Apr 10, 2019; Houston, TX, USA; MLB Network broadcaster Bob Costas answers questions during an interview prior to the game between the Houston Astros and the New York Yankees at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports Erik Williams
Hall of Fame broadcaster Bob Costas is ending his run as an MLB play-by-player, he told Andrew Marchand of The Athletic.
Costas is not retiring from media altogether, as he will continue in his gigs for MLB Network and CNN. But the 72-year-old — who has aged better than any human ever — will stop doing both the MLB Network and TBS postseason play-by-play work.
Marchand hears that Costas had decided to retire prior to the season, with his current contract wrapping up. That may well be true, but the iconic broadcaster was panned for his work during the New York Yankees-Kansas City Royals ALDS:
Bobby Witt Jr. turns ANOTHER double play! ⚡️ #ALDS pic.twitter.com/DIdq9ZFXl8
In recent years, Costas and his TBS partner, Ron Darling, have become something of a meme together:
Bob Costas- “On what is a beautiful evening for baseball, it is hard to ignore the fact that one day we will all take our last breath on this earth. Then every record of our existence will vanish into the vast expanse of our universe.”
Ron Darling- “Corner infielders playing in”
*shows baby on screen*
Bob Costas: “The mind still developing, she does not know all her life leads to the inevitable arrival of death”
*batter looks at strike 3*
Bob Costas: “Unless we too are seated at the Right Hand”
Ron Darling: “Went back to the cutter on 2-2”
— Seton Hall Student (@sacketology) October 14, 2022
bob costas: “we’re here in cleveland, where the slight autumn chill in the air is a bleak reminder of the chilling fact that each day we are all spiraling towards the unavoidable conclusion we call death”
ron darling: “i think he goes fastball here”
With that said, there were definitely times where Costas' quirky personality made for legitimately great content:
One of the greatest and most out of pocket broadcasting moments in baseball history. Thank you Bob Costas 🙏🏻 https://t.co/4gkao02u7S pic.twitter.com/G35xtwGMds
Costas called MLB games across four different decades. His best work probably came when he was the face of NBC's Olympic coverage from 1988-2016. He is — even if it might have been time to conclude his play-by-play career — one of the most successful media figures in American history.
