HARTFORD, Conn. – ESPN baseball analyst Steve Phillips acknowledged having an affair with an assistant at the cable network and has taken a leave of absence during the MLB playoffs.

ESPN said it took "appropriate disciplinary action" when this happened in August, but would not comment further.

Police say 22-year-old ESPN production assistant Brooke Hundley began calling Phillips' wife, Marni, on Aug. 5 after he broke off the affair and sent her a letter graphically describing their relationship.

Phillips, 46, is a former general manager of the New York Mets. In 1998, Phillips admitted having sex with a team employee, who sued for sexual harassment. That case was settled out of court.