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During the sixth inning of Friday’s American League Divisional Series between the New York Yankees and Cleveland Guardians, longtime sports commentator Bob Costas — calling his first MLB postseason series in over 20 years — accidentally called Guardians pitcher Shane Bieber “Justin Bieber,” as in the Canadian pop star.
Instead of just apologizing for the gaff and letting the moment pass by, Costas instead chose to harp on the gaff for a handful of minutes.
Bob Costas accidentally calls Cleveland Guardians pitcher Shane Bieber “Justin Bieber” during Game 2 of the ALDS
Yes Bob Costas did call Shane Bieber Justin Bieber 🤦‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/5jhy7f5tfh
— uSTADIUM MLB (@uSTADIUMMLB) October 14, 2022
MLB fans react to Bob Costas calling Shane Bieber “Justin Bieber” and then unnecessarily belaboring the point for another few minutes
Needless to say, Major League Baseball fans across the country that were tunning into Friday afternoon’s American League clash were none too amused with Costas’ cringeworthy Bieber-related tangent, especially considering it was coming during a crucial point in both the game and the series (score tied 2-2 in the sixth inning with the Yankees threatening to take a stranglehold 2-0 lead in the five-game series):
Bob Costas really just called Shane Bieber Justin Bieber my lord
— Ryan Weathers (@RyanDWeathers25) October 14, 2022
“Well, it finally happened. Someone finally called Shane Bieber ‘Justin’ on live TV. I just wish it didn’t have to be Bob Costas,” said this Reuters journalist.
https://twitter.com/NickPBrown/status/1581001966083510272
Ron Darling noted Justin Bieber fan
Bob Costas accidentally called Shane Bieber Justin Bieber. The sideline reporter offered the booth $10 if they could name a Justin Bieber song.
Ron QUICKLY responded “Yummy”
What a time to be alive
— Joe DeMayo (@PSLToFlushing) October 14, 2022
Bob Costas mistakenly calling Shane Bieber “Justin” and then rattling off multiple song titles of his was not on my ALDS bingo card
— Kenny Rosenberg (@KRosenberg22) October 14, 2022
Bob Costas needs to leave the booth. He's just listing Justin Bieber songs in the ALDS tie game in the 6th. This man is lost
— Marty Mush (@martymush) October 14, 2022
“Costas and the announcers joking around about Justin Bieber during the playoffs is making me want to throw something at my TV. Do they know that people actually care about this game? Just acknowledge the mistake and move on,” said this frustrated Yankees fan.
Costas and the announcers joking around about Justin Bieber during the playoffs is making me want to throw something at my TV. Do they know that people actually care about this game? Just acknowledge the mistake and move on.
— Rational Yankees Fan (@rational_yankee) October 14, 2022
Elsewhere in the American League, the Houston Astros have a 2-0 lead over the Seattle Mariners. In the National League, heading into Friday’s Game 3s, both the series between the San Diego Padres/Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves/Philadelphia Phillies were tied 1-1.
Following Costas’ stint calling the ALDS between New York and Cleveland, Costas will serve as the onsite studio host for TBS’ coverage of the subsequent American League Championship Series.
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