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{{short description|American baseball player and commentator (born 1960)}}
'''Harold Craig Reynolds''' (born [[November 26]], [[1960]] in [[Eugene, Oregon]]) is a former [[second baseman]] in [[Major League Baseball]]. He was a studio analyst on [[ESPN]]'s ''[[Baseball Tonight]]'' for over ten years until he was fired in July [[2006]]. Reynolds spent the first 10 years of his professional career in the majors with the [[Seattle Mariners]] from [[1983 in sports|1983]] to [[1992 in sports|1992]]. He then moved to the [[Baltimore Orioles]] in [[1993 in sports|1993]] and then to the [[Anaheim Angels|California Angels]] the following season in [[1994 in sports|1994]].
{{other people}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name=Harold Reynolds
|image=Harold Reynolds 2008.jpg
|image_size=200px
|caption=Reynolds with [[MLB.com]] at the [[2008 World Series]]
|position=[[Second baseman]]
|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1960|11|26}}
|birth_place=[[Eugene, Oregon]], U.S.
|bats=Switch
|throws=Right
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate=September 2
|debutyear=1983
|debutteam=Seattle Mariners
|finalleague = MLB
|finaldate=August 7
|finalyear=1994
|finalteam=California Angels
|statleague = MLB
|stat1label=[[Batting average (baseball)|Batting average]]
|stat1value=.258
|stat2label=[[Home run]]s
|stat2value=21
|stat3label=[[Run batted in|Runs batted in]]
|stat3value=353
|stat4label=[[Stolen base]]s
|stat4value=250
|teams=
* [[Seattle Mariners]] ({{mlby|1983}}–{{mlby|1992}})
* [[Baltimore Orioles]] ({{mlby|1993}})
* [[Los Angeles Angels|California Angels]] ({{mlby|1994}})
|highlights=
* 2× [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[1987 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1987]], [[1988 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1988]])
* 3× [[Gold Glove Award]] (1988–1990)
* [[Roberto Clemente Award]] (1991)
* [[List of Major League Baseball annual stolen base leaders|AL stolen base leader]] (1987)
}}
'''Harold Craig Reynolds''' (born November 26, 1960) is an American former professional [[baseball]] player and current television [[sports commentator]]. He played in [[Major League Baseball]] as a [[second baseman]] from {{By|1983}} to {{By|1994}}, most prominently as a member of the [[Seattle Mariners]], where he was a two-time [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] player and a three-time [[Gold Glove Award]] winner. He also played for the [[Baltimore Orioles]] and the [[Los Angeles Angels|California Angels]]. In 1991, Reynolds was named the recipient of the prestigious [[Roberto Clemente Award]]. After his playing career, he became a four-time [[Outstanding Sports Personality, Studio and Sports Event Analyst|Emmy Award]] winning television baseball analyst, working for the [[MLB Network]] and [[Fox Sports (United States)|Fox Sports]].


==Early career==
Reynolds was an [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] in [[1987 in sports|1987]] and [[1988 in sports|1988]], led the [[American League]] in [[stolen base]]s with 60 in 1987, in [[triple (baseball)|triples]] with 11 in 1988, and in at-bats with 642 in [[1990 in sports|1990]].


===High school===
Reynolds was a career .258 hitter with 21 [[home run]]s and 353 [[Run batted in|RBI]] in 1374 games.
Born in [[Eugene, Oregon]],<ref name="sciahs">{{cite news |last=Bellamy |first=Ron |date=February 11, 1994 |title=Second chance is all he seeks |page=1B |newspaper=[[The Register-Guard]] |location=Oregon |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=B1VWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=sOsDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6390%2C2228483 |via=[[Google News Archive]]}}</ref> Reynolds was raised in [[Corvallis, Oregon|Corvallis]] and starred in [[High school football|football]], [[High school basketball|basketball]], and baseball at [[Corvallis High School (Oregon)|Corvallis High School]]. He was a member of the state championship (AAA) football team in 1978, graduated in 1979, and was inducted into the [[Oregon Sports Hall of Fame]] in 1998.<ref name="snewind">{{cite news |date=June 30, 1998 |title=Six new inductees join Oregon Hall of Fame |page=2D |newspaper=[[The Register-Guard]] |location=Oregon |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=X0xWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=7esDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3472%2C8069063}}</ref> He was a member of Corvallis' [[American Legion Baseball|American Legion baseball]] team that won state and regional titles in August 1978.<ref name="cupyftl">{{cite news |date=August 28, 1978 |title=Corvallis upends Yakima for title |page=6 |newspaper=[[Daily Record (Washington)|Ellensburg Daily Record]] |agency=[[United Press International]] |location=Washington |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1oRUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=MI8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=4068%2C3663116 |via=[[Google News Archive]]}}</ref>


