Bob Costas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bob Costas
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Costas in 2014
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| Born |
Robert Quinlan Costas
March 22, 1952 New York City, U.S.
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| Education | Syracuse University (did not graduate) |
| Occupation | Sportscaster |
| Years active | 1973–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Carole Krummenacher
(m. 1983; div. 2001)Jill Sutton
(m. 2004) |
| Children | 2 |
Robert Quinlan Costas (born March 22, 1952) is a famous American sportscaster. He is well-known for his long time working with NBC Sports, from 1980 to 2019. He has won 28 Emmy awards for his amazing work. He was also the main host for 12 Olympic Games, from 1988 to 2016. Today, he works for TNT Sports and MLB Network. He calls baseball games and hosts shows. He also shares his thoughts on CNN.
Contents
Early Life and School
Bob Costas was born in New York City. His father was Greek, and his mother was Irish. He grew up in Commack, New York. He went to Commack High School South.
He studied at Syracuse University but left in 1974. Costas got his first radio experience at WAER. This was a student-run radio station. Later, he started a scholarship at his old school. The first person to get it was Mike Tirico in 1987.
Broadcasting Career
Starting Out
Costas began his career calling Missouri Tigers basketball games. He also co-hosted a call-in radio show. He then called games for the Chicago Bulls on TV during the 1979–1980 NBA season.
Working at NBC Sports
In 1980, Bob Costas joined NBC. He was 28 years old at the time. The head of NBC Sports, Don Ohlmeyer, joked that Costas looked like he was 14.
For many years, Costas hosted NBC's National Football League (NFL) coverage. He also hosted their National Basketball Association (NBA) coverage. He also called play-by-play for NBA and Major League Baseball (MLB) games. Later, he hosted an interview show called Costas Tonight.
Boxing Coverage
On March 30, 2015, Costas joined Marv Albert and Al Michaels for a boxing event. This was for NBC's PBC on NBC series. Costas was a special reporter for the event in Brooklyn. He shared stories about the history of boxing in New York City.
Golf Tournaments
Costas hosted NBC's coverage of the U.S. Open golf tournament. He did this from 2003 to 2014.
Major League Baseball
For baseball games, Costas worked with different experts. These included Tony Kubek and Joe Morgan. One of his most famous calls was on June 23, 1984. This game is known as "The Sandberg Game". Costas was calling the game between the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals.
In that game, Ryne Sandberg hit two home runs late in the game. These helped the Cubs tie the game twice. When Sandberg hit the second home run, Costas famously said, "Do you believe it?!" The Cubs went on to win in extra innings.
In the 1988 World Series, Costas made a comment that angered the Los Angeles Dodgers. He said their lineup might be the weakest in World Series history. This comment actually motivated the Dodgers. They ended up winning the series 4–1.
Costas also filled in for Vin Scully during the 1989 National League Championship Series. Scully was sick with a sore throat. Costas flew from Toronto to Chicago to help out. Then he flew back to Toronto for his other game.
Costas hosted pre-game and post-game shows for the NFL and World Series. He started calling play-by-play for the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in 1994. He called the 1995 World Series when NBC shared coverage. In 1997, he called the entire World Series. He won an Emmy Award for his play-by-play work.
In 1999, Costas called two games for ESPN. He worked with Joe Morgan. On August 3, 2019, Costas called a double-header for the YES Network. He filled in for Michael Kay.
On October 7, 2021, Turner Sports announced Costas would host their NLCS coverage. On October 31, 2024, Costas announced he was retiring from calling MLB play-by-play. His last game was in the 2024 American League Division Series.
NASCAR Racing
In November 2017, Costas co-hosted NBC's pre-race show for the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series finale. He also interviewed Dale Earnhardt Jr., who was racing for the last time.
National Basketball Association
Costas was NBC's main play-by-play announcer for NBA games from 1997 to 2000. During this time, he called three NBA Finals. This included the 1998 Finals, which set a record for TV ratings. He worked with Isiah Thomas and Doug Collins. After 2000, Marv Albert took over as the main announcer.
Costas had also hosted NBC's pre-game show, NBA Showtime. He would fill in for play-by-play when needed. He later co-hosted the 2002 NBA Finals coverage. This was NBC's last NBA Finals for a while.
Professional Football
Costas started as a play-by-play announcer for the NFL. In 1984, he became the studio host. He stayed in this role until 1992.
NBC Sports allowed Costas to avoid covering the XFL. He often spoke against the league. In 2006, Costas returned to host NBC's new Sunday Night Football pre-game show. His nickname is "Rapping Roberto."
