Mike Flanagan
The 1979 American League Cy Young Award winner, Mike Flanagan was a staple in the deep Baltimore pitching rotations of the late 1970s and 1980s. The left-hander won as many as 15 games in a season five times, and was reknowned for his excellent curveball. Like teammate and fellow lefty Scot McGregor, he had a cunning pickoff move and relied heavily on breaking pitches and location. He won 167 games in his 18-year career, all but 31 of them as a member of the Birds. A native of New Hampshire, Flanagan grew up rooting for the Boston Red Sox.
Quotes About Flanagan
"He's calm and invisible and lays back and, then, for about 10 seconds, he's hilarious." — teammate Ken Singleton
Quotes From Flanagan
"If you know where you come from, you'll always know where you're going."
Played For
Baltimore Orioles (1975-1987)
Toronto Blue Jays (1987-1990)
Baltimore Orioles (1991-1992)
Best Season: 1979
He logged 23 wins and easily outdistanced Yankee lefties Ron Guidry and Tommy John to win the Cy Young Award.
Factoids
On July 13, 1991, Mike Flanagan teamed with Bob Milacki, Mark Williamson and Gregg Olson to pitch a no-hit game against the A's.
On October 6, 1991, Mike Flanagan was on the mound for the final pitch at Baltimore's Memorial Stadium.
Description
"A bulldog on the mound," is how Brooks Robinson once described Flanagan. Flanagan was noted for his sense of humor and he was famous for giving nicknames. Teammate Don Stanhouse was "Stan the Man Unusual." Baltimore scout Jim Russo was "Inspector Rosseau," and Tony Solaita was "Tony Obsoleta." Flanagan dubbed Twins' infielder John Castino, "Clams Castino." Flanagan was the one who christened Scot McGregor "Cy Future," while Jim Palmer was "Cy Old."
Scouting Report
"Basically an overhand pitcher, but will drop to three-quarters for certain righties and to sidearm for many lefties… [his] curve is now considered to be close to the best in the league." — from the 1984 Scouting Report
Where He Played
Starting pitcher until his last two seasons, in 1991 and 1992, when he was a useful setup man.
Born
Michael Kendall Flanagan was born on December 16, 1951, in Manchester, NH.
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
Primary Position: P
Primary Team: BAL
College: Massachusetts
Major League Debut
September 5, 1975
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1975
Willie Randolph
Jack Clark
Chet Lemon
Craig Reynolds
Dennis Eckersley
Roy Smalley
Ron Guidry
Donnie Moore
Lyman Bostock
Nicknames
Killer Bee
Earned his nickname from teammate Ken Singleton for his biting and dry sense of humor.
Similar Players
Scot McGregor
Related Players
Jim Palmer, Mike Boddicker, Steve Stone
| Hall of Fame Voting |
| Year |
Election |
Votes |
Pct |
| 1998 |
BBWAA |
2 |
.4% |
|
No-Hitter
7/13/1991: For BAL (A) vs. OAK (A), 2-0 at OAK. 1 innings pitched.
Post-Season Appearances
1979 American League Championship Series
1979 World Series
1983 American League Championship Series
1983 World Series
1989 American League Championship Series
Awards and Honors
1979 AL Cy Young
Notes
Flanagan was 12-1 in two seasons for the University of Massachusetts. He was 9-1 in the Cape Cod League.
Injuries and Explanation for Missed Playing Time
Flanagan missed part of the 1983 seaosn after he suffered a scary knee injury. Two years later he was sidelined when he tore his achilles tendon.
Transactions
Flanagan was originally drafted by the Houston Astros in 1971 in the 15th round of the free agent draft, but opted for college instead. He was picked by the Orioles in the seventh round of the 1973 draft. A history of arm problems caused him to slip in the draft.
All-Star Selections
1978 AL
Replaced
Wayne Garland and Mike Cuellar, who had been in the O's rotation in 1976.
Replaced By
After the O's dealt him to the Blue Jays in 1987, he was replaced by Jeff Ballard. When the Jays cut him loose after the 1989 season, his spot was handed to David Wells.
Best Strength as a Player
Ability to throw his curveball for strikes, and his pickoff move.
Largest Weakness as a Player
Velocity
Learn More about Mike Flanagan
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