RIP Mike Flanagan

EMSoccerCoach · 08-25-2011, 12:09 AM

Just came across the wire at work, former O's hurler Mike Flanagan dies at 59.

BALTIMORE (AP) — Former Cy Young winner Mike Flanagan, who won 167 games over 18 seasons with Baltimore and the Toronto Blue Jays, has died.
Authorities found a body outside Flanagan’s home on Wednesday afternoon, and it was later determined to be the former left-handed pitcher. Flanagan was 59.
The Orioles confirmed Flanagan’s death Wednesday night.
Flanagan won the Cy Young Award with the Orioles in 1979 when he went 23-9 with a 3.08 ERA and five shutouts. He also played for Baltimore’s 1983 world championship
team, going 12-4 despite missing nearly three months with ligament damage in his left
knee.
He finished 167-143 with a 3.90 ERA, including 141-116 with Baltimore.
After his playing career, he worked in the Orioles’ front office and did color commentary for the team’s TV network.

Russ · 08-25-2011, 01:45 AM

Flanny took his own life. He was loved here in Baltimore. We are very sad this evening. He will be missed.

Russ · 08-25-2011, 01:47 AM

I feel like an old friend died.

Jason · 08-25-2011, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ

Flanny took his own life. He was loved here in Baltimore. We are very sad this evening. He will be missed.

Did they confirm that? I've heard it's not confirmed yet.

Couldn't turn a radio dial without hearing his games on the air in southern PA growing up.

Russ · 08-25-2011, 02:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason

Did they confirm that? I've heard it's not confirmed yet.

Couldn't turn a radio dial without hearing his games on the air in southern PA growing up.

Multiple news outlets in Baltimore have confirmed.

ukhotstove · 08-25-2011, 07:04 AM

Flanagan was my name until my Dad died and my Mum remarried, wonder if he had any family in Cork that's were my Dad's family were from.

CommishJoe · 08-25-2011, 09:30 AM

CNNSI didn't list the cause of death...

Former Cy Young winner Mike Flanagan found dead outside home - MLB - SI.com

I remember watching him pitch in the '79 series. RIP.

LeiterFanatic · 08-25-2011, 10:56 AM

Very sad. I remember him from my 1988 Strat-O-MAtic card set back when I started playing. What a shame

If this is true: it really sucks

A report from WBAL in Baltimore says that former Orioles pitcher and top executive Mike Flanagan took his own life yesterday after being "despondent" over the franchise's recent failures.

WBAL-TV Sports Director Gerry Sandusky confirmed with sources that Flanagan committed suicide "despondent over what he considered a false perception from a community he loved of his role in the team's prolonged failure."
Flanagan won the Cy Young award in 1979. He also served at the team's top executive from 2002-2008

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/mike-...#ixzz1W36HXZSz

PotatoPeeler · 08-25-2011, 11:15 AM

I haven't seen anything that indicates the cause of death.

Russ · 08-25-2011, 01:02 PM

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/mar...,4675762.story

PotatoPeeler · 08-25-2011, 01:33 PM

Thanks for the link.

I've also been seeing that he was emotionally distraught over the pathetic state of the Orioles organization and that might have been the reason he killed himself.

Russ · 08-25-2011, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PotatoPeeler

Thanks for the link.

I've also been seeing that he was emotionally distraught over the pathetic state of the Orioles organization and that might have been the reason he killed himself.

Pure speculation and pretty irresponsible journalism, IMO.

RchW · 08-25-2011, 02:52 PM

A sad event. Apparently he was quite private and may not have reached out or asked for help. I remember him well from his Blue Jays and Baltimore times as I followed the Orioles closely during Earl Weaver's tenure.

The game I remember most though was Oct 3 1987. Game 161, an excruciating 12 inning loss for the Jays. I'll never forget watching that ball go right through Manny Lee. Flanagan pitched 11 great innings only to have some questionable strategy by Jimy (one-M) load the bases for the Tigers at the end.

RIP Mike.

October 3, 1987 Toronto Blue Jays at Detroit Tigers Box Score and Play by Play - Baseball-Reference.com

Edit. This is a nice piece by Peter Gammons.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?...s_mlb&c_id=mlb

PotatoPeeler · 08-25-2011, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ

Pure speculation and pretty irresponsible journalism, IMO.

