Former Cy Young winner Mike Flanagan found dead--Updated

MIke Flanagan

((ht: baltimore sun))

One of Baltimore's baseball legends was found dead on a trail near his home Wednesday afternoon. Mike Flanagan was a Cy Young winner, a TV Analyst, Orioles team executive and one of the teams most popular former players.

According to reports, the 59-year-old Flanagan was found dead on his property and Police are investigating the potential cause of death.

Interestingly, Police will not confirm it's Flanagan, though it is and has widely been reported at this time.

Read more from the Baltimore Sun RIGHT HERE

Said Orioles owner Peter Angelos in a statement: It is with deep sadness that I learned of the death of my friend Mike Flanagan earlier this evening. In over a quarter century with the organization, Flanny became an integral part of the Orioles family, for his accomplishments both on and off the field. His loss will be felt deeply and profoundly by all of us with the ballclub and by Orioles fans everywhere who admired him. On behalf of the club, I extend my condolences to his wife Alex; and daughters Kerry, Kathryn and Kendall."


Since Police have yet to officially release his name nor a cause of death, no arrangements have been made.

--UPDATED--The coroner has ruled a cause of death. Unfortunately it appears to be a "Self-inflicted" gunshot wound to the head.

ABC2/WMAR has your TV story:

Who's Your Papi...??? Ask The O's Kevin Gregg

((HT: MLB/NESN/youtube))

This is what we needed to get the mid-season break going in Major League Baseball- a nice bench-clearing brawl...

Friday night had the Red Sox and Orioles...

David Ortiz never backed down as a batter, and Kevin Gregg never backed down as a closer... and it happened again... with the two of them facing another...

Here's the at-bat... and both times that Ortiz went after Gregg...


"I don't feel proud of a situation like that, but I'm the kind of person that don't like being pushed, you know what I'm saying? I feel like I was pushed last night to do something like that," said Ortiz. "Everybody has a button, and once it gets touched, it changes your mind in a second. So, I guess that was my time."

Gregg was mad that Ortiz, in his mind, took his time when the teams knew it was an out to short right... Ortiz was just, you know, taking his time...

Interesting to see if we get a sequel any time soon...

Orioles' Simon Denied Bail In DR

Baltimore Orioles reliever Alfredo Simon was denied bail and will remain in jail on an involuntary manslaughter charge in the Dominican Republic. He is expected to stay in jail for a full year while the shooting he was reportedly involved in on New Year's Eve is being investigated by local authorities.

Simon's lawyer has said he was firing celebratory shots in the air as a bullet killed Michel Castillo and injured his 17-year-old brother.

Defense attorney Dinosa Dilone said she plans to appeal the ruling.

"We think the judge acted in such a way to avoid a reaction from the media," Dilone said. "There is already forensic evidence that Simon's weapon did not cause the death of the victim."

Simon could face up to two years in prison if convicted on the involuntary manslaughter charge.

Here's the interview Simon had when he was called up to the majors...
The HQ anticipates this might be one of the few times Simon will be seen in an Orioles uniform in a while...
((HT: MASNSportsdotcom))

Orioles' Simon Suspect In DR Shooting Death, Surrenders To Police

((HT: mlb.com/Stephens))

Orioles reliever Alfredo Simon is the prime suspect in a New Year's Eve shooting in the Dominican Republic.

Simon allegedly shot and killed Michel Castillo Almonte, 25, in addition to wounding Almonte's 17-year-old brother, according to the statement from local police.

The Orioles are not commenting, but one of the club's Dominican representatives, Felipe Alou Jr., told the Associated Press that he had spoken with Simon and he denied the charges levelled against him.

Simon, who allegedly fled after the incident, could face a sentence of up to 30 years in prison if convicted.

Whoops... allegedly...

Here's our friends at MASN talking to Simon at the time he was called up to the majors...
((HT: MASNSportscom))


MONDAY UPDATE: Simon has surrendered to Dominican authorities. He arrived at national police headquarters- accompanied by his mother and lawyer, who gave detectives Simon's gun as part of the investigation.

A police spokesman says Simon told detectives he fired twice into the air during the New Year's celebration.

More when we know more...

Carl Crawford probably should've worn a cup....

Carl Crawford of the Tampa Bay Rays had the misfortune of taking a pickoff throw someplace where most guys cringe. He was leading off 1st base at the time and yeah, probably would've tried to steal 2nd. However Baltimore Orioles pitcher Jake Arrieta tried to pick him off. The throw...however hit him in the family jewels.

Guess it's one way to stop Crawford from stealing. Follow the link to see the video

HERE'S YOUR LINK

Or you can look here until the video gets pulled...
((HT: MLB/MLB Network/Vids4Posts))


The only thing missing is the doorbell sound effect...

The Wrong Adam Jones....

Sometimes it isn't so great to have a common name. Just ask Baltimore Orioles outfielder Adam Jones.

Apparently sometime last night, Jones, who was in transit with his team to Toronto to face the Blue Jays, was detained at the airport in Canada.

The reason, his name showed up on a database as someone with a conviction to his name, something that Canadian authorities are now detaining people entering there country for. We aren't saying, nor is he, that he was mistaken for the ever popular Adam "Pacman" Jones, but just do the math.

More from Baltimore Sun RIGHT HERE

Overall, this will be just a "blip" on the radar screen, but it is somewhat interesting. We don't quite get how Canada can not allow people who've done something that they feel is a major offense, which might not be considered as such in their own country, but it is their country we suppose.

For those unfamiliar with Baltimore's Adam Jones, check out this video. Thanks You Tube:

Nyjer Morgan Has Issues

A craftsman never blames his tools, but Nationals center fielder Nyjer Morgan, apparently, doesn't like his mitt...

You saw the video a few days ago of the Mets' Angel Pagan running in a square for an inside-the-park homerun against the Nats.

Brings us to last night, the Orioles Adam Jones hits a shot to center and Morgan has another biblically-proportioned meltdown...

Focus, grasshopper...
((HT: MASN/MLB/explosivo98))

Stealing Ripken

Overnight a few Baltimore area teens got a "little" rambunctious and apparently helped themselves to the Cal Ripken Jr. statue outside of Baltimore's Camden Yards.

((Notice #8 is missing//Photo Courtesy: Amy Davis/Baltimore Sun))

The first story from the Baltimore Sun here . Read it carefully.

ABCNews2.com has details of the 4 people arrested in the theft here .

Isn't it interesting that the Memorial Area is underneath a Camera but apparently the Camera wasn't being watched? It almost sounds like a movie or TV show prank, but alas...it isn't. Humorous yes, serious yes...trouble for the 4 people arrested well after they were seen driving down the street with it...absolutely.