BALTIMORE — Former Cy Young Award winner Mike Flanagan died of a self-inflicted shotgun wound to the head, the Maryland medical examiner ruled Thursday.
A police investigation revealed the 59-year-old pitcher was upset about financial issues. He left no note.
Flanagan’s body was found Wednesday about 250 feet behind his home. An investigation showed he was home alone when he took his life.
“It’s very tragic. He was a good friend. I just wished I’d known he was having a struggle,” former Baltimore Orioles player and manager Davey Johnson said. “I’d sure liked to have talked to him.”
Flanagan won the Cy Young Award in 1979 and helped the Orioles win the 1983 World Series.
After his retirement, he worked for the Orioles as a coach and in the front office before settling into a job as color commentator on the team’s broadcast network. He was scheduled to work this weekend’s series against the New York Yankees.
The Associated Press
