Bob Costas Draws Heat for ‘INSANE Bias’ While Calling Yankees-Royals Playoff Game
Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
Bob Costas faced backlash Monday night for appearing to show bias toward the New York Yankees in their playoff game against the Kansas City Royals.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, the Yankees trailed 4-1 with outfielder Aaron Judge on first base and designed hitter Giancarlo Stanton at bat. A softly hit ground ball to Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. allowed the Royals to turn a double play and end any hopes of a Yankees rally.
“Hit to short,” Costas said. “Witt gets the force [at second base]. Can they turn two? Yes, they can, and it’s just the point we were making. It’s not Giancarlo’s fault. A near base hit. Couldn’t beat it out at the other ends. Turns into a double play.”
While calling the play, Costas had a noticeable tone shift when the Royals completed the double play. To many, he even seemed saddened by it.
For a broadcast on a nationally televised game, that was deemed unacceptable.
“I’m not a Royals fan or a Yankees fan,” analyst Matt Williams said in a tweet. “But what hell is this INSANE bias from Bob Costas? He needs to be replaced. He is audibly disgusted.”
That was far from the only criticism Costas received online.
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