===College===
A superb fielder, Reynolds regularly led the league in [[double plays]] turned and won three [[Gold Glove]] awards.
Reynolds was selected in the sixth round (144th overall) of the [[1979 Major League Baseball draft|1979 MLB draft]] by the [[San Diego Padres]] on June 5. He opted not to sign and attended college initially at [[San Diego State University]] before transferring to [[Cañada College]] in [[Redwood City, California]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=6th Round of the 1979 MLB June Amateur Draft |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/?year_ID=1979&draft_round=6&draft_type=junreg&query_type=year_round |access-date=June 17, 2023 |website=[[Baseball-Reference.com]] |language=en}}</ref> In the [[1980 Major League Baseball draft|1980 MLB draft]] on June 3, Reynolds was selected with the second pick of the amateur draft's secondary phase by the [[Seattle Mariners]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=1st Round of the 1980 MLB June Draft-Secondary Phase |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/?year_ID=1980&draft_round=1&draft_type=junsec&query_type=year_round |access-date=June 17, 2023 |website=[[Baseball-Reference.com]] |language=en}}</ref>


On June 1, 2013, Reynolds was inducted into the Cañada College Hall of Fame and was presented with the "Colts Lifetime Achievement Award".<ref>{{Cite web |title=2013 Inductees {{!}} Hall of Fame |url=https://www.canadacollege.edu/halloffame/inductees2013.php |access-date=June 17, 2023 |website=[[Cañada College]]}}</ref>
On [[July 25]], 2006, [[New York Post]] writer Andrew Marchand reported that Reynolds has been fired from ESPN. No rationale nor response from ESPN to the firing has been given. [http://www.nypost.com/sports/espn_fires_reynolds_sports_andrew_marchand.htm]


==External link==
==Professional career==
Reynolds spent several seasons in the [[Minor League Baseball|minor leagues]], playing for the [[Wausau Timbers]] (A) in [[Wisconsin]] in 1981, [[Lynn Sailors]] (AA) in [[Massachusetts]] in 1982, and [[Salt Lake City Bees|Salt Lake Gulls]] (AAA) in [[Utah]] in 1983,<ref name="orcomcl">{{cite news |last=Kragthorpe |first=Kurt |date=June 15, 1983 |title=Owen-Reynolds combination clicks |page=8B |newspaper=[[Deseret News]] |location=Salt Lake City, Utah |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1jJTAAAAIBAJ&sjid=K4MDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3688%2C6469835 |via=[[Google News Archive]]}}</ref> prior to his major league debut on September 2, 1983. In his major league debut, Reynolds appeared as a pinch runner for [[Ken Phelps]] in the ninth inning of a 5–4 loss to the [[New York Yankees]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 2, 1983 |title=New York Yankees vs Seattle Mariners Box Score: September 2, 1983 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SEA/SEA198309020.shtml |access-date=June 17, 2023 |website=[[Baseball-Reference.com]] |language=en}}</ref> During his time in the minors, Reynolds learned how to switch hit by working with minor league manager and former [[Cincinnati Reds]] catcher [[Bill Plummer]]. The following season, he played AAA ball in Salt Lake before being called up again in September 1984. Reynolds exceeded his rookie limits during the 1985 season and batted .144 with 3 RBI in 67 games.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Harold Reynolds Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/reynoha01.shtml |access-date=June 17, 2023 |website=[[Baseball-Reference.com]] |language=en}}</ref> The next season, Reynolds appeared in over 100 games for the first time. He finished the season batting .222 with a home run, 24 RBI and 30 stolen bases in 126 games.<ref name=":0" />
*[http://www.baseball-reference.com/r/reynoha01.shtml Baseball-Reference.com - sssscareer statistics and analysis]
[[File:George H. W. Bush with Harold Reynolds (P15486-24A).jpg|thumb|right|Reynolds (right) presents President [[George H. W. Bush]] with a Seattle Mariners baseball cap in the [[Oval Office]] in 1990.]]
Reynolds was an [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] in {{Baseball year|1987}} and {{Baseball year|1988}}, led the [[American League]] in [[stolen base]]s with 60 in 1987, in [[triple (baseball)|triples]] with 11 in 1988, and in at-bats with 642 in [[1990 in sports|1990]].<ref name=":0" /> He was the only player other than [[Rickey Henderson]] to lead the American League in stolen bases during any season in the 1980s. However, Reynolds was also [[caught stealing]] 20 times in 1987, which led the AL, and he was caught 29 times in 1988, which led the majors.<ref name=":0" /> On defense, Reynolds won three [[Gold Glove Award]]s and led the American League in [[Assist (baseball)|assist]]s and [[double play]]s five times each.<ref name=":0" /> In 1986, he played in Puerto Rico with the Mayagüez Indians.


