The morning after.
Today, the Baltimore Sun is reporting that Mike Flanagan took his own life last night. He was found dead by a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
Please, readers. If you or someone you know is dealing with depression or just needs someone to talk to; do not wait – act.
The idea that Mike Flanagan was this despondent surely comes as a shock to everyone who watched him but it just proves the point that we never truly know what demons one man might be wrestling with. Gerry Sandusky (on WBAL) cited a source that speculated Flanagan was “despondent” over how the “community perceived his role in the organization”. Frankly, unless there is a note that clearly spells out Mr. Flanagan’s intentions it is completely irresponsible, bordering on insulting, to speculate on his mental state or the reasons behind his actions.
Mike Flanagan was a great ballplayer and a very nice man. He was good to the Orioles, he was good to the fans and it is a tragedy that it comes to an end like this. There will be people out there that will use this as a springboard to criticize the Orioles organization, and those people need to be no less than shouted down for being the callous opportunistic wretches they are. We may never know why Mr. Flanagan decided to take the actions he chose; and that question will never leave those friends and family he is survived by. We will eventually move on, but this will stay with them forever, please keep them in your thoughts – I know they are in mine.
Mike Flanagan, Oriole, father, husband and friend. Gone by his own hand and we are all left to wonder why.
