Mike Flanagan Cy Young Award
The Flu strikes again: Mike Flanagan claims the 1979 Cy Young for Baltimore.
Mike Flanagan stands as one of the most celebrated pitchers in Baltimore Orioles history, immortalized by his dominant performance during the late 1970s. Known affectionately and famously as "The Flu," he brought a unique flair and devastating curveball to the mound that captivated fans at Memorial Stadium. His crowning achievement arrived when he was named the American League Cy Young Award winner, solidifying his place among the elite company of Orioles pitching legends like Jim Palmer. This award represents not just individual excellence, but a high-water mark for the franchise's rotation during a competitive era.
- Year
- 1979
- Award
- AL Cy Young Award
- Team
- Baltimore Orioles
- Position
- Starting Pitcher
- Handedness
- Left
- Vote Result
- Unanimous
Lore & Background
Flanagan's rise to prominence was marked by an immediate impact on the Orioles' rotation, quickly becoming a fan favorite alongside established stars. His nickname, "The Flu," reportedly stemmed from his ability to make hitters feel ill after facing his signature curveball, or perhaps from an early career illness that didn't stop him from pitching. Regardless of the origin, it stuck as a symbol of his deceptive and difficult-to-hit style. During the 1979 campaign, Flanagan's performance was nothing short of historic for the club. He anchored a staff that kept the Orioles competitive in a tough American League East division. His success came at a time when the team was looking to maintain its status as a powerhouse following years of consistent contention. The legacy of this award extends beyond the trophy itself; it validated Flanagan's skill set against the best hitters in baseball. Even though his career was later shortened by shoulder injuries, that 1979 season remains the benchmark for what an Orioles left-hander could achieve at the highest level.
In Their Own Story
The afternoon sun beat down on the dirt of Memorial Stadium as Mike Flanagan stepped onto the mound. The crowd hummed with anticipation, knowing this was more than just another game. He rubbed the ball in his glove, eyes locked on the catcher's signal. With a smooth motion, he wound up and released the pitch—a curveball that dipped sharply at the last second. The batter swung over it, dust rising from the plate. In that moment, under the bright Baltimore sky, "The Flu" was at his absolute best.
Reader's Guide
Mike Flanagan's acquisition of the American League Cy Young Award stands as a pinnacle moment in Baltimore Orioles history, marking the peak of his individual dominance during the franchise's late 1970s resurgence. Occurring specifically in the 1979 season, this honor recognized the left-handed pitcher as the best in baseball for that year, placing him alongside club legend Jim Palmer who had won the same award previously during the mid-1970s run. The achievement is significant not just for the trophy itself, but for how Flanagan secured it through sheer run prevention and consistency at Memorial Stadium. His performance helped stabilize a rotation that carried the team to playoff contention during an era of intense divisional rivalry with teams like the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees. He delivered a season defined by his devastating curveball, which baffled hitters across the league. While injuries would later shorten his prime, this award remains the definitive proof of his elite status among Orioles pitchers of all time. It solidified his legacy as one of the few left-handers to ever claim such high individual recognition for the Birds in their modern era.
Did You Know?
- Flanagan received every single first-place vote available from the Baseball Writers' Association of America in 1979.
- He is widely considered one of the greatest left-handed pitchers to ever wear the Orioles uniform.
- His nickname "The Flu" became synonymous with his deceptive pitching style throughout his career.