The knives have been out for Bob Costas through the ALDS, and Michael Kay thinks the hostility towards him has been excessive.
Costas has been on the decision alongside Ron Darling for TBS’ protection of the Yankees-Royals sequence, and the commentary on the enduring broadcaster has been vicious on social media.
Talking on Thursday to co-hosts Peter Rosenberg and Don La Greca on his eponymous present on ESPN New York and YES Community, Kay, the longtime Yankees play-by-play broadcaster, got here to Costas’ protection.
“I’ve by no means seen such vitriolic hatred towards a man,” Kay mentioned of Costas, as coated by Terrible Asserting.
“I’m not being hyperbolic, and also you guys may each appropriate me if I’m flawed. Bob Costas is among the best sports activities broadcasters that has ever lived. Alright? Now, for those who take heed to Bob Costas name a baseball sport, trigger he was the backup to [Vin] Scully, after which he took over the primary job [on NBC].
“For those who take heed to him name these video games then, he referred to as them the identical means then as he calls them now. Understated. Kinda instructing you as he goes alongside. All of that. I feel that the trade has modified. However to see these younger folks on social media eviscerating a broadcasting god. … You’ll be able to say, ‘Hey, I don’t just like the reduce of his jib, however he stinks.’ You’re out of your minds!”
La Greca responded that Costas is a broadcasting legend, however is extra often known as a studio anchor than for play-by-play.
“Let’s be truthful. Hear, I like Bob Costas, and I get together with Bob, and I like when he’s on. However his legend just isn’t for play-by-play,” La Greca mentioned.
“They consider him as a bunch. And he’s provocative… He referred to as video games within the NFL, however NFL followers know him. Olympics. You place a digicam in entrance of him, give him a microphone, he’s going to entertain you together with his tales, the behind-the-scenes, and the historical past. I don’t suppose he’s a legend for his play-by-play. I feel he does wonderful. I’m cool with him. However, Michael, you discuss he’s a broadcast legend, not for play-by-play. He’s completed it, however that’s not why he’s a legend.
“And numerous the followers which might be watching this, Michael, don’t know Bob Costas the best way we all know Bob Costas. Bob Costas has been working on the MLB Community for the final 20 years. Exterior of the Olympics… and a bit of little bit of soccer. He’s not within the [collective consciousness] the best way he was for us once we have been rising up. So I defend Bob. I consider him as an establishment. However for those who’re in your 20s, you’re going to guage him simply as a play-by-play man, and that’s not what made him a legend.”
Elsewhere, Chris “Mad Canine” Russo was not impressed with Costas’ efficiency in Sport 3 on Wednesday night time.
Russo joined Nick Kostos on “You Higher You Wager” on Audacy’s BetQL Community on Thursday and skewered TBS for its protection of the sport.
“I watched a George Brett documentary final night time and a baseball sport broke out — the previous Rodney Dangerfield line. I imply, what are they doing? And I like George, however jeez, six questions in the midst of a playoff sport? You recognize, Bob had a troublesome night time,” Russo mentioned.
“He blew the decision in left, the house run that he thought Choose hit, clearly, the underside of the eighth on the only and he thought it was a single and it was an out. He loves telling you the tales. We discovered so much about ballpark development with the foul territory final night time too, he introduced that up.
“You recognize, he’s introduced up, we all know sufficient concerning the 76-77 Yankees and Royals. Yeah, he’s gotten pounded right here. He’s gotten pounded. I don’t learn the social media that a lot however I’m conscious of what has been mentioned. I really feel unhealthy for Bob as a result of he’s a legend, he’s an all-timer, most likely it bothers him. Darling has to determine the place he suits in… however Bob I feel perhaps obtained to let the sport breathe a bit of bit.”