Costas, Bob
Description
Review "Costas is that rare hybrid in sportscasting with converging wit, erudition and superb communication skills." --Los Angeles Times "Costas comes
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out of a tradition of gentle baseball eloquence." --New York Times "He is as good a pure broadcaster as I've ever seen." --Charlie Rose "Intelligent, witty, good-natured, he is the very antithesis of the shills who dominate most sports programming." --People "With his unique ability to weave intellect into a typically anti-intellectual medium, he's the best in the business." --P.O.V. From the Hardcover edition. Product Description 4 Cassettes 6 hoursRead by AuthorIt's Costas unplugged--a provocative, no-holds-barred assessment of the troubled state of Major League Baseball, with innovative strategies for restoring the thrill of genuine competition and rescuing fans from the forces that have diluted the sheer joy of the game.No one calls ballgames better than Bob Costas, and no one is more knowledgeable and eloquent about baseball and its timeless appeal. Now, from his ideal perspective as an authority and true fan, the renowned broadcaster shares his honest, unflinching views on the subversive forces that are diminishing the game for fans - and proposes realistic changes that can be made to protect and promote the game's best interests.Taking a bold and refreshing stance, Costas examines the growing financial disparity which has resulted in more than two-thirds of the teams in major league baseball having no chance of contending for the World Series. He takes a hard look at how talent-starved teams are increasingly marketing themselves by promoting family entertainment at the ballpark over star attractions on the field. And he presents a withering critique of the wild-card system, the designated hitter and short-sighted league realignment proposals that are compromising the competitive flavor of the game.Filled with stories of games and players as only Costas can tell them, and superbly balanced by his unbridled appreciation for what he calls the "moments of authenticity" that can still make baseball inspiring, FAIR BALL is a vision of our national pastime as it can be, a game that retains its traditional appeal while remaining a central part of American life for the next century. From Publishers Weekly Emmy Award-winning sports announcer Costas is a natural for audio; his confident, animated voice is enjoyable to listen to (though the rapid-fire speed of his delivery takes a little while to get used to), and he's comfortable behind the microphone. His passion for baseball comes through in every line. This audio is a soapbox for Costas, allowing him to present his strong opinions about exactly what's wrong with baseball today. Like a lawyer presenting his final summation, he intelligently argues his case. He believes 1993 was the turning point: the year that Major League Baseball made radical (and in Costas's opinion, misguided) changes, including the realignment of the divisions, that allow weaker teams to enter the playoffs and potentially end up as World Series contenders. Costas also argues strongly for salary caps and revenue sharing to lessen the unfair advantage currently enjoyed by wealthy, large-market teams. This audio's conversational pace and clear production make it a sure bet for baseball fans interested in the future of the game. Based on the Broadway hardcover (Forecasts, Mar. 27). (Apr.) Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. From the Inside Flap 6 hoursRead by AuthorIt's Costas unplugged--a provocative, no-holds-barred assessment of the troubled state of Major League Baseball, with innovative strategies for restoring the thrill of genuine competition and rescuing fans from the forces that have diluted the sheer joy of the game.No one calls ballgames better than Bob Costas, and no one is more knowledgeable and eloquent about baseball and its timeless appeal. Now, from his ideal perspective as an authority and tr
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