Blockbuster morning for former ESPN baseball analyst Harold Reynolds – not only is he taking ESPN to court over his summer firing, but the former All-Star talked to his local newspaper in Oregon.

Just when you think you’re safe talking to your local paper – they stab you in the back with some great journalism. The writer pulled the formal complaint filed by a former ESPN production assistant:

The complaint with the superior court of New Britain, Conn., describes a June 19 dinner with an ESPN employee that Reynolds met for the first time that day. He believes it is the source of his dismissal.

“He gave a brief and innocuous hug to a female intern,” the legal brief said. “The intern, at the time, never expressed any discomfort, and in fact had dinner with Mr. Reynolds at a Boston Market restaurant that same evening after he had given her this brief hug. Mr. Reynolds has never seen her since then …”

Three weeks later, Reynolds was called into the office of ESPN executive Norby Williamson and was asked about the incident. He denied any wrongdoing. Two weeks after that, he was called in again and told he was being fired. Reynolds said no reason was given, and that he was so shocked, he didn’t ask for one.

Dammit. So our source was sort of right. There was a hug, it was an intern, and it all went down at a below-average chain restaurant. Guess that means everyone will have to come up with some clever jokes about the Bigger, Better, Boston Carver Combo.

As for the court case itself … it appears as if perhaps Reynolds may get a portion of his contract back. But he may need a crowbar to pry it out of the grubby paws of ESPN. Much more after the jump.

The complaint charges that ESPN has refused to give Reynolds a copy of his personnel file as required by Connecticut law.

Since the firing, Reynolds has had two mediation sessions with ESPN representatives.

“I wanted to be reinstated, and I wanted my good name restored,” Reynolds said. “The powers-that-be … wouldn’t allow it.”

Since his dismissal, Reynolds has lost a couple of endorsements, including a national deal with Kellogg’s Cereal.

But Reynolds is risking a lot by taking this to court, because further details of Reynolds’ Bristol indiscretions are very likely to emerge. Wonder how his wife will handle those. You really should check out the story – it’s probably the most in-depth profile we’ve read of Reynolds. Ever. Not that we’ve been scouring the net for all things Reynolds.

For now, Sports Illustrated has the story prominently placed on its website, but is only offering up the AP version. Who will chime in for the Bible?

Harold Reynolds sues ESPN (Portland Tribune)
Reynolds sues ESPN over firing (USA Today)

[Update - Love those anonymous emailers. A reader writes: As someone that used to work at ESPN up in Bristol as a P.A., I know that Boston Market very well. We had a big company softball league and my team had a policy that if we won we'd go to Chili's and if we lost we'd go to The Market. We went to the Market very often. Harold... Harold, Harold, Harold.]