Olympics (1988–2016)
Costas was the main host for many Olympic Games broadcasts for NBC. These included the Summer Olympics in Seoul in 1988, Barcelona in 1992, Atlanta in 1996, Sydney in 2000, Athens in 2004, Beijing in 2008, London in 2012, and Rio in 2016. He also hosted the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City in 2002, Torino in 2006, and Sochi in 2014.
Costas has spoken about his work on the Olympics in a book. He was inspired by the famous ABC Sports broadcaster Jim McKay. McKay hosted many Olympics from the 1960s to the 1980s.
During the 2012 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremonies, some people criticized Costas's comments. They felt his commentary was not always appropriate.
In 2014, Costas had an eye infection at the 2014 Winter Olympics. He had to step away from his hosting duties for a few nights. Matt Lauer and Meredith Vieira filled in for him. This was the first time Costas had not hosted the Olympics since 1998.
Horse Racing
From 2001 to 2018, Costas co-hosted the Kentucky Derby. In 2009, he hosted Bravo's coverage of the Kentucky Oaks. After Costas left NBC Sports, Rebecca Lowe took over his role in horse racing coverage.
Leaving NBC Sports
On February 9, 2017, Costas announced he was stepping down from his main roles at NBC Sports. He said Mike Tirico would take over as the Olympics host. Costas explained he was not fully retiring. He wanted more time for other projects, like baseball. He joked that he was glad the "pink-eye Olympics" (Sochi 2014) were not his last.
Costas's final major broadcast for NBC was hosting the 2018 Belmont Stakes. In that race, Justify won the Triple Crown. On January 15, 2019, Costas officially left NBC Sports after 40 years. On August 11, 2024, Costas made a special guest appearance for NBC's 2024 Summer Olympics coverage.
Talk Show Host
Costas hosted a radio show called Costas Coast to Coast from 1986 to 1996. It was later brought back as Costas on the Radio. This show ended in 2009. His radio shows covered many different topics, not just sports.
He also hosted Later with Bob Costas on NBC from 1988 to 1994. Costas left the show because he was tired of traveling. He wanted to spend more time with his family.
In 2005, Costas became a fill-in host for Larry King's show on CNN. Costas once refused to host a show about a missing teenager. He felt there was no new information. He was uncomfortable with TV shows focusing on tabloid-style stories.
Costas also hosted a monthly talk show called Costas Tonight on NBC Sports Network.
HBO Sports Work
In 2001, Costas joined HBO. He hosted a series called On the Record with Bob Costas. In 2002, Costas became a co-host of HBO's show Inside the NFL. He hosted this show until 2007. He worked with former NFL players like Cris Collinsworth and Dan Marino.
Costas left HBO in 2009 to work for MLB Network. On April 23, 2021, it was announced that Costas would return to HBO. He would host a new interview show called Back on the Record.
MLB Network
On January 1, 2009, Costas hosted the first episode of All Time Games on MLB Network. He showed a rare recording of Game 5 of the 1956 World Series. He talked with Don Larsen, who pitched a perfect game in that match.
Costas joined MLB Network full-time on February 3, 2009. He hosted an interview show called MLB Network Studio 42 with Bob Costas. He also called some live baseball games. In 2017, Costas called a game in the 2017 American League Division Series.
NFL Network
In 2016, Costas hosted Thursday Night Football for NBC and NFL Network. He was replaced by Liam McHugh in 2017.
CNN and TNT Sports
In July 2020, Costas joined CNN as a contributor. He shares his thoughts on sports topics. He also talks about how sports connect with bigger issues in society. Costas said CNN was a good fit for him.
In August 2021, reports said Costas would join TBS. He would host their National League Championship Series coverage. This was confirmed in October 2021.
As of the 2022 MLB season, Costas calls play-by-play for TBS's Tuesday night baseball games. He was also the studio host for TBS's ALCS postseason coverage. He called games for the ALDS. This was the first time since 2000 that Costas called an entire postseason baseball series.
Costas called games for the 2024 American League Division Series on TBS. Some people criticized his calm way of speaking.
Other Appearances
Costas helped a lot with the Ken Burns PBS miniseries Baseball. He also appeared in another PBS film called A Time for Champions.
Famous Calls
June 23, 1984: Costas called NBC's Game of the Week. Ryne Sandberg hit two home runs to tie the game. This game is known as "The Sandberg Game".
October 28, 1995: Costas called Game 6 of the 1995 World Series. The Atlanta Braves won their first World Series championship since moving to Atlanta.
October 26, 1997: Costas called Game 7 of the 1997 World Series. Édgar Rentería hit a walk-off single. This gave the Florida Marlins their first World Series championship.