On September 30, 1990, Reynolds was the last man to bat at [[Comiskey Park]]. He grounded out against [[Chicago White Sox]] pitcher [[Bobby Thigpen]] to close out a 2–1 White Sox win.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 30, 1990 |title=Seattle Mariners vs Chicago White Sox Box Score: September 30, 1990 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHA/CHA199009300.shtml |access-date=June 18, 2023 |website=[[Baseball-Reference.com]] |language=en}}</ref>
[[Category:1987 American League All-Stars|Reynolds, Harold]]

[[Category:1988 American League All-Stars|Reynolds, Harold]]
In 1991, Reynolds won the [[Roberto Clemente Award]], given annually to a Major League Baseball player selected for his character and charitable contributions to his community.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Roberto Clemente Award Winners {{!}} History |url=https://www.mlb.com/awards/roberto-clemente |access-date=June 17, 2023 |website=[[MLB.com]] |publisher=[[MLB Advanced Media]] |language=en}}</ref>
[[Category:Baltimore Orioles players|Reynolds, Harold]]
[[File:Bill Clinton in the Camden Yards dugout (42-WHPO-P02249-30) (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|Reynolds (left) receives a [[thumbs up]] from President [[Bill Clinton]] before [[Opening Day]] at [[Camden Yards]] in 1993.]]
[[Category:California Angels players|Reynolds, Harold]]
On October 26, 1992, Reynolds was granted [[Free agent|free agency]].<ref name=":0" /> He signed a one-year, $1.65 million contract with the [[Baltimore Orioles]] on December 11, 1992.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 12, 1992 |title=SPORTS PEOPLE: BASEBALL; Orioles Get Reynolds |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/12/12/sports/sports-people-baseball-orioles-get-reynolds.html |access-date=June 18, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> He played in 145 games with the Orioles, batting .252 with four home runs and 47 RBI.<ref name=":0" /> After one season with the Orioles, he again entered free agency on October 29, 1993.<ref name=":0" /> Reynolds signed a minor league contract with the [[San Diego Padres]] on January 28, 1994,<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 28, 1994 |title=Padres sign Reynolds |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1994/01/28/Padres-sign-Reynolds/3933759733200/ |access-date=June 18, 2023 |website=[[United Press International]] |language=en}}</ref> before being traded to the [[Los Angeles Angels|California Angels]] on March 29 for [[Hilly Hathaway]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 30, 1994 |title=Trade by Padres makes Angels next stop for Harold Reynolds |url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1994/03/30/trade-by-padres-makes-angels-next-stop-for-harold-reynolds/ |access-date=June 18, 2023 |website=[[Tampa Bay Times]] |language=en}}</ref> The 1994 season was Reynolds' final season in the major leagues.
[[Category:Seattle Mariners players|Reynolds, Harold]]

