Deadspin
Some of you out there might like Bob Costas. Some of you might not. We've always been partial to the guy, not just because he's a St. Louis guy, and not just because he did the intro to the final episode of "Cheers," though that certainly helps. Costas is an obviously intelligent guy, if a bit smuggish from time to time, and we never took him for a Bill Conlin, or a Sam Smith, or a Jay Mariotti. The guy's worldly enough to recognize that fans having more of a voice and more media options is a good thing, right? He's certainly not the type of guy who would use that old, so-tired-it's-almost-awake-again trope of the "blogger in his parents' basement" thing, right? Right? Nope.
Yes, Bob Costas, a guy a lot of people have always kind of looked up to (figuratively, of course), thinks all of you are "pathetic, get-a-life losers."
"it's one thing if somebody just sets up a blog from their mother's basement in Albuquerque and they are who they are, and they're a pathetic get-a-life loser, but now that pathetic get-a-life loser can piggyback onto someone who actually has some level of professional accountability and they can be comment No. 17 on Dan Le Batard's column or Bernie Miklasz' column in St. Louis. That, in most cases, grants a forum to somebody who has no particular insight or responsibility. Most of it is a combination of ignorance or invective.''
"It's just a high-tech place for idiots to do what they used to do on bar stools or in school yards, if they were school yard bullies, or on men's room walls in gas stations. That doesn't mean that anyone with half a brain should respect it.''
Sigh. We really have to go through this again?
Hey, Bob: Those people, the ones you're calling "get-a-life losers?" THESE ARE YOUR VIEWERS. They are not this special mutant brand of human who has simply bubbled up from the nether since the Internet came around. They're people who, for years, have had no choice but to be talked to by you, with no voice of their own to respond. For years, you've had a free ride; you've had your platforms, and you've been able to spout invective about whatever tickled your fancy. This is your right; you've certainly earned it.
But — with all due respect, sir, from a fellow Cardinals fan and a longtime admirer — why are you the only one who gets to talk? Are you seriously claiming that the people who watch your shows, the people who invest their time and money into this the sports enterprise that has allowed you to thrive, the people who pay your salary ... are you really claiming that they're "get-a-life losers?" These are the people who have been watching you all along. It's one thing to want to elevate the nature of sports discourse; heck, we kind of want to do that too. (Kind of.) It's another thing to portray this divide as one between "People Who Are QUALIFIED To Talk About Sports" and "Internet Get-A-Life Losers." It's that kind of attitude that shows blatant contempt for your viewers — your customers, man! — and makes the outlet that is the Web that much more important.
We thought you were on the right side of this debate, Bob. We really did. We fear we might have been wrong.
Bummer: Bob Costas Hates Bloggers [The Big Lead]
(Photo via Can't Stop The Bleeding)
Comments
Well, Bob Costas, why don't you just grow up!!
Oh wait, nevermind. You'll still be 4'-nothing.
Don't worry Will. Costas looks up to EVERYBODY.
Ba-Zing!
Bob Costas Thinks You're A Loser
Get in line, dickbag.
that little midget can suck my bloggin' balls. Just not in my mother's basement in Albuquerque... I don't want to ruin the sweet setup I have by pissing mom off.
But... we are losers.
*Puts away his professional degree* Well, Costas called me a moron. I'm gonna pack it in and join Wallace Matthews anti-Vorpie Crusade. We will put so many VORPie heads on pikes, that people will HAVE to believe us David Eckstein is scrappy. Vive la revolucion!
All you people who voted approve for Costas are suckers.
A big "F-you" right back at you midget boy.
The man's got a point; I would almost always rather be on a bar stool.
Wait, so do we pay Bob Costas's salary or no? I'm not clear on this.
In defense of Bob, my associate and I have built a baseball website by combining ignorance and invective.
I want a re-vote.
You go, girl!!
Why does mom's basement always get such a bad rap? Peter King writes his columns from the shitter.
It's not too late to change your vote. Although, I am glad to know my prior disapproval has been vindicated.
[deadspin.com]
Well this reaffirms my No Vote on the Costas Referendum last week.
The simple repetition of that "mother's basement line" sheds a little light on just how hack some of these guys are deep down.
And he's short.
but now that pathetic get-a-life loser can piggyback onto someone who actually has some level of professional accountability
Daulerio's shoulders must be aching.
