Mike Flanagan (baseball)

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

Flanagan attended the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and 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 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.

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 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 last no-hitter in Orioles history. [1] After a forgettable 1992 season, Flanagan retired from baseball.

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

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

Currently, Flanagan is the Orioles Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations.

[edit] Trivia

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• 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
• Gave up Ike Hampton's first major league home run. {Memorial Stadium -- April 30, 1977}
• Oldest daughter was the fourth test tube baby in the United States^[2]
• Was one of three left-handed starting pitchers named "Mike" to beat Ron Guidry of the New York Yankees in Guidry's incredible 25-3 season of 1978. Flanagan and the Baltimore Orioles beat Guidry's Yankees 2-1 on August 4, 1978

[edit] See also

• List of Major League Baseball wins champions

[edit] References

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

[edit] References

[edit] External links

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