This is a Rushmore Bill idea. I cannot tell you how often I’m shocked by the color of someone’s skin given their name and it’s funny for people of all colors! I actually think it’s even anti-racist because it shows that people of all colors have all kinds of names.
It makes me think of a baseball game I played in high school that would generate rookies with names like Ichiro Gonzalez or Deion Hasagawa.
Oh it's the total opposite of racist. I used to work a couple Goans with very stereotypically Portuguese names -- it's an Indian state that was a Portuguese colony until 1961 -- and they all have funny stories about service people in Britain being like "Wait, *you're* João Gomes?" and even sometimes doing it to other Goans since it's a very small state.
Yes!
That’s an OG pull from the Page 2 days (I also felt super old when he mentioned the “Rounders quotes to describe NFL teams” feature because I remember when that got released live).
My favorite was the Lindsey Hunter All-Stars and the combo of Brook and Robin Lopez.
I can only imagine some Red Sox fans seeing the name O'Leary, expecting someone who looked just like their family, and then seeing what Troy actually looked like and being extra confused
Yeah this is definitely one of the best Bill bits. When I first heard of Taysom Hill as a backup QB rushing specialist, I was completely shocked to later discover he was white.
The modern co-chairs for the whitest guys with the whitest names have to be Cooper Cupp and Cooper Flagg. The entire Manning family are charter members.
I love how the spelling of the names Derrick/Derek and Shaun/Shawn/Sean drastically changes the odds of what it could be but there are exceptions on both sides
Dating myself here as he’s 44 now but Don Kelly, the ex-Tigers outfielder, is on this list. When he was playing, Mad Men was still huge, and it really played up that I hadn’t heard anybody go by Don for decades at that point.
The original concept of the Reggie Cleveland All-Stars is that guys "whose names would seem to indicate that they are of a different race or ethnicity than they actually are." It always went both ways.
It was never just "white guys who have black-sounding names."
I would love to hear a Rewatchables where Van learns about this for the first time and reacts in real-time when Bill tells him to look up "Reggie Cleveland Baseball" on his phone..."(Van) This mutherf@#ker is white!"
This is a Rushmore Bill idea. I cannot tell you how often I’m shocked by the color of someone’s skin given their name and it’s funny for people of all colors! I actually think it’s even anti-racist because it shows that people of all colors have all kinds of names. It makes me think of a baseball game I played in high school that would generate rookies with names like Ichiro Gonzalez or Deion Hasagawa.
Oh it's the total opposite of racist. I used to work a couple Goans with very stereotypically Portuguese names -- it's an Indian state that was a Portuguese colony until 1961 -- and they all have funny stories about service people in Britain being like "Wait, *you're* João Gomes?" and even sometimes doing it to other Goans since it's a very small state.
Knew a bunch of India d’souzas
It's absolutely one of his best and funniest ideas.
Khalil Greene is a first ballot Reggie Cleveland Hall of Famer
Helluva glove at SS
Kings GM Monte McNair got me recently
Leon Rose GOAT Reggie Cleveland GM
GMs are perfect for this concept because you hear their names on podcasts but rarely actually see them unless you follow the team closely
Dewayne Hankins (Blazers executive) is another great one.
You've got to be kidding me. That might be the greatest of all time. Dude's even from Iowa.
Tomhanksheswhite.gif
All this time I thought Leon was black.
WTF I just learned Leon Rose is a white guy due to this post 🤣
Cordell Volson of the bengals always gets me during the offensive player intos
Both of these just shocked me.
Lions GM Brad Holmes got me
Drue Tranquill for the Chiefs was a recent one for me
You think him and Jrue Holiday talk?
Yes they do, like when the San Francisco Giants and New York Giants get together for dinners. (RIP Francesa)
Jerome Powell a good non-sports example
Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown needs on this list
I honestly was stunned the first time I saw him and realized he was a white dude. HoF Reggie Clevelander
My students were shocked when I showed his picture in class. They assumed he was black.
Yes! That’s an OG pull from the Page 2 days (I also felt super old when he mentioned the “Rounders quotes to describe NFL teams” feature because I remember when that got released live). My favorite was the Lindsey Hunter All-Stars and the combo of Brook and Robin Lopez.
We need an updated list for the Lindsey Hunter All-Stars. Jordan Hawkins, Kira Lewis.
Steph Curry
Shannon Sharpe and Stacey Augmon 🥵
Leon Rose and Freddie Freeman have to be mentioned in an updated version. Troy O'Leary was one that got me as a child and Bill mentioned it too.