[[Category:Major league second basemen|Reynolds, Harold]]
Reynolds led the league in [[double plays]] turned by a second baseman five times and in errors committed by a second baseman four times, and won three [[Gold Glove]] awards for his play at second base.
[[Category:Gold Glove Award winners|Reynolds, Harold]]

[[Category:Major League Baseball announcers|Reynolds, Harold]]
==Broadcasting==
[[Category:1960 births|Reynolds, Harold]]
[[File:Harold Reynolds 2008 World Series.jpg|thumb|190px|Reynolds at the [[2008 World Series]]]]
[[Category:Living people|Reynolds, Harold]]

[[Category:Major League Baseball on ESPN|Reynolds, Harold]]
Reynolds joined [[ESPN]] in 1996 as a lead studio analyst on ''[[Baseball Tonight]]''. He appeared at major baseball events on the ESPN set, including the [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|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]].{{Citation needed|date=November 2009}} However, he was fired from the network in July 2006 following accusations of [[sexual harassment]].<ref>{{cite news |date=July 26, 2006 |title=ESPN's Reynolds let go over sexual harassment |work=[[Evansville Courier & Press]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |url=http://www.courierpress.com/news/2006/jul/26/espns-reynolds-let-go-over-sexual-harassment/ |access-date=July 26, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061107100259/http://www.courierpress.com/news/2006/jul/26/espns-reynolds-let-go-over-sexual-harassment/ <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=November 7, 2006}}</ref> Reynolds called the incident "a total misunderstanding," claiming that a hug he had given a woman had been misinterpreted.<ref>{{cite news |last=Marchand |first=Andrew |date=July 26, 2006 |title=Accused of Sexual Harassment: Reynolds Wants ESPN Job Back |work=[[New York Post]] |url=http://www.nypost.com/sports/accused_of_sexual_harassment_sports_andrew_marchand.htm |access-date=July 26, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060819114231/http://www.nypost.com/sports/accused_of_sexual_harassment_sports_andrew_marchand.htm |archive-date=August 19, 2006}}</ref> Reynolds filed a $5 million lawsuit against ESPN for payment of the remainder of his contract.<ref>{{cite web |date=October 31, 2006 |title=Reynolds sues ESPN for $5 million |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15490882/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071115044035/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15490882/ |archive-date=November 15, 2007 |access-date=October 19, 2007 |website=[[MSNBC]] |agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Sandomir |first=Richard |date=February 8, 2007 |title=Reynolds's Pact Is Included in Amended ESPN Suit |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/08/sports/baseball/08base.html?_r=1&ref=baseball&oref=slogin |access-date=May 4, 2010}}</ref> ESPN settled the case with Reynolds in April 2008, and paid him a seven-figure sum.<ref>{{cite web|title=ESPN, Harold Reynolds settle lawsuit |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/stories/2008/04/14/daily24.html|website=[[Los Angeles Business Journal]]|date=April 16, 2008}}</ref>
[[Category:African American baseball players|Reynolds, Harold]]

[[Category:People from Corvallis, Oregon|Reynolds, Harold]]
Reynolds joined [[MLB.com]] as a commentator in June 2007.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 11, 2007 |title=Former All-Star Reynolds joins MLB.com |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20070611&content_id=2020388&vkey=pr_mlbcom&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070616040656/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20070611&content_id=2020388&vkey=pr_mlbcom&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |archive-date=June 16, 2007 |website=[[MLB.com]] |publisher=[[MLB Advanced Media]]}}</ref> In April 2008, he joined Mets pre-game and post-game coverage on [[SportsNet New York]] as a baseball commentator.<ref>{{cite web |last=Cerrone |first=Matthew |date=April 24, 2008 |title=Harold Reynolds joins Mets Pre Game |url=http://www.metsblog.com/2008/04/24/news-harold-reynolds-joins-mets-pre-game |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724221607/http://www.metsblog.com/2008/04/24/news-harold-reynolds-joins-mets-pre-game/ |archive-date=July 24, 2008 |access-date=April 24, 2008 |website=Mets Blog}}</ref> Reynolds also worked with [[Major League Baseball on TBS|TBS]] on their Sunday baseball telecasts, as well as the 2008 MLB playoffs.
[[Category:Major league players from Oregon|Reynolds, Harold]]

