Hugging Harold Reynolds

HHR is Dead. Long Live HHR.

noreply@blogger.com (Hugging Harold Reynolds) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:44:00 +0000

To our dozens of HHR loyalists. The HHR you knew and loved has died and gone to heaven. Tumblr heaven. From here out, updates will be made at the new, streamlined HuggingHaroldReynolds.com which directs to huggingharoldreynolds.tumblr.com.

Thank you for your loyalty, love and support. See you on the flip side.

Only in America: Jive Turkey

noreply@blogger.com (Hugging Harold Reynolds) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 16:07:00 +0000

CBS Miami: Don King’s Turkey Giveaway Canceled After Truck Hijacked

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Hundreds of needy South Floridians were disappointed to learn Friday that a truck loaded with Christmas turkeys to be donated by boxing promoter Don King had been hijacked.

Don King’s spokesman Robert Weneck said the truck full of 2,000 turkeys bound for South Florida went missing over night. The truck was found abandoned near Pompano Beach sometime Friday morning, according to Weneck.

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Blue Pulaski's 2011 Man Of The Year

noreply@blogger.com (Hugging Harold Reynolds) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 16:32:00 +0000

The 2011 Man of The Year award was a unanimous choice. The hands-down winner received 100% of the one vote counted and I think you'll agree that nobody is more deserving of this prestigious honor than Mr. 3000 himself, Derek Jeter...especially after reading this report from the New York Post's smokeshow reporter Tara Palmeri:

“Derek has girls stay with him at his apartment in New York, and then he gets them a car to take them home the next day. Waiting in his car is a gift basket containing signed Jeter memorabilia, usually a signed baseball,” the friend dished.

“This summer, he ended up hooking up with a girl who he had hooked up with once before, but Jeter seemed to have forgotten about the first time and gave her the same identical parting gift, a gift basket with a signed Derek Jeter baseball,” the pal said. “He basically gave her the same gift twice because he’d forgotten hooking up with her the first time!”

Now, you're boy Blue is by no means some Yankee honk, in fact I've spent most of my life hating on the man and socially rumor-mongering about a false intimate relationship with teammate and noted swinger, A-rod. But I'm maturing in my old age, I'm learning to appreciate the significant accomplishments of Jeter and have begun to see him for what he really is, a genteel lover and a role model.

So congratulations Mr. Jeter and here's to another 3,000! (Due to HHR budget constraints we were not able to produce a commemorative video, so please just listen to the narration of this trailer for the HBO documentary on Jeter's quest for 3,000 and see if you can determine with certainty whether they're talking about his quest for 3,000 hits on the field or if they're in fact referring to his chase for 3,000 babes off it...)

-Blue Pulaski

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Actor Mounts Campaign to Be Cast as Magic

noreply@blogger.com (Hugging Harold Reynolds) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 16:22:00 +0000

After retweeting a press release announcing the casting of Tug Coker as Larry Bird and noting my interest in the coming-soon-to-Broadway Magic Bird, I was hit up with a Tweet from actor Leonard Dozier who (with a release of his own) is vying to play Bird's rival opposite Coker.

From the release...

Thus, miscasting either of these icons, even with the right names, can be catastrophic for the production.

On the other hand, casting a Magic that looks, sounds and acts like him maybe critical to this production with Bird already cast. Leonard Dozier, a 6'4 actor and former basketball player, would be quite convincing as Magic. While his name wouldn't have theatergoers rushing to the box-office, the word of mouth about his performance would. Besides, those not interested in sports or Magic and Bird aren't going regardless.

Judge for yourself with Dozier's sizzle real which includes his best Magic impression, a little singing and, of course, baby sky hooks.

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A Heroes Thank You: An Interview with Warrick Dunn

noreply@blogger.com (Hugging Harold Reynolds) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 17:19:00 +0000

Jaime from over at The Sports Hernia puts on his serious face and talks with former NFL star Warrick Dunn about The Crown Royal Heroes Project.