Agreed. I have no doubt that he was disappointed with the path the Orioles have been taking the last handful of seasons (thank you, Peter Angelos). Still, to infer that that was the reason he offed himself is fairly irresponsible journalism.

LeiterFanatic · 08-25-2011, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PotatoPeeler

Agreed. I have no doubt that he was disappointed with the path the Orioles have been taking the last handful of seasons (thank you, Peter Angelos). Still, to infer that that was the reason he offed himself is fairly irresponsible journalism.

I don't like the idea any more than you do but I dont see the reason why you call it irresponsible journalism. Do you have some other source that refutes the WBAL claim? Not calling you out or anything you just seem pretty certain it's not true and I was curious why?

PotatoPeeler · 08-25-2011, 06:13 PM

It's pure conjecture at this point. You want to theorize, then write an op/ed piece. Otherwise, just report the confirmed details.

RchW · 08-25-2011, 07:09 PM

Experienced police investigators have deemed it a suicide. It's quoted in several articles I read. I very much doubt that the police department would publicly discuss it unless they were very sure. A self inflicted shotgun wound to the head is pretty convincing evidence.

Russ · 08-25-2011, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RchW

Experienced police investigators have deemed it a suicide. It's quoted in several articles I read. I very much doubt that the police department would publicly discuss it unless they were very sure. A self inflicted shotgun wound to the head is pretty convincing evidence.

The part of the article where Sandusky says he killed himself because the Orioles stink is the issue. No one is doubting he killed himself.

speedy · 08-25-2011, 07:50 PM

Really sad and disturbing news. I watched him pitch against the Sox for many years and his 1979 season was terrific.

As good a pitcher he was, he was a true sportsman.

I heard an interview on the radio today that said he had been depressed of late.

My thoughts go out to his friends and family at this time.

RchW · 08-25-2011, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ

The part of the article where Sandusky says he killed himself because the Orioles stink is the issue. No one is doubting he killed himself.

Yes, you are right. I missed the point.

08-25-2011, 12:09 AM	#1
EMSoccerCoach Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2,464	RIP Mike Flanagan Just came across the wire at work, former O's hurler Mike Flanagan dies at 59. BALTIMORE (AP) — Former Cy Young winner Mike Flanagan, who won 167 games over 18 seasons with Baltimore and the Toronto Blue Jays, has died. Authorities found a body outside Flanagan’s home on Wednesday afternoon, and it was later determined to be the former left-handed pitcher. Flanagan was 59. The Orioles confirmed Flanagan’s death Wednesday night. Flanagan won the Cy Young Award with the Orioles in 1979 when he went 23-9 with a 3.08 ERA and five shutouts. He also played for Baltimore’s 1983 world championship team, going 12-4 despite missing nearly three months with ligament damage in his left knee. He finished 167-143 with a 3.90 ERA, including 141-116 with Baltimore. After his playing career, he worked in the Orioles’ front office and did color commentary for the team’s TV network. __________________ The Pastime Baseball League The Pastime Baseball League - 10-Year Recap The Pastime Boxing Association

08-25-2011, 01:45 AM	#2
Russ All Star Starter Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Essex HON! Posts: 1,923 Infractions: 0/1 (1)	Flanny took his own life. He was loved here in Baltimore. We are very sad this evening. He will be missed. __________________ If you don't love Russ, you don't love America. This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.

08-25-2011, 01:47 AM	#3
Russ All Star Starter Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Essex HON! Posts: 1,923 Infractions: 0/1 (1)	I feel like an old friend died. __________________ If you don't love Russ, you don't love America. This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.

08-25-2011, 07:04 AM	#6
ukhotstove Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: North of England Gods Country Posts: 7,175	Flanagan was my name until my Dad died and my Mum remarried, wonder if he had any family in Cork that's were my Dad's family were from. __________________ Detroit Diesel Dynasty San Antonio Calzones of Laredo Dynasty

08-25-2011, 09:30 AM	#7
CommishJoe Global Moderator Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 5,238	CNNSI didn't list the cause of death... Former Cy Young winner Mike Flanagan found dead outside home - MLB - SI.com I remember watching him pitch in the '79 series. RIP. __________________ Joe Success isn’t owned. It’s leased. And rent is due every day.

