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Mike Flanagan
Mike Flanagan in 2007
Pitcher
Born: December 16, 1951 (1951-12-16) (age 58) Manchester, New Hampshire
Batted: Left	Threw: Left
MLB debut
September 5, 1975 for the Baltimore Orioles
Last MLB appearance
September 27, 1992 for the Baltimore Orioles
Career statistics
Win-Loss record	167-143
Earned run average	3.90
Strikeouts	1,491
Teams
Baltimore Orioles (1975–1987) Toronto Blue Jays (1987–1990) Baltimore Orioles (1991–1992)
Career highlights and awards
All-Star selection (1978) World Series champion (1983) 1979 AL Cy Young Award 1979 AL TSN Pitcher of the Year

Michael Kendall Flanagan (born December 16, 1951 in Manchester, New Hampshire) is a former left-handed pitcher and former front office executive of the Baltimore Orioles.

Biography

Early career

Flanagan attended the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where he played baseball and basketball. Always quick with a quip, Flanagan said after guarding teammate Julius Erving in practice, he knew it was time to focus on his pitching mechanics. He went on to graduate from Harvard University. During the Summer months, he played baseball for the Falmouth Commodores in the Cape Cod Summer Baseball League which featured some of the best collegiate baseball players in the United States.

Major League career

He was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 7th round of the 1973 draft. He made his major league debut with the Orioles on September 27, 1975. One of the team's most dependable pitchers for the next nine years, Flanagan went to the All-Star Game in 1978 and won the Cy Young Award in 1979. That season was his best in baseball: with a record of 23–9 (leading the league in wins) and an ERA of 3.08.

Flanagan suffered two major injuries during his tenure with the Orioles, a knee injury in 1983, and a torn achilles tendon from a pick-up basketball game.

On August 31, 1987, Flanagan was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for pitchers Oswaldo Peraza and José Mesa. He had two solid seasons for the Blue Jays as a starter, but is best remembered as the pitcher who surrendered an upper-deck shot in the Skydome by Jose Canseco in the 1989 ALCS before being converted to a reliever in the 1990 season. Returning as a free agent to Baltimore for the 1991 season, he pitched effectively that season as a reliever, including sharing a no-hitter with starter Bob Milacki, middle reliever Mark Williamson, and closer Gregg Olson. To date, it is the most recent no-hitter in Orioles history. [1] After a forgettable 1992 season, Flanagan retired from baseball.

In an 18-season career, Flanagan posted a 167–143 record with 1491 strikeouts and a 3.90 ERA in 2770.0 innings pitched.

Post-playing days

He served two stints each as a pitching coach and broadcaster for the Orioles. Flanagan was the Orioles' executive vice president of baseball operations. In recent years, positions in the Orioles' front office have been referred to by this title that would be known as general manager in other team organizations. However with the appointment of Andy MacPhail as President of Baseball Operations, his responsibilities dwindled. According to Dave Johnson on the August 15, 2009 episode of the Tom Davis Show, his contract with the Orioles ended in 2008 and is no longer officially with the club, though there may be some talks occurring to bring him back into the organization.

Pitching style

Flanagan's pitch selection included a slow curve, heavy sinker, fastball, and a changeup supposedly taught to him by Scott McGregor in 1979.^[1]

Trivia

• Tied for the Southern League lead in shutouts with 3 while playing for the Asheville Orioles in 1974
• Led the International League with a .765 winning percentage while playing for the Rochester Red Wings in 1975
• From 1973 to 1976 had a combined minor league record of 35-16 with an ERA of 2.21
• Oldest daughter was the fourth test tube baby in the United States, and the first not born by cesarian section.^[2]

See also

• List of Major League Baseball wins champions
• List of Major League Baseball leaders in career wins

References

• 1980 Baseball Register published by The Sporting News
• "Sports People; Girl for Flanagans" New York Times

External links

• Mike Flanagan Player Page at Baseball-Almanac
• Mike Flanagan Player Page at Baseball Reference
• Retrosheet