Bob Costas said that he "would apologize" to Cubs P Pedro Strop for remarks he made Friday when Strop was leaving the field after allowing a game-tying homer to Cardinals 2B Greg Garcia and then a couple other base runners in the eighth inning, according to Rick Hummel of the ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH. Costas during the game on MLB Network said, “We can only ask, or wonder, that he (Strop) is asking some departed relative for forgiveness for this atrocious performance.” Costas said that late Friday, he called Cubs Dir of Media Relations Peter Chase to "set up an appointment to speak to Strop face to face 'not because my motivation was wrong but I could see how somebody could misunderstand it'" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 6/28). In Chicago, David Haugh writes Costas "polluted" the telecast with the "insensitive, inappropriate comment." The incident caused one of the "classiest broadcasters in the business to veer into unfamiliar territory." Haugh: "E-Bob. Costas has earned the right to call Strop's performance 'atrocious,' and it was. But, regardless of Costas' credentials, in going for a clever line he crossed a line invoking the pitcher's 'departed relative.' It was over-the-top for someone of Costas' stature. We all say things we regret into a microphone and Costas would be wise to acknowledge that, apologize and move onto something else" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 6/28). Costas said that he "regretted his over-the-top criticism." In N.Y., Daniel Popper wrote even legends "strike out on occasions," and such was the case here with Costas, who "was blasted on social media when the commentary surfaced." Costas: "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. I inadvertently appeared harsh toward Strop. That wasn’t my intention. And so I owe him an apology. And I will apologize to him (on Sunday)" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/28).
