former Oriole Mike Flanagan found dead

Wow

A legend lost

Any idea how he died?

quote:

---

guy was a tremendous pitcher

---

AGREED. RIP MIKE I enjoyed watching you pitch.

ESPN reporting suicide. Shotgun to the head

I watched Mike pitch on TV at least 20 times. He was part of a very good starting staff that included (overlapping careers) Jim Palmer, Mike Cuellar, Wally Bunker, Pat Dobson and Dave McNally.

He had by far the slowest fastball. But he had a good sinker, change up that dropped and curve ball to LH batters. He out-thought the hitters.

Video: Jim Palmer reflects on Mike Flanagan's death


"It's just shock right now," said former Orioles catcher Rick Dempsey. "I know everybody that played with him loved him to death. He was the backbone of that pitching staff."

"In over a quarter century with the organization, Flanny became an integral part of the Orioles family, for his accomplishments both on and off the field," Angelos said. His loss will be felt deeply and profoundly by all of us with the ballclub and by Orioles fans everywhere who admired him. On behalf of the club, I extend my condolences to his wife, Alex; and daughters Kerry, Kathryn and Kendall."

"Mike was such a unique guy, talented, witty, funny," said Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Palmer. "You are not ready to lose someone like Mike Flanagan. But on the other side, I feel lucky to be part of the organization and have had him as a friend and a confidant and buddy, and see all facets of him."

Cal Ripken Jr. said in a statement: "I am so sorry to hear about Mike's passing. He was a good friend and teammate and our thoughts are with Alex and his family. Mike was an Oriole through and through and he will be sorely missed by family, friends and fans. This is a sad day."




==================
Random Fact: Flanagan was very good basketball player....played in his high school alumni game one year, and scored 63 points.

He played freshman basketball at UMass with Rick Pitino. Flanagan tried out for the varsity the next year. "I pulled up for a jumper on the break from the top of the key, and Julius Erving blocked it, then swoop-jammed on the other end,'' he said. "I knew then it was time to work on my slider."