ESPN fires Steve Phillips

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ESPN analyst Steve Phillips was fired Sunday night over his embarrassing extramarital affair with a young assistant - and he said he is heading to rehab.

The sports cable network fired Phillips a few days after he took a leave of absence over the fling with 22-year-old underling Brooke Hundley.

Phillips' "ability to be an effective representative for ESPN has been significantly and irreparably damaged, and it became evident it was time to part ways," the network said in a statement.

A spokesman for Phillips said in an e-mail that the ex-Mets general manager "is voluntarily admitting himself to an inpatient treatment facility to address his personal issues."

ESPN released the news shortly after the start of Game 6 of the American League Championship Series between the Yankees and the Angels.

The timing was a coincidence, an ESPN spokesman insisted.

Phillips, 46, joined ESPN in 2004 and this year was promoted to provide color commentary in the network's premier broadcast, "Sunday Night Baseball."

He took a leave of absence Wednesday.

After the July affair ended, it was reported, Hundley repeatedly called Phillips' wife, Marni, and also left her a tawdry letter describing intimate locations of Phillips' birthmarks.

She also allegedly stalked his teenage son on Facebook, asking him about his parents' love life. Marni Phillips filed for divorce on Sept. 14.

While with the Mets, Phillips admitted to a 1998 bedding of a team employee.

The Phillips scandal wasn't the only embarrassment for ESPN over the weekend.

While promoting a NASCAR race, a football commentator for the sports network slimed driver Juan Pablo Montoya with a racist slur.

Montoya is "out eating a taco," Bob Griese said of the driver, who is from Colombia.

Griese, the former Miami Dolphins coach, quickly apologized for his flub, and the network said the matter was settled.

According to the New York Daily News, Phillips entered a rehabilitation center for sex addiction on Monday in an attempt to save his marriage.

[ATLBrave]

Well, after seeing that intern's picture, it's very apparent that Steve Phillips' selection in women is about on par with his GM skills.

[K26dp]

Phillips' "ability to be an effective representative for ESPN has been significantly and irreparably damaged..."

Hate to break it to ESPN, but Phillips was never an effective representative. What a waste of airtime that guy is.

I can only presume that someday he'll follow fellow ESPN sex-scandal survivor Harold Reynolds to the MLB Network.

[keller24VT]

Well, after seeing that intern's picture, it's very apparent that Steve Phillips' selection in women is about on par with his GM skills.

Very true.

[mookie3127]

Hate to break it to ESPN, but Phillips was never an effective representative. What a waste of airtime that guy is.

I can only presume that someday he'll follow fellow ESPN sex-scandal survivor Harold Reynolds to the MLB Network.

agreed. ESPN has 2 reputable baseball analysts. Peter Gammons, 1/2 the time Jason Stark, and half the time Kruk.....just b/c i like Kruk.....no homo

[Falconsfan567]

agreed. ESPN has 2 reputable baseball analysts. Peter Gammons, 1/2 the time Jason Stark, and half the time Kruk.....just b/c i like Kruk.....no homo

Has Kruk ever said anything objectively negative towards the Phillies? If he has I've never heard it. But you don't think Tim Krujiank (sp) is good and objective? I do.