08-25-2011, 10:56 AM	#8
LeiterFanatic All Star Starter Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 1,348	Very sad. I remember him from my 1988 Strat-O-MAtic card set back when I started playing. What a shame If this is true: it really sucks A report from WBAL in Baltimore says that former Orioles pitcher and top executive Mike Flanagan took his own life yesterday after being "despondent" over the franchise's recent failures. WBAL-TV Sports Director Gerry Sandusky confirmed with sources that Flanagan committed suicide "despondent over what he considered a false perception from a community he loved of his role in the team's prolonged failure." Flanagan won the Cy Young award in 1979. He also served at the team's top executive from 2002-2008 Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/mike-...#ixzz1W36HXZSz Last edited by LeiterFanatic; 08-25-2011 at 11:02 AM.

08-25-2011, 11:15 AM	#9
PotatoPeeler Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Rapid City, SD Posts: 3,639	I haven't seen anything that indicates the cause of death. __________________ 培傑西 I have never taken a lesson on how to talk on TV in my life. - Tim McCarver Guns have only two enemies; rust and liberals. The world is a comedy to those that think; a tragedy to those that feel.

08-25-2011, 01:02 PM	#10
Russ All Star Starter Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Essex HON! Posts: 1,923 Infractions: 0/1 (1)	http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/mar...,4675762.story __________________ If you don't love Russ, you don't love America. This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.

08-25-2011, 01:33 PM	#11
PotatoPeeler Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Rapid City, SD Posts: 3,639	Thanks for the link. I've also been seeing that he was emotionally distraught over the pathetic state of the Orioles organization and that might have been the reason he killed himself. __________________ 培傑西 I have never taken a lesson on how to talk on TV in my life. - Tim McCarver Guns have only two enemies; rust and liberals. The world is a comedy to those that think; a tragedy to those that feel.

08-25-2011, 02:52 PM	#13
RchW Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Toronto ON by way of Glasgow UK Posts: 15,629	A sad event. Apparently he was quite private and may not have reached out or asked for help. I remember him well from his Blue Jays and Baltimore times as I followed the Orioles closely during Earl Weaver's tenure. The game I remember most though was Oct 3 1987. Game 161, an excruciating 12 inning loss for the Jays. I'll never forget watching that ball go right through Manny Lee. Flanagan pitched 11 great innings only to have some questionable strategy by Jimy (one-M) load the bases for the Tigers at the end. RIP Mike. October 3, 1987 Toronto Blue Jays at Detroit Tigers Box Score and Play by Play - Baseball-Reference.com Edit. This is a nice piece by Peter Gammons. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?...s_mlb&c_id=mlb __________________ Cheers RichW If you’re looking for a good cause to donate money to please consider a Donation to Parkinson’s Canada. It may help me have a better future and if not me, someone else. Thanks. “Conservatism consists of exactly one proposition …There must be in-groups whom the law protects but does not bind, alongside out-groups whom the law binds but does not protect.” Frank Wilhoit Last edited by RchW; 08-25-2011 at 02:55 PM.

08-25-2011, 06:13 PM	#16
PotatoPeeler Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Rapid City, SD Posts: 3,639	It's pure conjecture at this point. You want to theorize, then write an op/ed piece. Otherwise, just report the confirmed details. __________________ 培傑西 I have never taken a lesson on how to talk on TV in my life. - Tim McCarver Guns have only two enemies; rust and liberals. The world is a comedy to those that think; a tragedy to those that feel.

08-25-2011, 07:09 PM	#17
RchW Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Toronto ON by way of Glasgow UK Posts: 15,629	Experienced police investigators have deemed it a suicide. It's quoted in several articles I read. I very much doubt that the police department would publicly discuss it unless they were very sure. A self inflicted shotgun wound to the head is pretty convincing evidence. __________________ Cheers RichW If you’re looking for a good cause to donate money to please consider a Donation to Parkinson’s Canada. It may help me have a better future and if not me, someone else. Thanks. “Conservatism consists of exactly one proposition …There must be in-groups whom the law protects but does not bind, alongside out-groups whom the law binds but does not protect.” Frank Wilhoit

08-25-2011, 07:50 PM	#19
speedy Minors (Double A) Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 120	Really sad and disturbing news. I watched him pitch against the Sox for many years and his 1979 season was terrific. As good a pitcher he was, he was a true sportsman. I heard an interview on the radio today that said he had been depressed of late. My thoughts go out to his friends and family at this time.