Back in the MLB broadcast booth for TBS, Bob Costas has received decidedly mixed reviews for his performance throughout the ALDS, with critics annoyed by his long-winded, almost Shakespearean monologues with color analyst Ron Darling barely getting a word in edgewise. A skilled orator, Costas’ intelligence is without question, however, many would argue he hasn’t struck the right balance, too often “performing” instead of letting the action breathe. The best announcers pick their spots, knowing when to get out of the way when the game requires it. Costas has failed in that regard, contends former WFAN host Mike Francesa, distracting from what has otherwise been an entertaining series.
“Just got to get through one more game of Bob talking so much. I feel bad for Ron. Ron’s going to hear Bob in his sleep,” said Francesa on his post-game podcast Sunday night. “Listen, we all know that Bob Costas is a very talented announcer, a talented sportscaster. I’ve known him my whole adult life. But he has talked on and on and on this entire series about absolutely nothing, for the most part. I mean, please. Just give the game [Monday night] a chance to breathe.”
Francesa was similarly critical of Costas after Saturday’s Game 3, begging the play-by-play veteran to take a beat, standing down instead of feeding his obsessive need to fill every second of dead air with his unwanted musings, each anecdote more excruciating than the last.
“Everything’s a history lesson. We don’t need a history lesson every two seconds,” Francesa lamented. “You’ve squeezed this thing for all its life. It’s almost like Bob’s been locked away somewhere, just dying to talk and now you can’t shut him up. Because he just has not stopped talking for a second in the Yankees series.”
After Monday night’s rainout—the second postponement of the series—the Yankees will host the Guardians in Tuesday’s deciding Game 5 with the winner advancing to face top-seeded Houston in the ALCS. First pitch is scheduled for 4:07 PM ET with Nestor Cortes and Aaron Civale starting for New York and Cleveland, respectively.
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