Michael Kay vehemently defends Bob Costas amid barrage of playoff hate

The knives have been out for Bob Costas during the ALDS, and Michael Kay thinks the hostility toward him has been over the top.Costas has been on the call alongside Ron Darling for TBS’ coverage of the Yankees-Royals series, and the commentary on the iconic broadcaster has been vicious on social media.

Speaking on Thursday to co-hosts Peter Rosenberg and Don La Greca on his eponymous show on ESPN New York and YES Network, Kay, the longtime Yankees play-by-play broadcaster, came to Costas’ defense.“I’ve never seen such vitriolic hatred toward a guy,” Kay said of Costas, as covered by Awful Announcing.“I’m not being hyperbolic, and you guys could both correct me if I’m wrong.Bob Costas is one of the greatest sports broadcasters that has ever lived.

Alright? Now, if you listen to Bob Costas call a baseball game, cause he used to be the backup to [Vin] Scully, and then he took over the number one job [on NBC].“If you listen to him call those games then, he called them the same way then as he calls them now.Understated.

Kinda teaching you as he goes along.All of that.

I think that the industry has changed.But to see these young people on social media eviscerating a broadcasting god.

… You can say, ‘Hey, I don’t like the cut of his jib, but he stinks.’ You’re out of your minds!”La Greca responded that Costas is a broadcasting legend, but is more known as a studio anchor than for play-by-play.“Let’s be fair.

Listen, I love Bob Costas, and I get along with Bob, and I love when he’s on.But his legend is not for play-by-play,” La Greca said.

“They think of him as a host.And he’s provocative… He called games in the NFL, but NFL fans know him.

Olympics.You put a camera in front of him, give him a microphone, he is going to entertain you with his stories, the behind-the-scenes, and the history.

I don’t think he’s a legend for his play-by-play.I think he does fine.

I’m cool with him.But, Michael, you talk about he’s a...