Bob Costas to apologize to Pedro Strop for insensitive commentary
In one of the most unexpected and undeniably awkward stories of the season, broadcasting legend Bob Costas found himself in hot water Friday night after going off on a bizarre and insensitive diatribe about Chicago Cubs reliever Pedro Strop.
Costas was on the call for MLB Network’s broadcast of the Cubs-Cardinals game in St. Louis. Strop, who serves as Chicago’s eighth-inning reliever, was called upon for his duties but had a rough night, allowing a game-tying homer to Greg Garcia and an additional two baserunners before getting the hook.
As Strop left the mound with the game hanging in the balance, he pointed skyward, which is a gesture many pitchers make while taking their leave. But Costas wasn’t having it this time.
Take a listen.
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For those not in a position to listen, here’s a transcript of Costas’ comments.
“Motte is on his way in, Strop is on his way out, pointing toward the heavens. We can only ask, or wonder that he is asking some departed relative for forgiveness for this atrocious performance.”
Where did that even come from?
Costas attempted to explain on Saturday, while also admitting that he owes Strop an apology.
“The tone of it was not what I intended. I intended it as a kind of sarcastic comment about this overall thing where everybody seems to be pointing toward the heavens for every accomplishment, large and small, or even for no accomplishment at all,” Costas said. “I inadvertently appeared harsh toward Strop. That wasn’t my intention. And so I owe him an apology. And I will apologize to him (Sunday).”
The tone and delivery were definitely harsh, but it’s difficult to imagine that message not coming across as harsh or insensitive or just plain unnecessary. Yeah, we get what intentions were, but that’s one of those prepared bits that’s best left on paper.
As for Costas’ decision to apologize, he said that came after the game after he’d gone back and listened to his commentary, and is no way a response to the internet’s “faux outrage.”
“We can be disingenuous about it if we want, if it’s suits our purposes, but we all know this: We live in an age of faux outrage, of disproportionate outrage. Everything is shocking, over the top. ‘He savaged Pedro Strop’ — I mean, come on, come on. Let’s get a handle on this,” Costas said. “I could have done better and I will apologize. But…that’s just Internet stuff. I’m going to take care of it the same way I would have taken care of it if it was 1986. And that’s going to be that.”
Previous commitments prevented Costas from meeting Strop on Saturday. They plan to meet on Sunday before the Cubs leave St. Louis.
It’s the right thing to do, but man, what a bizarre set of circumstances.
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813
