Career Timeline of Bob Costas: Major Achievements and Milestones
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Bob Costas made an impact.
Bob Costas is a highly acclaimed American sportscaster, renowned for his extensive career with NBC Sports (1980-2019). He's celebrated for hosting 12 Olympic Games and has earned 28 Emmy Awards. Costas is currently with Warner Bros. Discovery, providing commentary on CNN, and he also contributes to MLB Network, where he previously hosted 'Studio 42 with Bob Costas'. His broadcasting career spans decades, making him a recognizable figure in the sports and entertainment industries.
1956: Presentation of the 1956 World Series
On January 1, 2009, Bob Costas hosted the premiere episode of All Time Games, a presentation of the recently discovered kinescope of Game 5 of the 1956 World Series. During the episode, he held a forum with Don Larsen and Yogi Berra.
1968: Introduction of fully electronic timing
The 200 metre time almost always yields a "faster" average speed than a 100-metre race time, since the initial slow speed at the start is spread out over the longer distance. In fact, each 200 metre gold medalist from 1968, when fully electronic timing was introduced, to 1996 had a "faster" average speed at the Olympics, save one, yet there had been no controversy over the title of "world's fastest man" previously, until Bob Costas' remarks during the 1996 Olympics.
1986: Hosting Costas Coast to Coast
In 1986, Bob Costas began hosting the syndicated radio program Costas Coast to Coast.
1994: Bob Costas leaves Later
In 1994, Bob Costas decided to leave Later after six seasons.
October 28, 1995: Calling Game 6 of the 1995 World Series
On October 28, 1995, Bob Costas called Game 6 of the 1995 World Series, where the Atlanta Braves won their first World Series championship since moving to Atlanta in 1966.
1995: Offer from David Letterman
In 1995, Bob Costas turned down an offer from David Letterman to follow him to CBS and become the first host of The Late Late Show.
1996: End of Costas Coast to Coast
In 1996, Costas Coast to Coast, the syndicated radio program hosted by Bob Costas, ended its run.
October 26, 1997: Calling Game 7 of the 1997 World Series
On October 26, 1997, Bob Costas called Game 7 of the 1997 World Series, where Édgar Rentería hit a walk-off single to give the Florida Marlins their first World Series championship.
June 14, 1998: Calling Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals
On June 14, 1998, Bob Costas called Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals, Michael Jordan and Phil Jackson's final game with the Chicago Bulls, where Jordan hit a game-winning shot.
June 4, 2000: Calling Game 7 of the 2000 Western Conference Finals
On June 4, 2000, Bob Costas called Game 7 of the 2000 Western Conference Finals for NBC's NBA coverage, highlighting Kobe Bryant's assist to Shaquille O'Neal.
2000: Writing Fair Ball: A Fan's Case for Baseball
In 2000, Bob Costas wrote Fair Ball: A Fan's Case for Baseball.
2000: Last play-by-play for a postseason baseball series on NBC
In 2022, Bob Costas provided play-by-play for TBS's ALDS postseason coverage, which marked the first time since the 2000 ALCS on NBC that Costas provided play-by-play for a postseason baseball series in its entirety.
2001: Co-hosting the Kentucky Derby
In 2001, Bob Costas began co-hosting the Kentucky Derby, a role he continued until 2018.
2001: Hosting On the Record with Bob Costas
In 2001, Bob Costas was hired by HBO to host a 12-week series called On the Record with Bob Costas.
2002: Co-hosting Inside the NFL
In 2002, Bob Costas began a stint as co-host of HBO's long-running series Inside the NFL.
June 2005: Named regular substitute anchor for Larry King Live
In June 2005, Bob Costas was named by CNN president Jonathan Klein as a regular substitute anchor for Larry King's Larry King Live for one year.
August 18, 2005: Refusal to host Larry King Live
On August 18, 2005, Bob Costas refused to host a Larry King Live broadcast about missing teenager Natalee Holloway, feeling it had no news value.
2007: End of hosting Inside the NFL
Bob Costas remained host of Inside the NFL through the end of the 2007 NFL season. He hosted the show with Cris Collinsworth, Dan Marino, and Cris Carter.
2008: Interviewing George W. Bush at the Beijing Olympics
During the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, Bob Costas interviewed President George W. Bush.
January 1, 2009: Hosting the premiere of All Time Games
On January 1, 2009, Bob Costas hosted the premiere episode of All Time Games on MLB Network, presenting Game 5 of the 1956 World Series.
