Over the course of his distinct and dutiful 12 years in Major League Baseball, Harold Reynolds displayed one of those characteristics you wish more professional athletes did: He was a humanitarian.
He played a role off the diamond that earned him the Clemente Award—for charitable contributions to the community—and even plaudits from the president. A reporter who frequented the Seattle Mariners locker room during Reynolds' days with the club called him ""one of the kindest, smartest, most sensitive athletes I've ever met.""
That explains the consternation of many—including me—when ESPN swiftly and abruptly terminated Reynolds' recently signed six year/$6 million contract as one of its baseball analysts in late July. No explanation was given at the time, but the reason has since surfaced, and it seems wholly out of Reynolds' character.
While covering the Little League World Series earlier that month, Reynolds—married with a daughter—hugged a female intern and took her to dinner later that night. The agreement ends there, though. Reynolds maintains it was ""brief and innocuous."" The intern complained three weeks later, and shortly thereafter, as if her word is gospel, Reynolds got the axe.
To say these allegations of what amount to sexual harassment are not consistent with Reynolds' virtues is a self-evident statement. But it can be argued either way that ESPN made the right call. The opinion here is that the dismissal was too hastened, and without base. That's why Reynolds is in the right to take the case to court, where he is suing for $5 million.
""I have tried everything possible to handle this situation quietly behind the scenes,"" Reynolds said in a statement last week. ""After numerous conversations and multiple mediation discussions with ESPN executives it is clear that ESPN had no intention of solving this problem amicably.""
His newest contract, signed in March, stated that he could only be put out of the job under the condition of ""failure to perform,"" according to the lawsuit. This ""failure to perform"" provision would have required ""intentional or continual activities"" against ESPN's instructions, or otherwise ""willful or egregious action ... which would constitute an act of moral turpitude."" While Reynolds maintains that some employees had mention of sexual harassment consequences in their contracts, his apparently did not.
It's regrettable that it has come to this. Whether Reynolds wins the lawsuit or not, his reputation is besmirched. Not to mention, the network has lost one of its best, most insightful commentators.
""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 my family are my top priorities, and for those reasons I need to set the record straight and clear my name.""
""The last thing I wanted to do was file a lawsuit,"" Reynolds told a columnist for the Seattle Times. ""But I think there was a rush to judgment by ESPN. They didn't do a thorough investigation and I couldn't live with myself without fighting for what I think is right.""
After an undue firing, in my opinion, it's a due decision by Reynolds.
