Random thoughts while wondering what ever happened to Dennis O'Toole:

It's All About the Ladies Dept.: This Harold Reynolds dismissal case continues to be interesting. 

From what I've seen, Harold's biggest mistake was being a nice guy.  And unless ESPN speaks up, they are the ones that look like they are hiding something, not Harold.  And thus far, ESPN has wanted to avoid presenting evidence rather than bringing it to light.

Sexual harassment is a hard thing to prove, but a very easy thing to accuse somebody of.  It is especially easy if that person is a high profile broadcaster who played in the major leagues.  It's real easy to point a finger and in these situations, the male employee is generally guilty until proven innocent and often let go because the accuser tells the company if they don't fire him, they will be sued.

So, let's suppose for a moment, Reynolds hugged this woman, who turned out being uncomfortable with it and went to her supervisor.  In the course of that conversation, the woman used the word "attorney."  At that point, ESPN dumps Harold Reynolds so they can wash their hands of a possible settlement claiming that "behavior of this kind is not tolerated and you can see we acted responsibly."

If, as ESPN has suggested, that Reynolds behavior was a part of a discernible and regular pattern yet they chose to do nothing prior to last year, it puts them in the cross hairs for a major lawsuit.  Firing Reynolds helps minimize their exposure. What ESPN didn't count on was the resolve of Harold Reynolds.  Apparently, Reynolds will risk whatever mud will be slung because he felt like he was unjustly fired and that his reputation is taking a beating.

The fact that Reynolds is willing to stick his neck out leads me to believe that there is far more to this story yet to come.

Spring Fling Dept.: It's the first sure sign of spring as Ozzie Gullien opens his mouth again and blasts someone.  Meanwhile, on the field, his team hasn't won a game yet.

Again, Sox fans, not wishing to sound like the voice of doom, but set the bar low this year or you will be disappointed.

Pay for Play Dept.: Well, you really didn't expect the McCaskey's to pay for Lovie Smith's new contract did you?

Dish Dirt Dept.:  It's almost official: Major League Baseball is about to screw it's fans and there is nothing anyone (including your federal government) can do about it.  Here's the Fox schedule for you folks without satellite dishes like me.

Temper Tantrum Dept.: Instead of going to a team that wants him, looks like Jake Plummer is going to stamp his feet, hold his breath and stay home.

Truth Hurts Dept.: You can't really can't criticize your opponent for scoring even if they are way up because scoring is the object of the game.  However, scoring to help out your own son with a huge lead and ten seconds left is a bit tacky and deserving for harsh words from an opponent who just had his brains beat in and was shown up to boot.

I think the league over reacted a little bit given the circumstances.

So much for sportsmanship in the NCAA.  Miles Brand is thinking about a zero tolerance policy for coaches that actually bring up poor sportsmanship.

Clearance Sale Dept.:  Looking for an upgrade to your sad sack NFL team?  Here are some options.

Stuck in the Middle Dept.: Coming soon to an NIT near you.  But here's at least one team that will go to the big dance.

I'm Hip Dept.: Used to be athletic trainers needed tape and some ethyl chloride.  In today's game, they may also need WD-40 and wing nuts.

Con a Con Dept.:  I guess sitting in jail after be convicted of stealing your employees life savings makes you really angry and really bitter.

Blame the Messenger Dept.: Pizza Hut has been encouraging reading in schools for years, running on of the nation's most effective private sector reading programs.

Yet critics now say that because it's Pizza Hut, the program's design is to turn kids on to the evil of junk food.

What about all of the working parents that order Pizza because it's easier than cooking?  What about all the parents who allow their kids to gorge themselves on pizza and burgers and all of that convenience junk food because they've had a hard day and don't want to deal with the kitchen? 

Saying Pizza Hut is turning kids on to junk foods by using reading as a carrot is absurd.  Are they building brand recognition? Yes. Are they  contributing to the obesity of kids, not directly.  Hang that one on the parents.

Thirty Second Man Dept.: Writing a TV show is so easy, even a caveman can do it.  I would strap the people that thought of this idea to a chair and make them watch reruns of "Baby Bob" on an endless loop until the promised never to come up with anidiotic idea like this again.  What's next, the AFLAC Duckvariety hour?

Retreat Dept.:  What? The media has finally discovered how bad our government treats returning war heroes?  Fire everyone, quickly and we'll make ourselves look good.

Dancing with the B List Stars Dept.:  Boy, when all you can do is dig up Cliffy from Cheers, it really tells you how seriously Hollywood takes your show. I guess Niles Crane and Jim Dial were busy.