Bob Costas is calling his first MLB playoff series in two decades, sitting in the booth for the Yankees-Guardians ALDS matchup this week. Fans got their first glimpse of the broadcaster on Tuesday in Game 1, and they’re already ready for the torture to end.
Viewers are dogging Costas for continually going off topic or taking unnecessary deep dives with stories he believes relate to the players on the field. More times than not, however, it just sounds like he likes to hear himself talk.
Co-host Ron Darling couldn’t get a word in, forcing fans to painfully listen to Costas’ every thought.
It takes a special balance to call a live game, particularly in baseball where the action can often be slow. Vin Scully was an artist in the booth, mixing in history with the play on the field and keeping listeners entertained no matter the score or situation.
Costas may be trying to emulate that, but it’s clearly not working.
Fans are counting down the days until they don’t have to hear Bob Costas calling MLB games.
Baseball viewers around the nation were united in these feelings towards Bob Costas. Many posted their reactions to Game 1 of the ALDS on social media.
They were not kind.
Me listening to Bob Costas pic.twitter.com/87foaa7hby
— Justin (@juicedballz) October 12, 2022
This fan wrote, “I genuinely love playoff baseball as much as any other sport. Bob Costas ruined my entire experience tonight, shame on him.”
I genuinely love playoff baseball as much as any other sport. Bob Costas ruined my entire experience tonight, shame on him.
— Lawrence Tynes (@lt4kicks) October 12, 2022
Another viewer commented, “Bob Costas doesn’t stop talking,” after having to listen to three hours of the broadcast on TBS.
Bob Costas doesn't stop talking.
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) October 12, 2022
Many felt like they were listening to their grandparents recounting the days of old, with one baseball fan saying, “I feel like I’m listening to a Ken Burns documentary. Call the game, I don’t care about Aaron Boone’s family tree and the 1948 Cleveland Indians.”
Holy shit Bob Costas I feel like I’m listening to a Ken Burns documentary. Call the fucking game, I don’t care about Aaron Boone’s family tree and the 1948 Cleveland Indians.
— Liam Wiley (@LiamWiley) October 12, 2022
Bob Costas announcing tonight pic.twitter.com/d4LjOaygNA
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) October 12, 2022
Thankfully, the game didn’t go into extra innings, or else we would’ve been forced to suffer through even more.
https://twitter.com/WillPresti/status/1580007790105350144?s=20&t=VVumNosyPPjXpH4iNuQOeA
Game 2 of the series takes place Thursday. Maybe Costas will tone it back a bit.