TV sportscaster known as a smart interviewer with encyclopedic knowledge and a devilish sense of humor.

First full-time sportscasting job came at age 22 with the American Basketball Association's Spirits of St. Louis, calling games on radio station KMOX.For his fortieth birthday, Oakland A's manager Tony La Russa allowed him to manage the club during a spring training game.In 2000, published his first book, 'Fair Ball: A Fan's Case For Baseball.'The first time he visited baseball legend Stan Musial's St. Louis eatery, left a $3.31 tip in homage to the Cardinal great's lifetime batting average (.331).Carries a Mickey Mantle baseball card in his wallet.Apart from his normal sportscasting duties, Costas also announced periodic dog-sled and elevator races on "Late Night with David Letterman" (1982).Costas has won four National Sportcaster of the Year awards (from the National Sportcaster and Sportswriter Association) and three Emmy Awards for outstanding sports announcing.Children: Keith (b. 1986) and Taylor (b. 1989).Is of Greek and Irish heritage.Graduated Commack High School South, Class of '70 The first class to graduate from that school.NBC sportscaster (1980- ).Recipient of the Curt Gowdy Award (awarded to members of the electronic and print media for outstanding contributions to basketball) in 1999.Attended Syracuse University in New York.Ranked #6 by the American Sportscasters Association in its list of the Top 50 Sportscasters of All-Time (January 2009).Had made it known that he despises the often-used phrase that a player or team can "control their own destiny." He claims that if it truly is 'destiny,' there is nothing any team or player can do to change it.