Bob Costas has had an illustrious broadcasting career. Although the 72-year-old is no longer calling the biggest games of the year, he harbors no resentment towards those who have taken over his roles. Recently, he announced his retirement from calling Major League Baseball games, marking an end of an era after nearly fifty years in the booth. Nevertheless, he will still contribute to MLB Network as a host and analyst, maintaining his presence in the sport.
A familiar voice to American sports fans for decades, Costas covered numerous events including the World Series, NBA Finals, many Super Bowls, and a record 12 Olympic Games. Today, broadcasters like Mike Tirico, Joe Buck, and Joe Davis have taken up those significant roles. In a recent episode of the Sports Media Watch Podcast, Costas reflected on his career when asked if he misses calling major events such as the World Series. He shared his honest sentiments: “You know, this is very honest on my part. I’ve just never had that feeling.” He clarified that while he occasionally thinks about what he might have said in various situations, he does not feel resentment about not being there.
Costas elaborated, “I know there are some people in the business, I hope it’s a minority, who root not only for their own success, but they resent the success of others. I’ve never had a thimble’s worth of that feeling ever. I’m happy for other people’s success. How does that diminish me in any way? If Joe Buck excels or if Mike Tirico thrives, how does that reflect negatively on me? It reflects positively on him, and I applaud that.” He emphasized the importance of legitimate self-confidence, noting that true self-awareness allows individuals to recognize what distinguishes them from their contemporaries. Costas recognizes his unique approach to sports broadcasting, which included a more journalistic style and an essayist’s perspective alongside traditional play-by-play coverage, distinguishing him from the likes of Al Michaels, Jim Nance, and others.
Regarding his thoughts while watching recent World Series games, he shared, “Honestly, my first thought was, ‘Wow, what a great World Series,’ and my second thought was, ‘Hey, Joe [Davis is] doing a great job.’” You can listen to Costas’s full appearance on the podcast here.
