Harold Reynolds
Encyclopedia
Harold Craig Reynolds is a former Major League Baseball
second baseman
. He played from 1983–1994, primarily for the Seattle Mariners
.
and attended Corvallis High School in Corvallis, Oregon
, starring in football, basketball and baseball. He was a member of the 3A State Championship football team in 1978. He graduated from Corvallis High in 1979, and was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame
in 1998.
The following summer, on June 3, 1980, Reynolds was selected in the 1st round (2nd pick) of the amateur draft (Secondary Phase) by the Seattle Mariners. Reynolds signed with the Mariners after one season with Cal State Long Beach.
Reynolds was an All-Star
in and led the American League
in stolen base
s with 60 in 1987, in triples
with 11 in 1988, and in at-bats with 642 in 1990
. He was the only player other than Rickey Henderson
to lead the American League in stolen bases during any season in the 1980s. In 1986, he played in Puerto Rico with the Mayaguez Indians.
In 1991, Reynolds was a recipient of the Roberto Clemente Award
. The Roberto Clemente Award is given annually to a Major League Baseball player selected for his character and charitable contributions to his community.
On October 26, 1992, he was granted free agency
and signed with the Baltimore Orioles
on December 11, 1992. After one season with the Orioles, he was again granted free agency on October 29, 1993. Reynolds signed with the San Diego Padres
on January 28, 1994 before being traded to the California Angels
on March 29, 1994 for Hilly Hathaway
. The 1994 season was Reynolds final season in the major leagues.
During a 12-year baseball career, Reynolds batted
.258 with 1,233 hit
s and 353 Runs batted in
.
A superb fielder, Reynolds regularly led the league in double plays turned and won three Gold Glove awards for his play at second base.
's Baseball Tonight
from 1996–2006. He would appear at major baseball events such on the ESPN set including the All-Star Game
and the World Series
. He also was a commentator for ESPN's coverage of the College World Series
and Little League World Series
. He was also a two time winning coach in the Taco Bell All Star Celebrity Softball game held during the MLB All Star break. He was known for telling his players to "let it all hang out."
On July 24, , Harold Reynolds was fired from ESPN. The ESPN spokeswoman confirmed that Reynolds "is no longer with the network" but did not give a reason for the departure. "Three people who work at ESPN and familiar with the case said the cause was a pattern of sexual harassment." Reynolds called this incident "a total misunderstanding" and that "I gave a woman a hug and I felt like it was misinterpreted."
It was announced on October 30, 2006, that Reynolds planned to sue ESPN after having tried "everything possible to handle this situation quietly behind the scenes," while stating that he is seeking the money owed to him under the remainder of his contract, including interest and lost earnings.
The Smoking Gun obtained a copy of Reynolds' contract that was filed as part of the lawsuit. Reynolds' lawsuit is for $5 million, roughly equivalent to the value of the contract Reynolds signed that was scheduled to cover the 2006–2011 seasons.
ESPN settled the case in April 2008, giving Reynolds a seven figure settlement (Portland Tribune, April 29, 2008).
as a baseball commentator. Reynolds would settle his lawsuit with ESPN on April 16, 2008. Nine days later, Reynolds officially joined Mets pre-game and post-game coverage on SportsNet New York
as a baseball commentator. Reynolds also worked with TBS on their Sunday Baseball telecasts, as well as for their coverage of the 2008 MLB Playoffs. In 2009, he joined the MLB Network
.
and MVP Baseball
series. Harold has also started an organization called HR Enterprises.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
second baseman
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
. He played from 1983–1994, primarily for the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
.
High school
Reynolds was born in Eugene, OregonEugene, Oregon
Eugene is the second largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and the seat of Lane County. It is located at the south end of the Willamette Valley, at the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette rivers, about east of the Oregon Coast.As of the 2010 U.S...
and attended Corvallis High School in Corvallis, Oregon
Corvallis, Oregon
Corvallis is a city located in central western Oregon, United States. It is the county seat of Benton County and the principal city of the Corvallis, Oregon Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Benton County. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 54,462....
, starring in football, basketball and baseball. He was a member of the 3A State Championship football team in 1978. He graduated from Corvallis High in 1979, and was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame
Oregon Sports Hall of Fame
The Oregon Sports Hall of Fame honors Oregon athletes, teams, coaches, and others who have made a significant contribution to sports in Oregon. The first class was inducted in 1980, with new inductees added in the fall...
in 1998.
College
Although Reynolds was drafted in the 4th round of the amateur draft on June 5, 1979, by the San Diego Padres, he elected not to sign and joined the Long Beach City College baseball team.The following summer, on June 3, 1980, Reynolds was selected in the 1st round (2nd pick) of the amateur draft (Secondary Phase) by the Seattle Mariners. Reynolds signed with the Mariners after one season with Cal State Long Beach.
Professional career
Reynolds spent several seasons in the minor leagues, playing in Lynn, Massachusetts for the Lynn Sailors(AA), before being called up by the Mariners and making his major league debut on September 2, 1983. The following season he played AAA ball before being called up again in September 1984. The season of 1985 was his official rookie season in Major League Baseball.Reynolds was an All-Star
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
in and led the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
in stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s with 60 in 1987, in triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
with 11 in 1988, and in at-bats with 642 in 1990
1990 in sports
1990 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Pirmin Zurbriggen, Switzerland-American football:...
. He was the only player other than Rickey Henderson
Rickey Henderson
Rickey Henley Henderson is a former Major League Baseball left fielder who played for nine teams from 1979 to 2003, including four stints with his original team, the Oakland Athletics. Nicknamed The Man of Steal, he is widely regarded as the sport's greatest leadoff hitter and baserunner...
to lead the American League in stolen bases during any season in the 1980s. In 1986, he played in Puerto Rico with the Mayaguez Indians.
