Mike Flanagan was a left-handed pitcher who played for the Baltimore Orioles for most of his career. He was drafted by the Orioles in 1973 and made his major league debut in 1975. Flanagan quickly established himself as a reliable starter for the Orioles, earning a spot in the starting rotation in 1977. He was a key member of the Orioles' pitching staff during the late 1970s and early 1980s, helping the team win the World Series in 1983.
Flanagan was known for his control and his ability to change speeds on his pitches. He was not a power pitcher, but he was able to keep hitters off balance with his mix of pitches. He was also a good fielder and a decent hitter for a pitcher.
Flanagan had his best season in 1979, when he went 23-9 with a 3.08 ERA and finished second in the American League Cy Young Award voting. He won 15 or more games in four other seasons and finished his career with a record of 167-143 and a 3.90 ERA.
After leaving the Orioles in 1987, Flanagan played for the Toronto Blue Jays and the Baltimore Orioles again before retiring in 1992. He then worked as a broadcaster for the Orioles and was eventually named the team's executive vice president of baseball operations in 2002. He held that position until 2008, when he resigned to return to broadcasting.
Flanagan was a beloved figure in Baltimore, both for his success on the field and his contributions to the community off the field. He was known for his sense of humor and his willingness to help others. He was also a respected member of the baseball community, serving on the board of directors for the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association.
Tragically, Flanagan took his own life in 2011 at the age of 59. His death was a shock to the baseball world and to the city of Baltimore, where he was remembered as a great player and a great person. The Orioles honored Flanagan with a moment of silence before a game and wore a patch with his number 46 on their uniforms for the rest of the season.
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