Bob Costas, the voice of baseball for generations, is hanging up his headset. The veteran sportscaster confirmed his retirement from MLB play-by-play to The Athletic, marking the end of a 44-year career filled with memorable calls and a distinctive, insightful style.
The announcement coincided with the conclusion of both the baseball season and his contract, suggesting a planned exit. His final game was the Yankees’ ALDS clincher against the Royals on October 10—perhaps a fittingly understated end to a career defined by a balance of enthusiasm and analytical precision.
This retirement follows a familiar pattern for Costas, who has strategically stepped away from other high-profile roles in recent years. He previously relinquished his primetime Olympics hosting duties at NBC, passing the baton to Mike Tirico, and called his last Super Bowl in 2017 before officially leaving the network in 2019.
While he’s exiting the play-by-play booth, Costas isn’t entirely disappearing from the baseball world. He’ll continue his emeritus role at MLB Network, offering analysis and commentary on historical moments, a position seemingly tailor-made for his blend of encyclopedic knowledge and dry wit.
So, while fans will miss his regular presence during games, they can still look forward to his unique perspective on the sport’s past and present. For now, Costas is leaving the day-to-day grind, but his voice—and its impact on baseball broadcasting—will continue to resonate.
