Comments on: Costas on Blogs

By: c close

c close — Thu, 08 May 2008 18:25:38 +0000

Loved your post ……I was, in the early seventies, a young sales rep in St. louis who had played college hoops and was certifiably delirious when the post dispatch announced that the Carolina Cougars were relocating to St louis.

I became The “Spirit’s” first season ticket holder, a valued vendor to the franchise and a friend to Harry Weltner, the owner/GM of the franchise.

Like many, I though harry was off his rocker when he announced that he had hired a 22 year old kid(Costas) to be his play by play guy on KMOX ……(he also had rudy martzke as his pr director…thats another story) .

When I met Bob I thought him to be a cocky young kid ….though extremely competent. By the fourth or fifth broadcast it was obvious that he had every reason to be confident in his abilities ……which is what I had mistakenly interpreted as cockiness. I got to know Bob (and Rudy) quite well over the next couple of years and found him to be a truly down to earth young man. As he grew in stature in your business he remained grounded and …even today is among the best 2 or 3 broadcasters of my lifetime.

His greatest passion, even then, was baseball. He was a walking encyclopedia who always unhesitatingly corrected others who proferred incorrect factoids …..(usually Martzke) and he has always remained true to his passion and true to his character.

I will continue to enjoy both you and Jason in our local red rag ……the two of you are unquestionabl the only raesons that I still read the Star. Continued good luck

chuck close

By: Pat S.

Pat S. — Wed, 07 May 2008 02:55:08 +0000

Thanks for that story, Joe. I got a bit emotional there for a second.

Brian Gunn, I wish you still had that blog.

By: Creston

Creston — Mon, 05 May 2008 21:12:15 +0000

This is why you’re one of the greatest blog writers on the ‘Net today, Joe. Awesome stuff.

By: Gabe Kiley

Gabe Kiley — Mon, 05 May 2008 01:38:34 +0000

Joe,

As usual, a great post.

Costas is my all-time favorite broadcaster. In the late 90s, I’ve had the opportunity to ask Costas a question during a Q&A event I covered as a student reporter at my college, Webster University in St. Louis. I was pretty nervous, but Costas took the question and ran with it. It’s something I’ll never forget.

BTW, I just finished your book on Buck O’Neil. I can’t wait to read your next book!

Gabe
St. Louis

By: Raleigh

Raleigh — Sat, 03 May 2008 02:59:14 +0000

Joe,

I’m the parent of an aspiring sports writer. She admires you and your work, and after reading this post, I can understand why. Thank you.

By: John

John — Sat, 03 May 2008 01:18:47 +0000

Great story. One of the best sports books I have ever read is “Loose Balls” I think it’s by Terry Pluto. Tells the story of the old American Basketball Association. Some funny Costas stuff in there.

By: Marshall

Marshall — Fri, 02 May 2008 19:34:31 +0000

Joe,

Pretty good stuff here, but could you write a little more about it?

By: Brent

Brent — Fri, 02 May 2008 17:15:40 +0000

I too admire Bob Costas. I’ve met him on two occassions — very briefly. Once when he spoke a the University of Missouri back in the early 90s and again 7 years ago or so when he did his book tour. Both occassions I was struck by how human and sincerely nice he was. He’s definitely on the tops of my lists of people I’d love to go have a couple of beers with at a sports bar. I’d actually pay to go listen to you and Bob talk baseball at the sports bar.

Anyway, great story.

By: Melody

Melody — Fri, 02 May 2008 16:43:26 +0000

Great story Joe, thanks so much for sharing. This is why I love your blog, and this is why I loved The Soul of Baseball… you tell your stories in a way that always sucks me in. I always feel like you’ve shared a piece of yourself– you’re really very generous with your writing, and I thank you for that.

By: fd

fd — Fri, 02 May 2008 16:25:50 +0000

Will you get an eyejob like he did when you reach his age?