[[Category:ABC Sports|Reynolds, Harold]]
Reynolds has been an analyst on [[MLB Network]] since its launch in January 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MLB Network Personalities |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/network/personalities/?id=3686541 |website=[[MLB.com]] |publisher=[[MLB Advanced Media]]}}</ref> Reynolds regularly appears on ''[[MLB Tonight]]'', ''[[Quick Pitch (TV series)|Quick Pitch]]'', ''Diamond Demo'' and MLB Network's breaking news and special event coverage, including the All-Star Game, Postseason and World Series. He was nominated for a Sports Emmy Award for his work as a studio analyst on MLB Network in 2011, 2012 and 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 22, 2010 |title=NATIONAL ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS & SCIENCES ANNOUNCES NOMINEES FOR THE 32ND ANNUAL SPORTS EMMY® AWARDS, AL MICHAELS TO RECEIVE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD |url=http://emmyonline.com/sports_32nd_nominations |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029151907/http://emmyonline.com/sports_32nd_nominations |archive-date=October 29, 2020 |access-date=October 26, 2020 |website=[[Emmy Awards]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=March 20, 2012 |title=NOMINEES FOR THE 33RD ANNUAL SPORTS EMMY® AWARDS |url=http://emmyonline.com/sports_33rd_nominations |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140326015639/http://emmyonline.com/sports_33rd_nominations |archive-date=March 26, 2014 |access-date=October 26, 2020 |website=[[Emmy Awards]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=March 20, 2013 |title=THE NOMINEES FOR THE 34th ANNUAL SPORTS EMMY® AWARDS |url=http://emmyonline.com/sports_34th_nominations |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021123750/http://emmyonline.com/sports_34th_nominations |archive-date=October 21, 2013 |access-date=October 26, 2020 |website=[[Emmy Awards]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

Reynolds became a member of the ''[[MLB on Fox]]'' pregame show in 2012, which at the time was being produced out of MLB Network's studios. Reynolds worked on Fox's pregame show for two years alongside [[Matt Vasgersian]] and [[Kevin Millar]]. After the 2013 season, Reynolds, along with [[Tom Verducci]], was promoted to join [[Joe Buck]] on the network's top broadcast team following the retirement of lead analyst [[Tim McCarver]], which lasted for two seasons until the duo was replaced by [[John Smoltz]] in 2016.

==Personal life==
Reynolds is a [[Christianity|Christian]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Williamson |first1=Don |date=August 5, 1990 |title=Harold Reynolds -- This Seattle Mariner Uses Baseball As A Platform For Teaching Kids |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19900805&slug=1086244 |access-date=2024-10-27 |website=[[The Seattle Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Harold Reynolds |url=http://www.thegoal.com/players/baseball/reynolds_harold/reynolds_harold.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512221813/http://www.thegoal.com/players/baseball/reynolds_harold/reynolds_harold.html |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |access-date=May 12, 2019 |website=The Goal}}</ref> and is the youngest of eight children. His brother [[Don Reynolds]] is a former [[outfielder]] who played parts of two seasons with the [[San Diego Padres]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=McMane |first=Fred |date=June 6, 1979 |title=Wolverines Popular In Baseball Draft |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=twJcAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1VQNAAAAIBAJ&pg=5160,1335934&dq=harold+reynolds+baseball+brother+don+padres&hl=en |access-date= |website=Times-Union |via=[[Google News Archive]] |agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of Major League Baseball annual stolen base leaders]]
*[[List of Major League Baseball annual triples leaders]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[http://www.haroldreynolds.com Official website]
{{Baseballstats |mlb=121108|espn=1267|br=r/reynoha01|fangraphs=1010870|brm=reynol001har|retro=R/Preynh001}}

