The Final Word

Somehow I thought I had posted Bob Costas's remarkable eulogy of Stan Musial, but I can't find it here.  However, the search function has been known to glitch.  If I have shown it, it deserves being seen again and again -- especially with the first day of the World Series tomorrow and with the St. Louis Cardinals playing.  And if I haven't shown it, what an oversight!

Given that Costas is a baseball historian and keeper of the flame, and a hugely decent guy, and lives in St. Louis, everything came together for him to make this eulogy.  It's 19 minutes, flies by, and you want it to go on and on -- because Costas is so good, and so was Musial.  You just want to hear more.

I worked with Bob Costas on the movie, BASEketball, and whatever one thinks of the film, it was one of the most enjoyable work experiences I've had.  And Costas only helped make it that way.  He was a gentleman and a joy.  The biggest treat came before filming began.  I was the publicist on the film, and needed biography information on all the notable participants.  That included Costas, and not being an actor by trade, the studio had nothing to give me.  So, I had to call his office directly.  That wasn't at some corporate NBC behemoth in New York, but his home in St. Louis.  And when I called, it wasn't having to go through hoops and channels to get to his secretary, but he answered the phone.  We had a nice chat, but the hilarious part came when he had to fax his bio material to me.  "I might have to wait for my secretary to get back tomorrow," this legend in TV and radio sportscasting said.  "I'm completely incompetent when it comes to technology, and I'm not sure I can use the fax machine."  At this point, I can't recall when the paperwork arrived and wouldn't swear to either day.  But I think it came after the secretary got back.

No matter.  His way with words trumps all.  And it helps to have great source material.