How did baseball fans respond to sports commentating legend Bob Costas’ return to MLB?
Sportscaster Bob Costas returned to the MLB to call an entire playoff series for the first time in more than two decades and he’s received mixed reviews.
Legendary sportscaster Bob Costas and his velvety voice have returned to the MLB to call an entire playoff series for the first time in more than two decades, and his performance has received mixed reviews from baseball fans.
The 70-year-old last did full duties for a postseason series in 2000 for the ALCS which aired on NBC. Then TBS recently announced that Costas and analyst Ron Darling would be calling the American League Division Series between the Cleveland Guardians and the New York Yankees.
Shane or Justin?
The biggest highlight of his return so far took place in Game 2 of the ALDS, when he mistakenly called Guardians pitcher Shane Bieber, Justin Bieber.
As expected, the Twitter universe was quick to react.
Classic mixup 😂
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 14, 2022
Bob Costas accidentally called @ShaneBieber19 Justin Bieber instead. #Postseason pic.twitter.com/eQmyJMSDZD
Bob Costas needs to leave the booth. He's just listing Justin Bieber songs in the ALDS tie game in the 6th. This man is lost
— Marty Mush (@martymush) October 14, 2022
Harsh words for Costas
The announcers were able to turn that mistake into an amusing moment at the broadcasting booth, but baseball fans minced no words as they critiqued other aspects of Costas’ work. Mostly, they commented on his verbosity, particularly when sharing baseball trivia. Some also mentioned that he did not seem very objective in his coverage.
Everyone when Bob Costas starts a soliloquy about a player from the early 1900s during a postseason game pic.twitter.com/KCN4XYFm57
— BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) October 14, 2022
I genuinely love playoff baseball as much as any other sport. Bob Costas ruined my entire experience tonight, shame on him.
— Lᴀᴡʀᴇɴᴄᴇ Tʏɴᴇs (@lt4kicks) October 12, 2022
Turning the volume down cus of Bob Costas and just listening to Hammy while watching this game. Can’t take this guy anymore
— Ernie Clement (@Ernieclem) October 14, 2022
Bob Costas: It's important to remember, that in 1902, "Iron Lung" Smithson was three outs away from a 182-pitch no-hitter.
— Joe (@JoeRiveraSN) October 12, 2022
*15 minutes later*
Unfortunately, he contracted tuberculosis, and died at the age of 26.
Ron Darling: Yeah.
Bob Costas’ love for New York in the playoffs is nothing new.
— John Sabol (@John_Sabol) October 14, 2022
Go watch the 90s Indians playoffs before Fox took over NBC’s postseason rights. It was bad then.
However, some may say it got worse with Joe Buck… #ForTheLand
In defense of the veteran broadcaster
However, some were happy to have him on air, not just for his voice but also for his insights.
Bob Costas calling baseball might be the most soothing thing I’ve ever heard.
— Ben Axelrod (@BenAxelrod) October 11, 2022
Bob Costas could talk about the most boring shit imaginable and I’d still be totally hooked
— Philly Sports Sufferer (Red October Arc) - x (@mccrystal_alex) October 11, 2022
What a pleasure listening to Bob Costas eloquently cruise us thru a major league playoff game with Ron Darling the perfect compliment
— MARK GIANGRECO (@mark_giangreco) October 11, 2022
Yankees vs. Guardians schedule
TBS is exclusively airing the 2022 American League Division Series, which has Costas, Darling, and reporter Lauren Shehadi as the broadcast team for the Yankees-Guardians showdown. Here is the schedule for the remaining games of this series.
| DATE | GAME | TIME | TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, Oct. 15 | Yankees at Guardians, Game 3 | 7:37 p.m. | TBS |
| Sunday, Oct. 16 | Yankees at Guardians, Game 4 | 7:07 p.m. | TBS |
| Monday, Oct. 17 (if necessary) | Guardians at Yankees, Game 5 | 7:37 p.m. | TBS |