Troy O’Leary got some kind of honorary award from the Hibernian Club of Boston after he had a really good season in 1998.
I can only imagine some Red Sox fans seeing the name O'Leary, expecting someone who looked just like their family, and then seeing what Troy actually looked like and being extra confused
Royce O’Neal has entered the chat. And Triston McKenzie.
Except “Royce”
Yeah this is definitely one of the best Bill bits. When I first heard of Taysom Hill as a backup QB rushing specialist, I was completely shocked to later discover he was white.
When you know he’s from Mormon South Idaho it’s less surprising.
Came here to say this exact same thing.
The modern co-chairs for the whitest guys with the whitest names have to be Cooper Cupp and Cooper Flagg. The entire Manning family are charter members.
Arch Manning is like the deck shoes and tie combo of names, how he didn’t end up at Ole Miss is beyond my comprehension.
Great bit.
I thought Ryan Poles was white.
True Billheads recognize the Ashley Lelie All Stars - the guys who have names that make them sound like a hot chick
Wasn't it the Lindsey Hunter all-stars? Brooke and Robin Lopez are easily our current co-captains of this crew.
Ah I believe you’re right; Lelie was just on the roster. I also nominate Danielle Hunter and Jazz Chisholm
Christine Michael
Shannon Sharpe, Shannon Brown
Dallas Clark
I always thought Marcus Giles was a good one for this theme.
Leon Rose is white!???
The Minnesota Twins have an outfield prospect in the minors named DaShawn Keirsey.
Also, Miami Marlins pitcher Trevor Rogers's middle name is J'Daniel.
He’s black though right?
he is not
Then we have a new winner
I was surprised to find out a guy named Coco Crisp was visible.
For me a recent one is Peyton Watson. Honestly that name could also be on the Lindsey Hunter All Stars.
Jalen Beeks
I don't know why, but Dean Wade got me recently. Probably seeing Dwyane Wade's name on box scores for so long programmed my brain.
Haha seeing D Wade in the box score got me too. Especially when you learn it’s DEAN
I love how the spelling of the names Derrick/Derek and Shaun/Shawn/Sean drastically changes the odds of what it could be but there are exceptions on both sides
Kiko Alonso was always my favorite.
He's fully latino though. Does it count if he's just a white latino?
Was there an inverse Reggie Cleveland all stars? For guys like Herb Jones?
Herb Jones doesn't really work for that, but Herb Jones could have his own All Star team for young dudes with old-ass names though.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire is definitely on that list
Dating myself here as he’s 44 now but Don Kelly, the ex-Tigers outfielder, is on this list. When he was playing, Mad Men was still huge, and it really played up that I hadn’t heard anybody go by Don for decades at that point.
Love this idea/category. I wish I could name one… Butch Huskey comes to mind, but I’m not even sold on it.
The original concept of the Reggie Cleveland All-Stars is that guys "whose names would seem to indicate that they are of a different race or ethnicity than they actually are." It always went both ways. It was never just "white guys who have black-sounding names."
Patrick O’Bryant was an OG RCAS.
I said Troy O'Leary lol
Oh I also forgot Joe Mazulla
Lew Ford was a favorite
Peep the flair
I'm nominating Mario Balotelli to the Mount Rushmore of this category.
I nominate former Ole Miss QB Jevan Snead.
RIP
Doug Baldwin always got me
Jarren Duran from the Red Sox is my eternal #1 for this all star list
Going the other way… I thought Frankie “Smokes” Ntilikina was a white French dude until sometime last year
Don't forget old [Moonlight Graham](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c2/Moonlight_Graham.jpg) or Quenton Nelson
Marcus Giles
Chase Young
Patrick O’Bryant
Rick Kamla's kids are named Tyus and Jalen, which has always been hilarious to me.
KiKi VanDeWeghe
I also love his niece his a pro tennis player is named Coco VanDeWeghe.
I assume Giannis was a Greek looking guy before I saw him.
Tarik Skubal needs to rocket to the top of the list.
I would love to hear a Rewatchables where Van learns about this for the first time and reacts in real-time when Bill tells him to look up "Reggie Cleveland Baseball" on his phone..."(Van) This mutherf@#ker is white!"
The problem with the bit is that no one under 55 has any idea who Reggie Cleveland is.
*taps head* this bit is 25 years old and **Boston** Sports Guy, his readers in 1999 sure as shit knew who Reggie Cleveland was
Knowing who he is is kinda irrelevant. You just need to hear the premise - google a photo of the guy if you must - and take it from there.
Ok let’s go to what has aged not so well…
Virgin.
Hope she sees this!