Former Orioles Pitcher Mike Flanagan Found Dead At 59

Mike Flanagan, who was connected with the Baltimore Orioles organization for more than three decades as a pitcher, executive and broadcaster, took his own life on Wednesday.

Friday, the team announced plans to honor and pay tribute to Flanagan. Stacey at our SB Nation Orioles blog Camden Chat has details on the Mike Flanagan tributes:

The body of Baltimore Orioles’ pitcher, executive, and broadcaster Mike Flanagan was found near his home on Wednesday, and the initial reports indicated that Flanagan might have committed suicide. Sadly, it looks like those reports are proving true. From Chick Hernandez of CSN Washington:

Baltimore Co. Police confirm Mike Flanagan died from self-inflicted gun shot. So very sadWhile it’s not appropriate to play amateur psychologist and pretend this horrible occurrence is the result of one specific problem in Flanagan’s life, there are reports that part of his depression stemmed from his work in the Orioles’ front office. From Tim Kurkjian:

Judging from the immediate reaction to Mike Flanagan’s passing, it’s probably safe to assume that nearly everyone who spent much time with Flanagan was deeply affected by him. Since the news broke Wednesday night, the reaction from around baseball has been swift and practically unanimous. Below, just a small sampling ...

Mike Flanagan passed away on Wednesday night and, immediately, there was an outpouring of support from members of the Baltimore Orioles organization mourning the death of the Cy Young-winning pitcher. None of those reactions were more touching than that of former teammmate and broadcast partner Jim Palmer.

Flanagan and Palmer were teammates for 11 seasons on the field, up until 1984, and have both continued in front office and broadcasting roles for Baltimore ever since. So, when Palmer was interviewed on Wednesday night, most knew to be ready for a tear-jerker.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter, immediately after Wednesday night’s game:

Flanagan and Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Palmer were teammates from 1973 through 1984, and both have been associated with the Orioles -- Palmer as broadcaster, Flanagan in his many roles -- since the early ‘90s.

Earlier in the evening, news broke that a body had been discovered on Orioles broadcaster Mike Flanagan’s suburban Baltimore property. Now, there’s this report:

Flanagan had been working as an analyst on Orioles television broadcasts this season, splitting duties with Jim Palmer (who is traveling with the Orioles this week). This was Flanagan’s third stint in the broadcast booth. He had also served twice as the Orioles’ pitching coach. From 2003 through 2007, Flanagan worked in the club’s front office in a tandem -- first with Jim Beattie, then Jim Duquette -- that functioned as de facto general manager.