Read the full interview here.

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Audio: Lamond Murray on Recruiting, Lockout and Overseas Hoops

noreply@blogger.com (Hugging Harold Reynolds) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 16:17:00 +0000

Our very own ‎Kevin Owens talks with former NBA star and current NCSA staffer Lamond Murray about college recruiting, the lockout, and his experiences with overseas basketball.

Click here to listen to the interview.

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Sweetness: Author Interview with Walter Payton Biographer Jeff Pearlman

noreply@blogger.com (Hugging Harold Reynolds) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 14:53:00 +0000

I was but a pre-teen in the 80’s. As the 90’s came and high school began and nostalgia kicked in, outside of my beloved Philadelphia Eagles, there wasn’t much cooler from the Reagan era than the’85 Bears, widely regarded as the greatest team to ever step on the gridiron.

The names are legendary – from Ditka to Dent to Singletary – but none more so than the great Walter Payton, who dominated his way to the all-time NFL rushing title with both power and grace.

While the exact dates escape me, I also remember his tragic illness, and the outpouring of emotion for such a wonderful human whose life was cut short.

The thing is, like all people, famous people particularly, there is always a deeper complexity.

I am a big fan of author Jeff Perlman ever since I read The Bad Guys Won. I interviewed him for both Boys Will Be Boys and The Rocket That Fell to Earth. When I saw the backlash he was getting for his latest biography, Sweetness: The Enigmatic Life of Walter Payton, I had to reach out and grab a copy.

What I took from the book is hard to describe. For the most part, I want to dismiss Payton as an egotistical prima donna who thinks the world owes him for being God’s gift to sport. But I can’t fully do that. The reason is you just need to put things in perspective. Were this guy not the one of the greatest athletes who ever lived, we wouldn’t even have the chance to reflect on his enigmatic life.

To his credit, and contrary to what his critics might say, Pearlman is fair. He doesn’t gloss over unsavory topics, nor does he minimize Payton’s greatness both on and off the field. He paints a full picture, and (as he always does) does so in a very entertaining way.

You can read my interview here at 30Nothings.com.

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Never Nervous

noreply@blogger.com (Hugging Harold Reynolds) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 23:39:00 +0000

Or is there some other Ellison family trait we aren't aware of?

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Separated at Birth: All the Kings Horses...

noreply@blogger.com (Hugging Harold Reynolds) — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 21:14:00 +0000

Saw Puss N Boots today. Papelbon was magnificent as Humpty Dumpty.

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Arlen, TX Prop Comic Bobby Hill Working as Cowboy Ball Boy

noreply@blogger.com (Hugging Harold Reynolds) — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 22:13:00 +0000

BWB Radio, Episode 35: Interview with Poker Pro Jennicide

noreply@blogger.com (Hugging Harold Reynolds) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 19:33:00 +0000

Jennifer "Jennicide" Leigh, poker pro, Playboy model, World of Warcraft enthusiast and one-time computer hacker joins us to talk about the International Poker Federation's Nations Cup, her introduction from role playing games to online poker, her budding, albeit sometimes uncomfortable, modeling experience and more.

She also dishes some on the likes of Phil Helmuth and Scott Fischman.

BWB Radio, Episode 35 by Blogs with Balls

The IFP’s inaugural Duplicate Poker Nations Cup will be contested by teams of top players from 12 countries with the initial phase held in capsules on the EDF Energy London Eye. The tournament is on November 17 and 18 and will be accompanied by a Festival of Mind Sports under the banner of the UK Mind Sports Association. Individual sports will include Chess, Draughts, Go, Bridge and Xiangqi (Chinese Chess).

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Basketball Never Stops

noreply@blogger.com (Hugging Harold Reynolds) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 18:07:00 +0000

Sweet Georgia Brown really makes this.