Wait ... my mother lives in Albuquerque? Then who's ... !!!!
@The Fan's Attic aka Client No. 11: I hear you! Smarmy little jackass. Burn in hell Costas.
self important asshat
Methinks Costas just got e-served.
Am I also unqualified to sit smugly in front of a fireplace, legs crossed, with a gay sweater on? Bob, I need some guidance on this asap, because that's what I planned on doing tonight.
I'm telling you the TV camera does something to a person's mind...makes them think they are better than you. I also say this because sometimes I stand in front of a tv camera and it seems like I have to fight that urge to.
The tv camera is a horrible thing.
/dick joke
The Leitch is angry today my friends. Like an old man sending back soup at a deli.
And he has a right to be. The arrogance and contempt really makes you feel all warm and fuzzy, doesn't it? Though the Costas one makes me a little sad. His Later show was one of the better interview shows out there. Fuck him and the lifts in his tiny little shoes.
"In defense of Bob, my associate and I have built a baseball website by combining ignorance and invective."
I haven't read the site, but I'm sure it probably sucks balls.
I still approve.
Will, I wish you would have used the "Angry Dwarves" tag.
[deadspin.com]
"They are who we thought they are, and we let them out of the basement!"
@Suss--: But we don't have the snappy sports jackets with logos. That's key.
I love the notion that I need a journalism degree to have an opinion on the sports I watch. I don't need any formal training to know that Herm's a bum.
Client No. 9 > Commenter No. 17
DISAPPROVE!
now i'm a loser? since when does being addicted to coke and xanax and asian strippers equate to being a loser?
But oh my, a man can certainly get lost in those pale blue eyes...
You sucked in Cars, Bob.
I'm sure the Bob Costas Disappoints Us tag will be getting a lot of burn during the Beijing Olympics.
He must be talking about this loser.
Hey Bob, stand up!
BOB COSTAS CAN KISS MY AS$!!! YOU HEARD ME. And if he wants to do anything about it, he can march right down these basement steps and do so. (Just wipe your feet, please. Oh, and try not to be too loud. Mom's taking a nap.)
I like to blog from work, that way it feels like I'm getting paid to do it.
@Bob Loblaw: Seriously, I wish my office was as nice as my parents basement. They have a ping pong table and everything.
Furthermore, isn't Costas from Long Island?
How satisfying would it be to suplex him through a coffee table?
Attn: Costas and other media windbags: There are gamers, bloggers and serial killers that don't live in their mom's basement. Shocking!
Bob Costas is an American treasure.
Accountability is overrated.
I'd respond with some ignorance and invective, but my mom just took a pizza out of the oven.
@ArkansasFred: and BASEketball.
@HIV 2 Elway:
My parents house didn't even have a basement...I had to be a loser in the den.
He's originally from Long Island, Commack, but after that comment, you can have him, Will.
Bigger disappointment in midlife: Bob Costas or Dennis Miller? Discuss.
Also, didn't NBC film "Later with Bob Costas" in his basement rec room?
@ArkansasFred: +1
@ArkansasFred: Disagree. Frankensteiner off the ropes.
@UpstateUnderdog: Agreed. My Office is the new My Mother's Basement.
Bob Costas is a big poopyhead.
/typed from barstool
Here I sit,
brokenhearted.
Tried to shit,
but only farted.
/Bob's got me.
@UkraineNotWeak: Well, he was on the once-great KMOX for seven years; he started his career there. If you were on KMOX, you're one of ours.
@Big Daddy Drew: I took you to be a school yard bully type. Meet him by the bike rack at 3 and kick his ass!
Becuase if there is anyone who knows about writing on men's room's walls at gas stations, it Bob
I just want someone who actually is a bad ass (like Bob Knight or something) to call us losers, not pansy people like Tony K or Bob Costas. Then I'll feel validated.
@J-No: Too bad you don't live in Michigan, we get to revote all the time!
@UpstateUnderdog: you are friend
comment No. 17 on Dan Le Batard's column: BAM!
I, for one, am so sick of this shit.
Since when is it mom's basement? It's always been dad's domain, from the moment he put in the little 13-inch tv and the fake leather recliner with the remote storage thingy that hangs over the right arm and the little side table with his beer and chips.
Mom hangs out in the ktchen, sneaking sips of wine in between episodes of "As the World Turns."