Former Orioles pitcher Mike Flanagan 'committed suicide by shooting himself in the face'

This is so sad!



I used to watch Flanagan pitch against the Yankees and wished he would be traded to the Mets. This is really shocking news and so unnecessary to take your own life because a team is lousy.



But, I can’t help feeling there’s more to this story that’s being reported.



Daily Mail



Mike Flanagan, a former Cy Young winner and part of the Baltimore Orioles' 1983 World Series championship team, died of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot at his home. He was 59.



Authorities found a body outside Flanagan's home in Monkton, Maryland on Wednesday afternoon after his anxious wife, who hadn't heard from him since an upset 1 am phone call, sent a neighbor to find him. The neighbor in turn called 911.



Hours later, the Orioles confirmed that Flanagan — who served the team as a pitcher, front office executive and television broadcaster — was dead.



Baltimore County Police Chief James Johnson told The Baltimore Sun Thursday that the death was an apparent suicide.



'I was contacted late afternoon [Wednesday] and informed that it appears we had a suicide,' Johnson said.



A source told the paper that Flanagan had shot himself in the face, making the identification process take longer.



Flanagan is survived by his wife Alex and daughters Kathryn, Kerry and Kendall.



Police said Thursday he was upset about financial issues.

'I am so sorry to hear about Mike's passing. He was a good friend and teammate,' said Hall of Fame third baseman Cal Ripken Jr., a former teammate of Flanagan's. 'Mike was an Oriole through and through and he will be sorely missed by family, friends and fans. This is a sad day.'



Flanagan was a crafty left-hander who went 167-143 with a 3.90 ERA over 18 seasons with Baltimore and Toronto. He didn't possess an overpowering fastball, but won a fair share of games by depending on a slow curve, a sinker and a changeup.



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