When the Baltimore Sun interviewed him prior to the 2007 season, he was asked about the move he was most proud of, to which he responded, “not drafting [Nick] Markakis as a pitcher.”In March 2010, Mike Flanagan returned to the Baltimore organization as a color analyst for the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network, after having spent more than 30 years with the Birds as a player, coach, front office executive and broadcaster.
This made him the first Cy Young Award winner to garner a general manager-level position in baseball.When the Orioles hired Andy MacPhail in June 2007, Flanagan’s responsibilities in the front office were lessened, after six years as Baltimore’s top executive. "Did you ever notice Mike when he came off the mound after a good inning?"
Unfortunately, the story does not mention if Flanagan ever sent the autograph to Mr. Keough.In September 1981, Mike developed tendonitis in his elbow.
WAR as Oriole: 0.7 Career WAR: 44.2. At 14, he was pitching in the Babe Ruth finals in Fairbanks. He pitched very well, amassing a 6-1 record for the Red Wings. He was a barnstormer who would pitch the first game right-handed and then pitch the nightcap left-handed. Flanagan’s death became known during the Orioles’ game with the Twins on Wednesday night at Target Field in Minnesota. Relying mainly on breaking balls, Flanagan had a career record of 167-143 and was an All-Star in 1978, when he won 19 games.Flanagan joined the Orioles’ front office in December 2002 after four seasons as a team broadcaster and two one-year stints as the team’s pitching coach. The family speculated that he may have written several letters, but the letter to Flanagan was the only one that got through. He also pitched in the Cape Cod League before graduating from UMass with a record of 12 – 1. Mike had tied for the Southern League in shutouts while with Asheville in 1974, and he led the International League in 1975 with his .765 winning percentage. We clocked it at 89 mph tonight and only five others have clocked faster this season.”An interesting phenomenon occurred during the 1979 season, and the press dubbed it the “Mike and Ken Show.”His 23-9 record was established with 190 strikeouts in 265 2/3 innings. He struck out 1,491 batters and pitched 101 complete games in his career. Flanagan came in and walked one but retired the side without allowing a hit. He had a near no-hitter, giving up a ninth-inning, two-out hit (a home run to Cleveland’s Gary Alexander) on September 26.
Mike grew up playing catch with both his father and grandfather. The team did not have a general manager during his executive tenure, but as a vice president he performed many of the duties associated with that post through 2008.In addition to his wife, his survivors include his daughters, Kerry, Kathryn and Kendall. He had been the iron man of the O’s staff, making 157 consecutive starts since 1977. John Stokoe signed him, convinced his arm was sound.After being drafted by Baltimore, he went 4-1 in ten starts in 1973 (Miami), 12-10 in 1974 (Miami and Asheville), and 13-4 in 1975 (Rochester) before being called up to the big club. They said that he did not leave a note, but that an investigation showed he “was upset about financial issues.”Flanagan pitched for 15 seasons in two stints with the Orioles at a time when they were usually pennant contenders. His minor-league record was 35-16, and Flanagan sported a 2.21 earned run average.He appeared in two games for the Orioles in 1975. He had pitched in 15 games for Baltimore that season.