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Blutrane93 · Senior Joined: 14 Apr 2010 Posts: 1261

The great Baltimore Orioles pitcher passed away yesterday.

I didn't realize until I read this Tim Kurkjian article that he played Freshman basketball at UMass with Pitino and Dr. J.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/6894031/mlb-cy-young-winner-mike-flanagan-1951-2011

Of course a UMass alum would be the funniest and wittiest baseball player Kurkjian ever met. My condolences to anyone with connections to him in the area.

tdmass · Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 12:03 pm Post subject:

I imagine Tom McLaughlin may have some memories of Mike he might
share.

tom mclaughlin · Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 2:57 pm Post subject: Mike Flanagan

I'm out in San Francisco visiting my son Corry and on my run this morning my other son Tommy called and gave me the news about Mike Flanagan and when someone you know passes away it brings everything back like it was yesterday. My mind immediately went back to sitting on the steps of Boyden with a young freshman by the name of Mike Flanagan. I was trying to convince Mike to play basketball. Mike said "Mac I'd love to, but I think I need to concentrate on baseball". He was right as time showed.
For those who don't know Mike went on to win the Cy Young and pitch in the World Series. He represented UMass well and it was fabulous seeing him play a he highest level. He was a tough guard who competed and if he had decided to play it would have been fun to see him and Rick Pitino compete for playing time. I wouldn't have bet against Mike. Mike would have made us a better team just like he made the Orioles better.
Mike was a fun guy, a friend and absolutely had no ego. In fact, he and Billy Endicott lived in a place near Mike's Bar and the night I met my wife I took her to a party at Mike's apartment So Mike is partly responsible for me meeting my wife.
When I say UMass has great people I mean guys like Mike Flanagan. Through the years I have been in the visiting club house at Fenway and Mike has always been a gentleman and it always seemed like it was only yesterday we were sitting on the steps outside Boyden.
Mike you were always humble and UMass was always a part of you and you will be missed by those who knew you as a true gentlemen. I can see Mike in his grey practice gear like it was only yesterday. Mike rest in peace and may God bless you and your family.

npt3 · Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 3:39 pm Post subject:

It gets worse: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/baseball/mlb/wires/08/25/2010.ap.bbo.obit.flanagan.1st.ld.writethru.0576/

This is profoundly sad.
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tom mclaughlin · Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 11:54 pm Post subject: Mike Flanagan

This is so sad and I'm sick about it. No matter what happened I will always remember Mike as a fine human being. It's sad what can happen in people's lives and Mike is no different then any of us.

Mike played freshman basketball on a great freshman team and that's what I'll remember. I'll remember his laugh and I'll remember his smile. He was a tough athlete and I'll remember him when his life was less complicated and we lived for the little things like playing baseball and basketball games for UMass. Mike may you finally Rest In Peace.

Old Cage · Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 8:29 am Post subject:

More from UMass baseball friends:

http://www.berkshireeagle.com/ci_18760760
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"Jack didn’t have any envy in him," Calipari said. "He was the greatest coach to ever coach here."

MikeUMA · Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 3:08 pm Post subject:

There's also a thread about Flanagan over in the Other UM Sports section:
http://umasshoops.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=12125

Dickie Dunn · Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 3:23 pm Post subject:

Some other really good tributes from some of the best baseball writers around:

http://blog.chron.com/sportsjustice/2011/08/rip-mike-flanagan/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/mike-flanagan-brought-unique-perspective-to-the-top-of-the-mound/2011/08/25/gIQASXQ5dJ_story.html

http://espn.go.com/mlb/blog/_/name/olney_buster/id/6894204/remembering-funniest-man-baseball

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110825&content_id=23728786&vkey=perspectives&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
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tom mclaughlin · Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2011 3:14 pm Post subject: Mike Flanagan

People are still in shock over the passing of Mike Flanagan and no one has any answers which makes it more difficult. Those close to Mike noticed some changes in the last 5 years but nothing of this magnitude. Mike has 3 daughters and his 1st wife Cathy went to UMass and is originally from Manchester. Mike played both basketball and baseball at Manchester Central and they won the Class L State Basketball Championship and he set a state scoring record. He was a very good basketball player and it's too bad he didn't continue playing basketball in his sophomore year at UMass.
Last night there was a memorial service for Mike in Manchester that I just found out about. He was well liked and the people that knew him before he was a star all liked him. He was a special guy and everyone wishes that he let us know his troubles and we would have helped.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mike his current wife Alex, his former wife Cathy and his 3 beautiful daughters. MIke made UMass as well as Manchester and the entire state of New Hampshire proud. Mike was a winner!