Bob Costas is well aware of the perception he’s too proper.
In fact, he’s especially aware of one particular criticism he’s received.
During Thursday’s episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, Costas took part in a wide-ranging interview, which had a particular emphasis on the upcoming election. But first, the longtime broadcaster had a bone to pick with one of the show’s producers, noting that Billy Gil’s previous assertion that he should go by “Robert” couldn’t be further from the truth.
“By the way, I don’t know who to pin this on. But one of your limited reference peanut gallery guys… said at one point, ‘I don’t know even know he’s called Bob. He’s the kind of guy that, even in grade school would have demanded that he be called Robert,'” Costas said. “This is what happens when you don’t know jack sh*t.”
Costas proceeded to read off a laundry list of pop culture-relevant appearances and cameos he’s made throughout his career, including the likes of Saturday Night Live, BASEketball, and Pootie Tang.
“If somebody knew as little — even if they were 20 years old — knew as little about baseball history and then was talking about last night’s game with no frame of reference, they’d be laughed out of the room,” Costas said. “You know, laughter, that kind of thing that humorless people supposedly have no grasp of. You know what I’m talking about?”
Le Batard proceeded to call Gil’s comments “disrespectful” to which Costas countered, “Not just disrespectful. Disrespectful is less damning than ignorant.”
“This is what happens when you don’t know jack sh*t… It was not just disrespectful. Disrespectful is less damning than ignorant.”
Bob Costas dismisses @billygil for questioning him going by the nickname of Bob rather than Robert.
WATCH: https://t.co/aFNBOEDmXr pic.twitter.com/FmTSBqFUnP
— Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (@LeBatardShow) October 31, 2024
While it’s certainly shocking Costas would have been aware of a throwaway comment on a previous episode of the Le Batard Show, give him credit for coming equipped with a strongly sourced retort. Very few can eviscerate an argument as thoroughly as Costas did and still manage to sound as — well, proper — as he did.
[The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz]
About Ben Axelrod
Ben Axelrod is a veteran of the sports media landscape, having most recently worked for NBC's Cleveland affiliate, WKYC. Prior to his time in Cleveland, he covered Ohio State football and the Big Ten for outlets including Cox Media Group, Bleacher Report, Scout and Rivals.