Veteran broadcaster Bob Costas faced backlash for a misstep during his commentary in Game 3 of the Yankees-Royals ALDS, particularly in the bottom of the eighth inning. Costas mistakenly called what was actually a diving catch by Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe as a base hit for Royals’ Vinnie Pasquantino, only correcting himself once he realized the error.
The mix-up occurred when Pasquantino hit a 0-2 pitch to shallow center, and the Yankees shortstop made an impressive diving grab for the second out. Costas initially declared it a hit before the ball had even touched the ground, causing confusion. TBS analyst Ron Darling quickly stepped in, clarifying that Volpe had indeed made the catch. Costas then acknowledged the play’s difficulty and praised Volpe’s effort.
This wasn’t the first time Costas faced criticism during the series. Fans took to social media to express frustration over various aspects of his commentary, from perceived disinterest to a supposed bias in favor of the Yankees. Earlier in the series, Costas had also been caught on a hot mic expressing discomfort about promoting CNN, unaware his remarks were audible to the audience.
Additionally, some viewers criticized Costas for what they felt was a lackluster call on Giancarlo Stanton’s RBI double earlier in the game, further fueling complaints about his postseason coverage.
Despite the commentary controversy, the Yankees edged out a 3-2 win over the Royals, putting them on the cusp of advancing to the American League Championship Series. The incident underscores the intense scrutiny placed on broadcasters during high-stakes playoff games and how their performance can influence the viewing experience.
Fan unhappy over TBS’ coverage of Yankees-Royals ALDS
TBS’s broadcast of Game 3 of the Yankees-Royals ALDS came under fire for its camera work and production choices, particularly during a key moment in the fourth inning when Juan Soto scored from first on Giancarlo Stanton’s double. Instead of focusing on Soto’s slide at home plate, the broadcast opted to follow Stanton running the bases, leaving viewers unable to see the close play at the plate.
Fans and media alike quickly voiced their frustration. Steve Torre of Mad Dog Radio took to social media, calling the network’s coverage an embarrassment. Barstool Sports’ Eric Hubbs even suggested that MLB should consider swapping out TBS personnel mid-game due to the broadcast’s poor quality.
Jomboy Media, a popular outlet for baseball content, reacted strongly during their live stream, with hosts visibly annoyed by the broadcast decisions.
Further criticism arose when the TBS team aired an extended interview with Royals legend George Brett that stretched into Michael Massey’s third-inning at-bat and continued into the fourth. Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina quipped that the game felt like an interruption to a George Brett documentary, while FS1’s Nick Wright, a lifelong Royals fan, called the interview “ridiculous” given the context of the playoff game.
The issue even spilled over to Yankees radio, where analyst Suzyn Waldman shared that fans had complained about the extended focus on Brett, humorously likening the coverage to Taylor Swift’s frequent appearances at Kansas City Chiefs games.
The widespread criticism highlights the difficulty of balancing in-game storytelling with live-action during postseason broadcasts, especially in moments when fans are expecting full attention on the game itself.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
Costas has been bad all three games. I don’t get these in game interviews while the game is going on, no matter the Sport. But I guess if you pay enough money to these Sports you are allowed to do whatever you want, because for the Sport it’s all about the money.