{{Roberto Clemente Award}}
{{AL 2B Gold Glove Award}}
{{AL stolen base champions}}
{{BaseballTonight}}
{{Major League Baseball on Fox}}
{{Major League Baseball on TBS}}
{{MLB Network}}
{{MLB Network Showcase}}
{{Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Analyst}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Reynolds, Harold}}
[[Category:1960 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:African-American baseball players]]
[[Category:American expatriate baseball players in Canada]]
[[Category:American League All-Stars]]
[[Category:American League stolen base champions]]
[[Category:Baltimore Orioles players]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Oregon]]
[[Category:Calgary Cannons players]]
[[Category:California Angels players]]
[[Category:Cañada Colts baseball players]]
[[Category:Corvallis High School (Oregon) alumni]]
[[Category:ESPN people]]
[[Category:Gold Glove Award winners]]
[[Category:Long Beach State Dirtbags baseball players]]
[[Category:Lynn Sailors players]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball second basemen]]
[[Category:MLB Network personalities]]
[[Category:New York Mets announcers]]
[[Category:Omaha Royals players]]
[[Category:Salt Lake City Gulls players]]
[[Category:Seattle Mariners players]]
[[Category:SportsNet New York people]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Corvallis, Oregon]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Eugene, Oregon]]
[[Category:Wausau Timbers players]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American sportsmen]]
[[Category:Alaska Goldpanners of Fairbanks players]]

Latest revision as of 20:58, 6 November 2024

For other people named Harold Reynolds, see Harold Reynolds (disambiguation).

Harold Reynolds
Reynolds with MLB.com at the 2008 World Series
Second baseman
Born: (1960-11-26) November 26, 1960 (age 64)
Eugene, Oregon, U.S.
Batted: Switch
Threw: Right
MLB debut
September 2, 1983, for the Seattle Mariners
Last MLB appearance
August 7, 1994, for the California Angels
MLB statistics
Batting average.258
Home runs21
Runs batted in353
Stolen bases250
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Harold Craig Reynolds (born November 26, 1960) is an American former professional baseball player and current television sports commentator. He played in Major League Baseball as a second baseman from 1983 to 1994, most prominently as a member of the Seattle Mariners, where he was a two-time All-Star player and a three-time Gold Glove Award winner. He also played for the Baltimore Orioles and the California Angels. In 1991, Reynolds was named the recipient of the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award. After his playing career, he became a four-time Emmy Award winning television baseball analyst, working for the MLB Network and Fox Sports.

Early career

[edit]

High school

[edit]

Born in Eugene, Oregon,[1] Reynolds was raised in Corvallis and starred in football, basketball, and baseball at Corvallis High School. He was a member of the state championship (AAA) football team in 1978, graduated in 1979, and was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 1998.[2] He was a member of Corvallis' American Legion baseball team that won state and regional titles in August 1978.[3]

College

[edit]

Reynolds was selected in the sixth round (144th overall) of the 1979 MLB draft by the San Diego Padres on June 5. He opted not to sign and attended college initially at San Diego State University before transferring to Cañada College in Redwood City, California.[4] In the 1980 MLB draft on June 3, Reynolds was selected with the second pick of the amateur draft's secondary phase by the Seattle Mariners.[5]

On June 1, 2013, Reynolds was inducted into the Cañada College Hall of Fame and was presented with the "Colts Lifetime Achievement Award".[6]

Professional career

[edit]

