I met Mike Flanagan a couple of times – strictly in the roll as an Orioles fan.
The one instance that stands out was during a January Fan Fest. It was pre-MASN days and he was in the CSN booth to sign autographs.
I approached him with a photo I had taken during the last Orioles game at Memorial Stadium on October 6, 1991. I was in the right field side of the upper deck, and even with a zoom lens, the action on the field was quite distant. The quality of the photo was marred by a massive light streak that occasionally plagued end-of-roll pictures back in the days of film.
I told him it was the last Oriole pitch of the last game at the stadium. Mike took the picture and studied it for a number of seconds. I was not sure if he was re-living that historic moment or pondering why an Oriole fan would ask to have an autograph on such an ordinary image. Perhaps it was a combination of both.
Regardless, he kindly signed the picture, dated it October 6, 1991, and had some nice words to say. Whatever they were, they are long lost in my memory. However, his kindness – and that image of his studying that photograph for whatever reason – will remain with me forever.
Rest In Peace, Mr. Flanagan.