View source for Harold Reynolds

{{short description|American baseball player and commentator (born 1960)}}
{{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==

===High school===
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 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=X0xWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=7esDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3472%2C8069063 |access-date=2025-01-25 |work=[[The Register-Guard]]|via=Newspapers.com |location=Oregon |page=2D}}</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===
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>

==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" />
[[File:George H. W. Bush with Harold Reynolds (P15486-24A).jpg|thumb|Reynolds (right) presents President [[George H. W. Bush]] with a Seattle Mariners baseball cap in the [[Oval Office]] in 1990.|alt=President George Bush holding a blue Seattle Mariners cap and talking to Harold Reynolds]]
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 [[Indios de Mayagüez]].

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>

In 1991, Reynolds won the [[Roberto Clemente Award]], given annually to a MLB 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]]}}</ref>
[[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.]]
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.

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==
[[File:Harold Reynolds 2008 World Series.jpg|thumb|190px|Reynolds at the [[2008 World Series]]]]

Reynolds joined [[ESPN]] in 1996 as a lead studio analyst on ''[[Baseball Tonight (MLB)|Baseball Tonight]]''. He appeared at major baseball events for ESPN, 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]]. 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><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bracht |first=Mel |date=June 10, 1999 |title=ESPN's Reynolds Enjoys Doing Color-ful CWS |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/1999/06/10/espns-reynolds-enjoys-doing-color-ful-cws/62239422007/ |access-date=2025-10-10 |website=The Oklahoman |language=en-US}}</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 |author-link=Andrew Marchand |date=July 26, 2006 |title=Accused of Sexual Harassment: Reynolds Wants ESPN Job Back |url=http://www.nypost.com/sports/accused_of_sexual_harassment_sports_andrew_marchand.htm |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 |access-date=July 26, 2006 |work=[[New York Post]]}}</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>

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]]}}</ref> In April 2008, he joined Mets pre-game and post-game coverage on [[SNY]] 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 [[MLB on TBS|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.<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]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Newman |first=Mark |date=2014-03-03 |title=Reynolds, Verducci to join Buck on FOX broadcasts |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/harold-reynolds-tom-verducci-to-join-joe-buck-on-fox-baseball-broadcasts/c-68632118 |access-date=2025-10-10 |website=MLB.com}}</ref> which lasted for two seasons until the duo was replaced by [[John Smoltz]] in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-12-22 |title=Smoltz replaces Reynolds and Verducci alongside Fox's Buck |url=https://apnews.com/1d4c355bf9304d86a8e08554d30c6ee8 |access-date=2025-10-10 |website=AP News |language=en-US}}</ref>

==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 (baseball)|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}}
* [https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/harold-reynolds/ Harold Reynolds] at [[Society for American Baseball Research|SABR]] Bio Project

{{Roberto Clemente Award}}
{{AL 2B Gold Glove Award}}
{{AL stolen base champions}}
{{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 Eugene, 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:Sports Emmy Award winners]]
[[Category:SportsNet New York people]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Corvallis, Oregon]]
[[Category:Wausau Timbers players]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American sportsmen]]
[[Category:Alaska Goldpanners of Fairbanks players]]
[[Category:21st-century American sportsmen]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]