Reynolds fired from Baseball Tonight

[Thump]

Originally Posted by THEWOOD

I read this morning that he wants his job back.

You mean the the article posted 7 posts above yours?

[Dryden]

Originally Posted by buckeyefool

If you read the book espn the uncensored history, you would see Tirico was actually accused of much worse. According to the book, Tirico chased a women in his car when she left a party after she refused to have sex with him. The book if half of it is true is a veryeye opening book.

If you read the byline, you'll see that that book was written by Mike Freeman, noted reverse-racist and sensationalist.

'Nuff said.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

Reynolds sues ESPN for wrongful firing

DAVE COLLINS

Associated Press

HARTFORD, Conn. - Former ESPN baseball analyst Harold Reynolds sued the network for at least $5 million Tuesday, saying he was wrongly fired after a female intern complained about what he called a "brief and innocuous" hug.
Reynolds joined the sports network in 1996 after a dozen seasons as a major leaguer and was fired July 24. According to his lawsuit, filed in New Britain Superior Court, ESPN terminated his new six-year, $6 million contract without specific reasons.
"I have tried everything possible to handle this situation quietly behind the scenes," Reynolds said in a statement released Tuesday. "After numerous conversations and multiple mediation discussions with ESPN executives it is clear that ESPN had no intention of solving this problem amicably."
Reynolds is seeking the money owed to him under the remainder of his contract, including interest and lost earnings. He is also asking the court for damages for lost future opportunities.
ESPN spokesman Josh Krulewitz said Tuesday that Reynolds' allegations are without merit and the network stands by its decision to terminate his contract.
"We have no further comment now that litigation has begun," Krulewitz said.
According to the lawsuit, ESPN terminated Reynolds' contract "for cause," but gave no further explanation or specific reasons. It also alleges that ESPN has refused to give Reynolds or state labor officials a copy of his personnel file.
His contract, according to the lawsuit, said he could only be fired for "failure to perform," which required "intentional or continual activities" contrary to ESPN's instructions, or else required "willful or egregious action ... which would constitute an act of moral turpitude."
"Mr. Reynolds has never, in his career as a baseball player or with ESPN, intentionally engaged in a 'failure to perform' his duties in any material respect," the lawsuit said. "For example, he was punctual, well-prepared, professional, creative and personable, both in the studio and on remote assignments."
Joseph Garrison, a New Haven-based lawyer for Reynolds, said, "Moral turpitude, in my opinion, is not reflected by an innocuous hug. I think the case is very strong."
The lawsuit said Reynolds hugged a female intern in July and the two had dinner later the same night. Reynolds has not seen the intern since, and she made no complaints about his actions until three weeks later, the lawsuit said.
"For 11 years I served ESPN with enthusiasm and dedication," Reynolds said. "It is unfortunate that ESPN has handled this process in an unprofessional manner. At the end of the day my integrity, reputation and family are my top priorities, and for those reasons I need to set the record straight and clear my name."
Reynolds played for the Seattle Mariners, Baltimore Orioles and the California Angels before joining ESPN. He won three Gold Glove awards and one stolen base title and was a two-time All-Star.

[osugrad21]

CPD

BASEBALL NEWSWATCH



ESPN subpoenaed in lawsuit



Sunday, February 11, 2007
From wire reports
The state of Connecticut has subpoenaed ESPN to produce by next Friday the personnel files of Harold Reynolds, whom the cable network fired in July after 11 years as one of its baseball analysts.
In his $5 million wrongful-termination suit, Reynolds said that ESPN had refused to give him a copy of his files so he could learn why he was fired. He said ESPN had never specified why it dismissed him.
In what is being considered a sexual-harassment case, Reynolds has admitted only to giving a "brief, innocuous" hug to a female intern.

Cont'd...

[billmac91]

I thought a pretty good read from Deadspin, albeit quite old. Baseball tonight sucks without Harold Reynolds. The guys they have hired to replace him have been as bad as Emmit Smith in football. Lot's fumbling around, poor grammer, and brutal analysis.

It's also shocking Reynolds was fired after some of the stories out of Bristol with current staff. 2 sides to every story, but I hope Harold wins his lawsuit.

Field Trips: Our Interview With Harold Reynolds