just talk and talk and talk

[@DJLemontv]

Bob was always there as a kid now an adult. He is the last of his kind. I'm sad to see him retire

[@TheEllsworth8]

Did Bob get a facelift? Something looks off. He was the voice of my childhood, and hope he gets some proper care.

[@KenOnStrength]

Bob is 72 years old. Seemed to have aged overnight.

[@TMC1982Part2]

I don't think that it's so much a facelift as it's just Bob is really starting to show his age at this point. In other words, I can kind of tell that he's a 72 year old man now with the greying temples, the crow's feet, and sagging neck.

[@GDavis49]

He’s definitely had some work done over the years

[@TMC1982Part2]

@@GDavis49 I did once read or heard a rumor that Bob's infamous pink eye episode at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia was caused by a bad reaction to Botox.

[@KenOnStrength]

Bob Costas - America’s moral authority on everything.

[@MarkG-ut8hq]

No kidding..completely overrated as an announcer..he may do a vin Scully impersonation but he is MILES away from him in ability..he's the Jenny Cavnar of MLB network..unlistenable

[@vernpascal1531]

Because he actually had a social conscience and tremendous knowledge you make a snarky comment like that?

[@KenOnStrength]

@ - Now let's go down to the field where Bob Costas has an update on how much smarter he is than you are.

[@GDavis49]

@@KenOnStrengthexactly 😂

[@danacoleman4007]

including your mom

[@20marzboy]

Costas is a legend

[@simondaughtry4619]

Great commentator....always enjoyed his spirit and factual data.... but his TDS is a bit much....

[@Josh-pf9qx]

Always loved him until he called the Yankees series. He was hating so hard.

[@marcoortiz8046]

Rosenthal, Verducci, Costas, Al Michaels, Joe Buck, with their bubble life of elitism, big words, attempt at poetry, are so F'in tired. Baseball, football, basketball, hockey are working people's sports. The arrogance and point dexter vocabulary don't add to the games, neither do Verducci and Rosenthal's in game dug out interviews. Tom literally told Aaron Boone as he was doing a game time interview, after they just watched Aaron Judge hit a World Series home run, 'What a way to be interrupted" NOT Sorry to interrupt Judges homerun with this interview but the other way around, like we were there to watch him and bow tie cover the game. Each and everyone of them is condescending to the average fan.

[@jamesanthony5681]

Big words?? What big words? Those over 2 syllables?

[@brucewayne3602]

much 2 2 2 soon Bob ... must be a reason to continue !!!

[@Hardball247]

He is setting himself to make a run at the Commissioner's job.

[@yankeechicken61]

Gifted announcer. Crappy politics that he doesn’t keep to himself.

[@Mr99Burns]

Bob Costas good man anti dictator like putin and he spoke up not like most