Reynolds spent several seasons in the minor leagues, playing for the Wausau Timbers (A) in Wisconsin in 1981, Lynn Sailors (AA) in Massachusetts in 1982, and Salt Lake Gulls (AAA) in Utah in 1983,[7] prior to his major league debut on September 2, 1983. In his major league debut, Reynolds appeared as a pinch runner for Ken Phelps in the ninth inning of a 5–4 loss to the New York Yankees.[8] During his time in the minors, Reynolds learned how to switch hit by working with minor league manager and former Cincinnati Reds catcher Bill Plummer. The following season, he played AAA ball in Salt Lake before being called up again in September 1984. Reynolds exceeded his rookie limits during the 1985 season and batted .144 with 3 RBI in 67 games.[9] The next season, Reynolds appeared in over 100 games for the first time. He finished the season batting .222 with a home run, 24 RBI and 30 stolen bases in 126 games.[9]

Reynolds (right) presents President George H. W. Bush with a Seattle Mariners baseball cap in the Oval Office in 1990.

Reynolds was an All-Star in 1987 and 1988, led the American League in stolen bases with 60 in 1987, in triples with 11 in 1988, and in at-bats with 642 in 1990.[9] He was the only player other than Rickey Henderson to lead the American League in stolen bases during any season in the 1980s. However, Reynolds was also caught stealing 20 times in 1987, which led the AL, and he was caught 29 times in 1988, which led the majors.[9] On defense, Reynolds won three Gold Glove Awards and led the American League in assists and double plays five times each.[9] In 1986, he played in Puerto Rico with the Mayagüez Indians.

On September 30, 1990, Reynolds was the last man to bat at Comiskey Park. He grounded out against Chicago White Sox pitcher Bobby Thigpen to close out a 2–1 White Sox win.[10]

In 1991, Reynolds won the Roberto Clemente Award, given annually to a Major League Baseball player selected for his character and charitable contributions to his community.[11]

Reynolds (left) receives a thumbs up from President Bill Clinton before Opening Day at Camden Yards in 1993.

On October 26, 1992, Reynolds was granted free agency.[9] He signed a one-year, $1.65 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles on December 11, 1992.[12] He played in 145 games with the Orioles, batting .252 with four home runs and 47 RBI.[9] After one season with the Orioles, he again entered free agency on October 29, 1993.[9] Reynolds signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres on January 28, 1994,[13] before being traded to the California Angels on March 29 for Hilly Hathaway.[14] The 1994 season was Reynolds' final season in the major leagues.

Reynolds led the league in double plays turned by a second baseman five times and in errors committed by a second baseman four times, and won three Gold Glove awards for his play at second base.

Broadcasting

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Reynolds at the 2008 World Series

Reynolds joined ESPN in 1996 as a lead studio analyst on Baseball Tonight. He appeared at major baseball events 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.[citation needed] However, he was fired from the network in July 2006 following accusations of sexual harassment.[15] Reynolds called the incident "a total misunderstanding," claiming that a hug he had given a woman had been misinterpreted.[16] Reynolds filed a $5 million lawsuit against ESPN for payment of the remainder of his contract.[17][18] ESPN settled the case with Reynolds in April 2008, and paid him a seven-figure sum.[19]

Reynolds joined MLB.com as a commentator in June 2007.[20] In April 2008, he joined Mets pre-game and post-game coverage on SportsNet New York as a baseball commentator.[21] Reynolds also worked with TBS on their Sunday baseball telecasts, as well as the 2008 MLB playoffs.

Reynolds has been an analyst on MLB Network since its launch in January 2009.[22] Reynolds regularly appears on MLB Tonight, Quick Pitch, Diamond Demo and MLB Network's breaking news and special event coverage, including the All-Star Game, Postseason and World Series. He was nominated for a Sports Emmy Award for his work as a studio analyst on MLB Network in 2011, 2012 and 2013.[23][24][25]

Reynolds became a member of the MLB on Fox pregame show in 2012, which at the time was being produced out of MLB Network's studios. Reynolds worked on Fox's pregame show for two years alongside Matt Vasgersian and Kevin Millar. After the 2013 season, Reynolds, along with Tom Verducci, was promoted to join Joe Buck on the network's top broadcast team following the retirement of lead analyst Tim McCarver, which lasted for two seasons until the duo was replaced by John Smoltz in 2016.