June 14, 1998: Costas called Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals. Michael Jordan hit a shot with 5.2 seconds left. This gave the Chicago Bulls their sixth championship.
June 4, 2000: Costas called Game 7 of the 2000 Western Conference Finals. Kobe Bryant threw an alley-oop pass to Shaquille O'Neal. This gave the Lakers a six-point lead.
September 25, 2014: Costas called Derek Jeter's final game at Yankee Stadium. Jeter hit an RBI single to win the game.
Interests
Love of Baseball
Costas is a very dedicated baseball fan. He even wrote a book called Fair Ball: A Fan's Case for Baseball in 2000. For his 40th birthday, he got to manage the Oakland Athletics during a spring training game.
Costas gave the speech at Mickey Mantle's funeral. He called Mantle "a fragile hero." Costas even carries a 1958 Mickey Mantle baseball card in his wallet. He also gave the speech for Stan Musial's funeral in 2013.
Costas has often spoken against the baseball playoff wild card rule. He believes it makes winning a division less important. He thinks the wild card team should have some disadvantage. He has suggested making the wild card round a best-of-three series. All games would be at the home field of the team with the better record.
He also dislikes the Designated Hitter rule. He thinks baseball would be better without it. Costas is on the advisory board of the Baseball Assistance Team. This group helps former baseball players who are having financial or medical problems.
Personal Life
Costas was married to Carole "Randy" Randall Krummenacher from 1983 to 2001. They have two children, Keith (born 1986) and Taylor (born 1989). Costas once joked with baseball player Kirby Puckett. He said if Puckett was batting over .350 when his son was born, he would name the baby Kirby. Puckett was hitting well, so Costas added "Kirby" to his son's name.
On March 12, 2004, Costas married his second wife, Jill Sutton. They live mostly in Newport Beach, California. Even though Costas grew up in New York, he often says he thinks of St. Louis as his hometown.
Costas's children have also won Sports Emmys. Keith won two as an associate producer for MLB Network. Taylor won one as an associate producer for NBC's 2012 Summer Olympics coverage.
Awards and Honors
- 29-time Emmy Award winner. He is the only person to win Emmys for sports, news, and entertainment.
- Eight-time NSMA National Sportscaster of the Year.
- Four-time American Sportscasters Association Sportscaster of the Year.
- Has a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame.
- 1999 Curt Gowdy Media Award from the Basketball Hall of Fame.
- 2000 TV Guide Award for Favorite Sportscaster.
- 2001 George Arents Award from Syracuse University.
- 2004 Dick Schaap Award for Outstanding Journalism.
- Inducted into the NSMA Hall of Fame in 2012.
- 2012 Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism.
- 2013 Marty Glickman Award for Leadership in Sports Media.
- 2015 WAER Hall of Fame inductee.
- 2017 Ford C. Frick Award from the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
- 2018 Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame inductee.
- 2019 Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame inductee.
Career Timeline
- 1974–1976: Spirits of St. Louis Play-by-play, KMOX radio
- 1976–1981: Missouri Tigers men's basketball Play-by-play, KMOX radio
- 1976–1979: NFL on CBS Play-by-play
- 1979–1980: Chicago Bulls Play-by-play, WGN-TV
- 1980–2018: NBC Sports Play-by-play & studio host
- 1980–1983: NFL on NBC Play-by-play
- 1983–1989: MLB on NBC #2 play-by-play
- 1984–1992, 2006–2016: NFL on NBC Studio Host
- 1988–1994: Later Host
- 1990–1997, 2002: NBA on NBC Studio Host
- 1992–2016: Summer Olympics Primetime Host
- 1993: Notre Dame Football on NBC Alternate play-by-play
- 1994–2000: MLB on NBC Lead play-by-play
- 1997–2000: NBA on NBC Lead play-by-play
- 2001–2018: Thoroughbred Racing on NBC Lead host
- 2001–2009: On the Record with Bob Costas and Costas Now Host
- 2002–2014: Winter Olympics Primetime Host
- 2002–2008: Inside the NFL Host
- 2003–2014: U.S. Open host, NBC Sports
- 2008–2012: NHL Winter Classic Host
- 2009–present: MLB Network Studio 42 with Bob Costas Host (2009–2014), Thursday Night Baseball Play-by-play
- 2016: NBC/NFL Network Host, Thursday Night Football
- 2017–present: MLB Network play-by-play, MLB Postseason
- 2020–present: CNN Sports contributor
- 2021–present: TBS baseball studio host, 2021 NLCS
See also
In Spanish: Bob Costas para niños
- New Yorkers in journalism