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Vitaminwater Kicks Off its Criminally Insane Athletes Marketing Campaign

noreply@blogger.com (Hugging Harold Reynolds) — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 18:59:00 +0000

Next up, "Kobe Did It."

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Rich Camerillo is Fresh to Death

noreply@blogger.com (Hugging Harold Reynolds) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 13:26:00 +0000

Early last week I picked up a box of 1990 Pro Set NFL cards for dirt cheap at the dirt flea market for the joy of randomly tearing open packs and amazing my friends.

Yesterday, that gift kept giving when I learned that DJ Pauly D is the bastard child of then-Cards punter Rich Camarillo.

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Fantasy "Expert" Brandon Funston Must Know He's Full of Poop

noreply@blogger.com (Hugging Harold Reynolds) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 00:54:00 +0000

The term fantasy expert is a plain old farce. Yet, some people can honestly believe they have an inkling more knowledge than the casual fan because they can read stats better or quicker or more in depth or something.

And those people can keep a straight face when others refer to them with such an elaborate title and hand them a check. That's really what sets fantasy experts apart - the ability to not laugh at the naïveté of the public and their bosses.

Take Brandon Funston for example. Just this week he advised Yahoo players to not just sit Plax Burress, but to drop him altogether after his paltry start. If that's not mailing in a segment, I don't know what is.

The former inmate (Plax not Fun) responded with a breakout game that included 3 TDs.

I can't wait to hear Fun lament next week about grabbing Plax off the waiver wires after he and Sanchize have turned a corner and become more familiar with one another. Likely he'll have to hold in his amusement of knowing how full of poop it all is.

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BWB Radio, Episode 34

noreply@blogger.com (Hugging Harold Reynolds) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 19:07:00 +0000

Kevin Owens knows a thing or two about playing basketball overseas. The 7-footer who recently hung up the hightops caught up with fellow Euro-vet Brandon Jennings who recently partnered with MISSION Athletecare™ in promoting their groundbreaking and game-changing Court Grip™ technology, "a proprietary, patent-pending formula that is scientifically engineered to enhance traction and combat the negative effects of dusty, worn-out courts." Fitting since such courts seem to be the only place these days locked out NBAers can catch a pickup game.

Blogs With Balls Radio, Episode 34 by Blogs with Balls

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Tigers' Great Hope

noreply@blogger.com (Hugging Harold Reynolds) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 14:21:00 +0000

With the Detroit Tigers clawing to stay in the playoffs. I thought it was important to give the national audience a little more perspective of the team. This was released right after the (brief) hero of last night's game was sent to the minors. Enjoy.

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Separated at Birth: David Freese is on Your Side

noreply@blogger.com (Hugging Harold Reynolds) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 00:21:00 +0000

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Old Phillies Fan's Carpet Doesn't Match the Drapes

noreply@blogger.com (Hugging Harold Reynolds) — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 17:55:00 +0000

C'Mon, cuz. If you're gonna rock the full uni during Game 1 of the NLDS, at least match up homes with aways.

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Honeymoon in Cleveland

noreply@blogger.com (Hugging Harold Reynolds) — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 17:33:00 +0000

There are few things I love receiving more on this site than photos of Browns fans tailgating, be it making fun of Braylon Edwards, idolizing Brady Quinn, or celebrating one's nuptials.

These two got married yesterday...no lie.

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The Ultimate Called Shot

noreply@blogger.com (Hugging Harold Reynolds) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 14:30:00 +0000

Blue's shot caller of the year goes to the Tampa Bay Rays announcer who, right before the last pitch to Evan Longoria, blurts out what everyone was thinking at that moment: "Let's go. I'm ready to party!" (1:15 in the video)...

The notorious Tampa strip clubs must have made a killing last night.

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CBS Propagates a Punter's Message of Hate

noreply@blogger.com (Hugging Harold Reynolds) — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 19:18:00 +0000

Giants punter Steve Weatherford told the world today what he thought about the City of Brotherly Love and has somehow managed to stay alive (so far).