Personal life

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Reynolds is a Christian[26][27] and is the youngest of eight children. His brother Don Reynolds is a former outfielder who played parts of two seasons with the San Diego Padres.[28]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Bellamy, Ron (February 11, 1994). "Second chance is all he seeks". The Register-Guard. Oregon. p. 1B – via Google News Archive.
  2. ^ "Six new inductees join Oregon Hall of Fame". The Register-Guard. Oregon. June 30, 1998. p. 2D.
  3. ^ "Corvallis upends Yakima for title". Ellensburg Daily Record. Washington. United Press International. August 28, 1978. p. 6 – via Google News Archive.
  4. ^ "6th Round of the 1979 MLB June Amateur Draft". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  5. ^ "1st Round of the 1980 MLB June Draft-Secondary Phase". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  6. ^ "2013 Inductees | Hall of Fame". Cañada College. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  7. ^ Kragthorpe, Kurt (June 15, 1983). "Owen-Reynolds combination clicks". Deseret News. Salt Lake City, Utah. p. 8B – via Google News Archive.
  8. ^ "New York Yankees vs Seattle Mariners Box Score: September 2, 1983". Baseball-Reference.com. September 2, 1983. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h "Harold Reynolds Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  10. ^ "Seattle Mariners vs Chicago White Sox Box Score: September 30, 1990". Baseball-Reference.com. September 30, 1990. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  11. ^ "Roberto Clemente Award Winners | History". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  12. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASEBALL; Orioles Get Reynolds". The New York Times. December 12, 1992. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  13. ^ "Padres sign Reynolds". United Press International. January 28, 1994. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  14. ^ "Trade by Padres makes Angels next stop for Harold Reynolds". Tampa Bay Times. March 30, 1994. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  15. ^ "ESPN's Reynolds let go over sexual harassment". Evansville Courier & Press. Associated Press. July 26, 2006. Archived from the original on November 7, 2006. Retrieved July 26, 2006.
  16. ^ Marchand, Andrew (July 26, 2006). "Accused of Sexual Harassment: Reynolds Wants ESPN Job Back". New York Post. Archived from the original on August 19, 2006. Retrieved July 26, 2006.
  17. ^ "Reynolds sues ESPN for $5 million". MSNBC. Associated Press. October 31, 2006. Archived from the original on November 15, 2007. Retrieved October 19, 2007.
  18. ^ Sandomir, Richard (February 8, 2007). "Reynolds's Pact Is Included in Amended ESPN Suit". The New York Times. Retrieved May 4, 2010.
  19. ^ "ESPN, Harold Reynolds settle lawsuit". Los Angeles Business Journal. April 16, 2008.
  20. ^ "Former All-Star Reynolds joins MLB.com". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. June 11, 2007. Archived from the original on June 16, 2007.
  21. ^ Cerrone, Matthew (April 24, 2008). "Harold Reynolds joins Mets Pre Game". Mets Blog. Archived from the original on July 24, 2008. Retrieved April 24, 2008.
  22. ^ "MLB Network Personalities". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media.
  23. ^ "NATIONAL ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS & SCIENCES ANNOUNCES NOMINEES FOR THE 32ND ANNUAL SPORTS EMMY® AWARDS, AL MICHAELS TO RECEIVE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD". Emmy Awards. March 22, 2010. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  24. ^ "NOMINEES FOR THE 33RD ANNUAL SPORTS EMMY® AWARDS". Emmy Awards. March 20, 2012. Archived from the original on March 26, 2014. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  25. ^ "THE NOMINEES FOR THE 34th ANNUAL SPORTS EMMY® AWARDS". Emmy Awards. March 20, 2013. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  26. ^ Williamson, Don (August 5, 1990). "Harold Reynolds -- This Seattle Mariner Uses Baseball As A Platform For Teaching Kids". The Seattle Times. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
  27. ^ "Harold Reynolds". The Goal. Archived from the original on May 12, 2019. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
  28. ^ McMane, Fred (June 6, 1979). "Wolverines Popular In Baseball Draft". Times-Union. Associated Press – via Google News Archive.
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