Ex-Orioles Pitcher Mike Flanagan Found Dead Near Baltimore Home

By Rob Neyer - National Baseball Editor

According to various reports, former Baltimore Orioles pitcher, coach, executive, and broadcaster Mike Flanagan has been found dead on his suburban Baltimore property.

Aug 24, 2011 - Earlier in the evening, news broke that a body had been discovered on Orioles broadcaster Mike Flanagan's suburban Baltimore property. Now, there's this report:

Former Baltimore Orioles pitcher and general manager Mike Flanagan was found dead on his Baltimore County property, WBAL-TV 11 Sports Director Gerry Sandusky has confirmed through multiple sources.

Flanagan had been working as an analyst on Orioles television broadcasts this season, splitting duties with Jim Palmer (who is traveling with the Orioles this week). This was Flanagan's third stint in the broadcast booth. He had also served twice as the Orioles' pitching coach. From 2003 through 2007, Flanagan worked in the club's front office in a tandem -- first with Jim Beattie, then Jim Duquette -- that functioned as de facto general manager.

The Orioles' seventh-round draft choice in 1973, Flanagan reached the majors in 1975 and spent most of his career with Baltimore before retiring in 1992. He ranks fifth in franchise history with 141 wins, third with 450 games pitched, and third with 2,318 innings. In 1979, he went 23-9 and won the American League Cy Young Award. In the World Series that fall, Flanagan beat the Pirates in Game 1, but lost Game 5 despite pitching six strong innings.

In 1991, Flanagan was the last Oriole to pitch in old Memorial Stadium.

Longtime Orioles catcher Rick Dempsey, behind the plate for many of Flanagan's outings, said, "On the days he didn't have good stuff, he just kept coming at you. He would change the rhythm, change his speed, drop down, throw a sidearm curveball -- use every weapon in his arsenal to get you out. And then on the days when he had good stuff, you had no chance against him." Flanagan's best pitches were probably his slow curve and his heavy sinker.

Flanagan was 59 years old.

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Rob Neyer

National Baseball Editor

Rob Neyer began his career with legendary baseball author Bill James, and later worked for STATS, Inc. and ESPN.com, writing more words for that website than anyone else. Rob has written or... Read full bio

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Comments

God Bless Mike Flanagan!

We’ll miss you.

by Still Royal on Aug 24, 2011 10:29 PM EDT reply actions

Pity

Another great baseball pitcher over in the world. A big pity in the baseball circle.

www.nflsuper.com

by Alta on Aug 24, 2011 11:28 PM EDT reply actions

Mike Flanagan.

I read a story about Mike Flanagan where he said his control developed after pitching to his grandmother as a kid. Rob, what other lefties threw a heavy sinker?

by NPB33 on Aug 25, 2011 1:00 AM EDT reply actions