Joe P looks at Broadcasters - Today - Costas

[westofyou]

http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/40001770/

Hope Thom reads this:

About two hours before the game begins, Costas writes down the lineups on a giant white cardboard scorecard. In today's iPad world, not many announcers still use the big scorecard, and not many scribble down little facts about each player. Costas does both. He writes down batting averages, home runs, interesting little details. The scorecard is something from the past. Costas does broadcast baseball with the old masters (Vin Scully and Jack Buck and Harry Caray and Ernie Harwell and others) firmly in his mind. Costas thinks there are things that have been lost in modern baseball broadcasting: subtlety; story telling; a genuine effort to allow the rhythm of the game to emerge without overpowering it with bustle and replay and sound.

That probably does not surprise you. People tend to think Costas’ sensibilities are of another time. He has been called a baseball traditionalist so often by now that he lacks the strength to argue about it.

"People will use me as a symbol of a kind of stuck-in-the-1950s fan who doesn't want anything to change," he says. "They will say, 'You know, people like Bob Costas think …' and often, the position I'm supposed to hold in these scenarios is something I strongly disagree with. Are there things that were better about baseball years ago? Certainly. Are there things that are better now? Unquestionably."

[Roy Tucker]

Watched his 10 pm show on NBCSports network last night. He interviewed Bobby Valentine to lead it off. Good stuff.

[cumberlandreds]

Costas has been and continues to be one of the best baseball announcers around. Most PBP guys could learn a lot from him. He does games just here and there for the MLB Network. I just wish he could find the time to do game just once a week for that network.

[dfs]

Originally Posted by cumberlandreds

Costas has been and continues to be one of the best baseball announcers around.

I'm sure you mean to add an "Other than Vin Scully" at the front of that. Positive you meant that.

[cumberlandreds]

Originally Posted by dfs

I'm sure you mean to add an "Other than Vin Scully" at the front of that. Positive you meant that.

Oh yea. I did say one of the best in my statement. Scully is still the best and Costas may be number two but just don't get to hear him enough.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Probably blasphemy...but I prefer Costas to Scully (and any other broadcaster). Not just with baseball either.

[redsfan30]

Listening to Bob Costas call a game is one of the little pleasures in life. I wish we could get to hear him do it more often.

[mattfeet]

Originally Posted by redsfan30

Listening to Bob Costas call a game is one of the little pleasures in life. I wish we could get to hear him do it more often.

I agree completely.

[GADawg]

i'll take blasphemy to the next level....I don't care to listen to Vin Scully at all. There I said it. He kinda annoys me...not to the George Grande level by any means but along a similar vein

[Dom Heffner]

It's too much Scully. I like another voice.

[westofyou]

Originally Posted by GADawg

i'll take blasphemy to the next level....I don't care to listen to Vin Scully at all. There I said it. He kinda annoys me...not to the George Grande level by any means but along a similar vein

He was better 30 years ago, my take is game one of a series he's good, lyrical etc... after that press notes

I see a lot if Dodger games, he's old but good still

[Superdude]

Originally Posted by GADawg

i'll take blasphemy to the next level....I don't care to listen to Vin Scully at all. There I said it. He kinda annoys me...not to the George Grande level by any means but along a similar vein

I'll join you. I've listened to a few of his games. I guess I see the appeal, but I wasn't a fan of his style personally.

[Red in Chicago]

Originally Posted by GADawg

i'll take blasphemy to the next level....I don't care to listen to Vin Scully at all. There I said it. He kinda annoys me...not to the George Grande level by any means but along a similar vein

Let's be honest. He sucks.

[Yachtzee]

My complaint when it comes to Costas is that he's spent too much time hanging with the Today Show crowd and will crack some lame jokes in the name of "witty banter." He can tell some real groaners. Other than that, he's great. I like announcers who can tell me something new.

[camisadelgolf]

Vin Scully reminds me of Bob Dylan. After all these years, he's still excellent, but it's just a matter of whether you can tolerate his voice or not.