Mike Flanagan
The left-handed ace who led the AL in wins and won a Cy Young Award for Baltimore.
Michael Kendall Flanagan (December 16, 1951 – August 24, 2011) was an American left-handed pitcher who spent 18 seasons in Major League Baseball. He began his tenure with the Baltimore Orioles in 1975 and remained a fixture through 1987 before a stint with the Toronto Blue Jays (1987–1990). He returned to Baltimore as a relief pitcher for his final two seasons, 1991 and 1992. Flanagan earned the American League Cy Young Award in 1979 after leading the league with 23 victories. A member of the Orioles' 1983 World Series Championship team, he was also named to the All-Star Team once, in 1978.
- MLB Career Span
- 18 years (1975–1992)
- Teams
- Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays
- All-Star Selections
- 1 (1978)
- Cy Young Award
- 1 (1979 AL)
- World Series Championships
- 1 (1983 with Baltimore)
- Career Wins-Losses
- 167–143
- Career Strikeouts
- 1,491
- Career ERA
- 3.90
- Innings Pitched
- 2,770
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Flanagan's career peaked during the Orioles' pennant runs of the late 1970s. In 1979, he posted a 23–9 record with a 3.08 earned run average, leading the American League in victories and shutouts while earning the Cy Young Award. That year, he became the first pitcher to reach 20 wins on September 1 against the Toronto Blue Jays. His dominance was fueled by learning a changeup from teammate Scott McGregor. Earlier, in 1978, he tied for the AL lead with 40 starts and ranked fourth in innings pitched, though he also led the league in earned runs allowed. A dramatic moment occurred on September 26, 1978, when he was one out away from a no-hitter against Cleveland before Gary Alexander hit a home run; manager Earl Weaver replaced him with Don Stanhouse to preserve the win.
In Their Own Story
After his time as a starter ended in 1987, Flanagan returned to Baltimore for a final chapter. In 1991 and 1992, he served as a relief pitcher, marking his second tour with the franchise. A historic event occurred on July 13, 1991, when Flanagan combined with three other pitchers to throw a no-hitter against the Oakland Athletics. This outing also held special significance as Flanagan became the last Orioles pitcher to appear in a major-league contest at the original Memorial Stadium. Over his entire 18-season career, he compiled a 167–143 record with 1,491 strikeouts and a 3.90 ERA across 2,770 innings pitched.
Reader's Guide
Flanagan's post-playing career with the Orioles was defined by versatility in three distinct roles: pitching coach, executive, and broadcaster. He served as the team's pitching coach in 1995 and again in 1998. Later, he held the title of Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations from 2006 through 2008. At the time of his death in 2011, he was working as a color commentator, a role he had previously filled three separate times (1994; 1996–1997; and 1999–2002). Before his professional career, Flanagan attended the University of Massachusetts, where he set school records with a 1.19 career ERA and a .923 winning percentage (12–1).
Did You Know?
- Flanagan was one out away from a no-hitter against the Cleveland Indians on September 26, 1978, before Gary Alexander hit a home run.
- He combined with three other pitchers to throw a no-hitter against the Oakland Athletics on July 13, 1991.
- Flanagan was the last Orioles pitcher to appear in a major-league contest at Memorial Stadium.
- As a freshman at UMass, he played basketball on the same team as future Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino and faced Julius Erving in a fast-break block incident.
- He learned his changeup from teammate Scott McGregor during the 1979 season.