The Legendary Bob Costas Retires from MLB Play-by-Play

Certain broadcasters make a specific sport better when they are calling the plays.

In major league baseball, one of the names at the top of that list would be Bob Costas, who, unfortunately, has decided to call it quits.

The Legends

I cannot speak for all announcers, only the ones that I had the pleasure of listening to over the years. I can still remember being a young boy and sitting on the porch with my father or on the back patio with my brother-in-law, listening to baseball on the radio.

While I was no Yankees fan, I think most would agree that Mel Allen belongs atop the list. Jack Buck is another name, and there is apparently something in the family genes for this business because his son Joe Buck is taking down some big checks as a multi-sport play-by-play man.

I would be remiss if I did not mention Harry Caray, who was the legendary coke-bottled glasses-wearing announcer for the Chicago Cubs. How about Dick Enberg and his legendary “Oh My” line?

Curt Gowdy and Joe Garagiola are two more legends in the announcing world who enabled you to close your eyes and go to the game when they were on the TV or radio.

I grew up in Philadelphia, so Harry Kalas is among my top all-time announcers. I absolutely loved listening to Harry and Richie Ashburn, and I even had the pleasure of meeting him as an adult when I worked in the hotel industry and he was the host of an awards dinner at my property.

Al Michaels, Vin Skully, and Bob Uecker were always fun to listen to, especially Uecker, who had outrageous stories. Then there is Bob Costas… not my all-time favorite, but I loved listening to him during the game of the week or the playoffs when I could not hear Harry.

Play-by-Play Career

Costas started his career doing local radio in Syracuse, New York, then called games for the American Basketball Association. In the late 1970s, he called Chicago Bulls games.

In 1980, Costas was hired by NBC Sports, which put him in the national spotlight. Costas proved himself worthy of doing just about any sport, but he separated himself when calling MLB games and boxing matches.

His time behind the microphone was not without controversy. I can still remember him criticizing the Dodgers' offense in the 1988 World Series. The Dodgers heard it, too, inspiring them to roll over the Athletics in five games.

Time to Move On

Costas, now 72, announced this week that he would be moving on from MLB play-by-play.

This is definitely the right decision, as Costas has turned into an announcer who likes to reminisce rather than call the game in his old age. He has been getting torched during recent broadcasts, most recently for constantly referencing George Brett during the ALCS series.

Chris “Mad Dog” Russo was very critical of Costas for that as well as blowing a few calls, but that is not how he should be remembered behind the microphone, and Russo agrees, stating, “He’s gotten pounded. I don’t read the social media that much but I’m aware of what has been said. I feel bad for Bob because he’s a legend, he’s an all-timer, probably it bothers him.” I am sure it does, and I would wager it had a lot to do with his decision to step away from play-by-play.