In 1991, Reynolds was a recipient of the Roberto Clemente Award
Roberto Clemente Award
The Roberto Clemente Award is given annually to the Major League Baseball player who "best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual's contribution to his team", as voted on by baseball fans and members of the media. It is named for Hall of Fame...
. The Roberto Clemente Award is given annually to a Major League Baseball player selected for his character and charitable contributions to his community.
On October 26, 1992, he was granted free agency
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
and signed with the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
on December 11, 1992. After one season with the Orioles, he was again granted free agency on October 29, 1993. Reynolds signed with the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
on January 28, 1994 before being traded to the California Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
on March 29, 1994 for Hilly Hathaway
Hilly Hathaway
Hillary Houston Hathaway was a Major League Baseball pitcher.Drafted by the California Angels in the 35th round of the 1989 MLB amateur draft, Hathaway made his Major League Baseball debut with the Angels in September, 1992, pitching twice...
. The 1994 season was Reynolds final season in the major leagues.
During a 12-year baseball career, Reynolds batted
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
.258 with 1,233 hit
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
s and 353 Runs batted in
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
.
A superb fielder, Reynolds regularly led the league in double plays turned and won three Gold Glove awards for his play at second base.
ESPN
Reynolds was a lead studio analyst on ESPNESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
's Baseball Tonight
Baseball Tonight
Baseball Tonight is a program that airs on ESPN. The show, which recapitulates the day's Major League Baseball action, has been on the air since 1990.-Air times:...
from 1996–2006. He would appear at major baseball events such on the ESPN set including the All-Star Game
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
and the World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
. He also was a commentator for ESPN's coverage of the College World Series
College World Series
The College World Series or CWS is an annual baseball tournament held in Omaha, Nebraska that is the culmination of the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship, which determines the NCAA Division I college baseball champion. The eight teams are split into two, four-team, double-elimination brackets,...
and Little League World Series
Little League World Series
The Little League Baseball World Series is a baseball tournament for children aged 11 to 13 years old. It was originally called the National Little League Tournament and was later renamed for the World Series in Major League Baseball. It was first held in 1947 and is held every August in South...
. He was also a two time winning coach in the Taco Bell All Star Celebrity Softball game held during the MLB All Star break. He was known for telling his players to "let it all hang out."
Termination at ESPN
On July 24, , Harold Reynolds was fired from ESPN. The ESPN spokeswoman confirmed that Reynolds "is no longer with the network" but did not give a reason for the departure. "Three people who work at ESPN and familiar with the case said the cause was a pattern of sexual harassment." Reynolds called this incident "a total misunderstanding" and that "I gave a woman a hug and I felt like it was misinterpreted."
It was announced on October 30, 2006, that Reynolds planned to sue ESPN after having tried "everything possible to handle this situation quietly behind the scenes," while stating that he is seeking the money owed to him under the remainder of his contract, including interest and lost earnings.
The Smoking Gun obtained a copy of Reynolds' contract that was filed as part of the lawsuit. Reynolds' lawsuit is for $5 million, roughly equivalent to the value of the contract Reynolds signed that was scheduled to cover the 2006–2011 seasons.
ESPN settled the case in April 2008, giving Reynolds a seven figure settlement (Portland Tribune, April 29, 2008).
Post-ESPN Career
On June 11, 2007, Reynolds officially joined MLB.comMLB.com
MLB.com is the official site of Major League Baseball and is overseen by Major League Baseball Advanced Media, L.P. . MLB.com is a source of baseball-related information, including baseball news, statistics, and sports columns...
as a baseball commentator. Reynolds would settle his lawsuit with ESPN on April 16, 2008. Nine days later, Reynolds officially joined Mets pre-game and post-game coverage on SportsNet New York
SportsNet New York
SportsNet New York is a New York City-based regional sports cable network which airs in the New York metro area and all of New York state, and nationwide via satellite. It is owned jointly by the New York Mets, Time Warner Cable, and NBCUniversal...
as a baseball commentator. Reynolds also worked with TBS on their Sunday Baseball telecasts, as well as for their coverage of the 2008 MLB Playoffs. In 2009, he joined the MLB Network
MLB Network
MLB Network is an American television specialty channel dedicated to professional baseball. It is primarily owned by Major League Baseball. Comcast, DirecTV, Time Warner Cable and Cox Communications have minority ownership of the new network, with MLB retaining a controlling two-thirds share...
.
Sports education
Harold Reynolds also provides an in-game tutorial on how to hit, field, and pitch in the Triple Play BaseballTriple Play series
Triple Play was a series of computer and video games based on Major League Baseball, published by EA Sports until their replacement by the MVP Baseball in 2003....
and MVP Baseball
MVP Baseball series
MVP Baseball was a baseball game series published by EA Sports, running from 2003 to 2007 with five games produced. In 2003, MVP became the official successor to EA's long-running Triple Play Baseball series, and it simulated Major League Baseball from 2003 to 2005...
series. Harold has also started an organization called HR Enterprises.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career stolen bases
- List of Major League Baseball stolen base champions
- List of Major League Baseball triples champions
External links
- First public interview following termination at ESPN on Charlie Steiner's show 12-Sep-2006
- Reynolds wants ESPN to explain its actions - The Seattle TimesThe Seattle TimesThe Seattle Times is a newspaper serving Seattle, Washington, US. It is the largest daily newspaper in the state of Washington. It has been, since the demise in 2009 of the printed version of the rival Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Seattle's only major daily print newspaper.-History:The Seattle Times...
, 06-Nov-2006, by Steve Kelley - Former ESPN Analyst Sues Network over "Brief Hug" by Urban Celebrity News