Bob Costas

NBC's answer to Jim McKay (without the yellow jacket), Bob Costas is the most beloved sports broadcaster of his generation. This month he takes a swing atV.F.'s Proust Questionnaire

Social Study

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

The springtime warble of the birds through a breezy window, a refreshing quaff of pilsner, and all the time I need to review Larry King's Monday column.

What is your current state of mind?

Bemused.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

"Here's the two-two pitch ..."

What is your favorite occupation?

Baseball announcer. On the radio. In the 50s.

What is your greatest fear?

Marge Schott in a lime teddy.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Absurdly high phone bills.

What is your favorite journey?

Over the Brooklyn Bridge to Patsy's Pizza on Old Fulton Street.

When and where were you happiest?

A long-ago midnight in Vegas, the dice in my hand and Lola Falana on my arm.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

Height.

What do you dislike most about your appearance?

The maze of tattoos crisscrossing my torso—what could I have been thinking?

Which talent would you most like to have?

I've always wished I could tap-dance.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I could probably stand to be a bit more punctual.

If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be?

Well, we're all hoping Aunt Gertrude is out of the pen by Christmas.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

A red-eye flight next to a guy who is incensed his alma mater didn't get an N.C.A.A. bid.

On what occasion do you lie?

When a moody drifter asks me for directions.

What do you most value in your friends?

Perspective.

Who is your favorite hero of fiction?

Alfalfa.

What are your favorite names?

Liberace and

What is it that you most dislike?

Being misquoted or misrepresented.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

That some of what I've done has earned the appreciation of reasonable people.

How would you like to die?

On a day when no really famous or accomplished people died.

What is your motto?

Actually I have two: "Look before you leap" and "He who hesitates is lost."