Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, April 9, 1994 TAG: 9404090110
SECTION: SPECTATOR PAGE: S-11 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By Mike Antonucci Knight-Ridder Newspapers
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
So what is to be made of Bob Costas?
Despite the recognition he has earned as a sportscaster, his broader talent as a journalist was hidden to some extent by the insomniac-oriented schedule of his former NBC showcase, "Later with Bob Costas."
His prime-time interview last week with Mickey Mantle, as part of "Now with Tom Brokaw and Katie Couric," offered the kind of equally compassionate and tough-minded reporting that is rarely seen on a news magazine.
Talking at times through a stream of tears, Mantle unburdened himself about a sense of failure that even applies to his legendary baseball career. His abuse of alcohol, withdrawn personality and on-going family problems dominated a conversation that was upsetting to watch, but still absolutely riveting.
As Costas branches out on "Now" to non-sports topics - he will interview Chevy Chase for the April 13 show - some viewers will recognize the extent of his news skills for the first time. As his reputation grows, meatier assignments may follow.
In the meantime, baseball returns to NBC starting with the July 12 All-Star Game, and Costas will team with Bob Uecker on the network's lead broadcasts.
Like a lot of fans, Costas is extremely distressed over the divisional realignment that sets up a playoff format with wild-card teams. He calls it "the single worst thing to happen to baseball in many, many years, as well as a symptom of the profound confusion about the nature of the game among the people who preside over the sport."
When he gets wound up on the subject, he worries about sounding strident rather than impassioned.
"My tone," he said by phone, "is not angry or attacking. My tone is adamant. My tone is concern for the game."
by CNB