ESPN fires baseball analyst Steve Phillips

WILTON, Conn., Oct. 26 (UPI) -- ESPN has fired baseball analyst Steve Phillips, the U.S. sports cable channel said Sunday, days after his affair with an ESPN employee became public.

The New York Post reported last week Phillips, who once worked as general manager of the New York Mets, had been involved in an affair with Brooke Hundley, a 22-year-old ESPN production assistant. ESPN issued a statement Sunday saying Phillips "is no longer working for ESPN."

"His 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 statement said.

Phillips' agent, Steve Lefkowitz, said in a statement Phillips "is voluntarily admitting himself to an inpatient treatment facility to address his personal issues," The New York Times reported.

Phillips, 46, declined to press charges against Hundley last week despite her alleged repeated contacts with his wife and teenage son.

"I have extreme concerns about the health and safety of my kids and myself," Phillips said in a statement given to police in Wilton, Conn.

The Post, citing a source, said ESPN suspended Phillips for a week after he admitted to a fling with Hundley. He told police the harassment began soon after he broke it off.

Phillips had to take a leave of absence from the Mets in 1998 due to several affairs and allegations of sexual harassment by a Mets employee.