February 3, 2009: Joining MLB Network full-time
On February 3, 2009, Bob Costas joined MLB Network full-time, hosting MLB Network Studio 42 with Bob Costas and providing play-by-play for live baseball games.
February 2009: Signing with MLB Network
In February 2009, Bob Costas left HBO to sign with MLB Network.
May 31, 2009: End of Costas on the Radio
On May 31, 2009, Costas on the Radio, which was revived from Costas Coast to Coast, ended its three-year run.
2009: Hosting Bravo's Kentucky Oaks coverage
In 2009, Bob Costas hosted Bravo's coverage of the Kentucky Oaks.
October 2011: Correspondent for Rock Center with Brian Williams
Beginning in October 2011, Bob Costas was a correspondent for Rock Center with Brian Williams.
November 2011: Interview with Jerry Sandusky
In November 2011, Bob Costas gained acclaim for his live interview with former Pennsylvania State University assistant coach Jerry Sandusky concerning charges of sexual abuse of minors.
September 25, 2014: Calling Derek Jeter's final game at Yankee Stadium
On September 25, 2014, Bob Costas called Derek Jeter's final game at Yankee Stadium for MLB Network, where Jeter hit a game-winning RBI single.
2016: Hosting Thursday Night Football
In 2016, Bob Costas hosted Thursday Night Football on NBC and NFL Network after a brief absence.
2016: Planning his gradual retirement
In 2016, Bob Costas planned his gradual retirement from NBC Sports, wanting to take on a role similar to Tom Brokaw. He did not want to announce it during the 2016 Summer Olympics or the NFL season to avoid disruption.
2016: Mike Tirico joins NBC Sports
Mike Tirico joined NBC Sports from ESPN in 2016. He was to replace Bob Costas as primetime host for NBC's Olympics coverage.
February 9, 2017: Announcement of stepping down from NBC Sports
On February 9, 2017, Bob Costas announced his decision to step down from his main on-air roles at NBC Sports, ceding his role as primetime host for NBC's Olympics coverage to Mike Tirico. Costas was to host Super Bowl LII as his final Super Bowl but ultimately dropped out of the coverage entirely.
2017: Calling Game 1 of ALDS on MLB Network
In 2017, Bob Costas called Game 1 of the American League Division Series between the Boston Red Sox and the Houston Astros on MLB Network, receiving criticism for his commentary.
2017: Replacement on Thursday Night Football
In 2017, Bob Costas was replaced by Liam McHugh on Thursday Night Football.
2018: Co-hosting the Kentucky Derby until 2018
Bob Costas co-hosted the Kentucky Derby until 2018. After Costas' departure from NBC Sports, Rebecca Lowe filled in the role in 2019.
2018: Hosting the 2018 Belmont Stakes
Bob Costas's final major on-air broadcast for NBC was hosting the 2018 Belmont Stakes, where Justify won the Triple Crown.
January 15, 2019: Official departure from NBC Sports
On January 15, 2019, Bob Costas officially departed from NBC Sports after 40 years.
2019: Rebecca Lowe fills in Costas's role
In 2019, after Bob Costas' departure from NBC Sports, Rebecca Lowe filled in his role on NBC's thoroughbred racing coverage, beginning with the Kentucky Derby.
July 2020: Joining CNN as a contributor
In July 2020, it was announced that Bob Costas would join CNN as a contributor, providing commentary on sports-related issues.
April 23, 2021: Returning to HBO with Back on the Record
On April 23, 2021, it was announced that Bob Costas would be returning to HBO to host a quarter-yearly interview show called Back on the Record.
2022: Providing play-by-play for TBS
As of the 2022 MLB season, Bob Costas provided play-by-play for TBS's Tuesday night baseball package during the regular season and hosted TBS's ALCS postseason coverage.
August 11, 2024: Guest appearance on NBC's Olympics coverage
On August 11, 2024, Bob Costas made a guest appearance on NBC's coverage of the 2024 Summer Olympics, previewing the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles alongside Tirico and Al Michaels.
2024: Retirement from calling MLB games
In 2024, Bob Costas provided play-by-play commentary on TBS for the American League Division Series between the New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals, receiving criticism. Following the series, Costas announced his retirement from calling MLB games.
2028: Previewing the 2028 Summer Olympics
During his August 11, 2024, appearance on NBC's coverage of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Bob Costas participated in a segment previewing the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
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