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Jesse Holley is Coming, Elizabeth

noreply@blogger.com (Hugging Harold Reynolds) — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 23:36:00 +0000

In case you missed it...at the end of overtime in the Dallas-SF game, Jesse Holley reminded us no less thana half-dozen times that this is, in fact, the big one.

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Philadelpia Phillies: Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

noreply@blogger.com (Hugging Harold Reynolds) — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 13:37:00 +0000

I mean...who wouldn't want to bite the head off of Jimmy Rollins?

Courtesy of lead decorator Morgan at Sophisticakes in Drexel Hill, PA.

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The Cynic's Guide to College Football: Week 3 Thoughts

noreply@blogger.com (Hugging Harold Reynolds) — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 16:02:00 +0000

Some quick hit observations from the college gridiron . . .

The 11^th Commandment

Baylor is threatening lawsuits to hold up Texas A&M’s trip to the SEC and Oklahoma’s trip west to the PAC-12. Can’t say I blame them—if the Big 12 collapses, the Bears go from sucking on a BCS conference teat to scheduling conference games with North Texas or Rice. The only reason they’re in this position today is because former Texas governor Anne Richards was a Baylor grad and refused to sign the legislation allowing the Big 12 to be formed unless Baylor got in on the deal. Still, it seems a little shady for a Baptist school to be engaging in this kind behavior. Too bad “Thou shalt not extort thy fellow conference members” isn’t in the Bible somewhere.

“Um, God? I think I’m missing the sports section.”

What Not to Wear

What have we learned about uniforms in the first two weeks? If they involve the words “throwback” or “retro”, your team will probably look pretty sharp (e.g. Michigan vs. Notre Dame). If they use the words “futuristic” or “Nike Pro Combat,” they’ll either suck beyond words (Boise State vs. Georgia) or they’ll look like something the cast at Medieval Times should be wearing (Maryland).

The funniest thing is that, 40 years from now, Maryland will pull these back out as throwbacks.

Stat Line of the Year

In their 44-0 loss at Michigan State this week, Florida Atlantic netted just 48 yards total offense. The Owls were 0-for-10 on 3^rd down conversions and netted just one first down—for the game. FAU coach Howard Schnellenberger has already announced his retirement and apparently the “short timer” work ethic has worked its magic on the offense.

“Listen, boys. Happy Hour down at Rooster’s starts in 20 minutes. So let’s not drag this one out, OK?”

Somebody Has to Start, Right?

For much of the last year, Texas fans had to be wondering just how bad did Garrett Gilbert have to be before coach Mack Brown would pull the plug. On Saturday, we apparently got an answer: 2-of-8 for eight yards, three three-and-outs and two interceptions in five possessions bad. (For you math geeks, that’s a pass efficiency rating of negative-16.6.) Brown has now announced that Case McCoy and David Ash will split snaps this week. In other words, Texas gone from one quarterback controversy to another (although most UT fans are clamoring for McCoy-to-Shipley v. 2.0) and Gilbert has gone from 13-game starter to 3^rd string.

You don’t have to be a genius to have the same reaction to Gilbert’s numbers.

This Week in True Crime

A college football player gets a public intox or disturbing the peace ticket? No one bats an eyelash. He gets a DUI or gets caught shoplifting? Makes page 7 of the sports section and he has to run a few extra wind sprints? Commit an assault, embezzlement
or other felony? OK, now you’re talking suspensions. But Fresno State coach Pat Hill is now facing a new dilemma in college athletics: what exactly do you do with the two dozen football players currently under investigation for welfare fraud?

Welfare fraud affects us all.

This Will be on the Blooper Reel with the DVD Extras

SMU is already actively lobbying to take Texas A&M’s spot in a new Big 12. I’m guessing the Mustangs’ onside kick attempt against the Aggies in week one won’t be making the highlight tape they send to Commissioner Dan Beebe.

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