Top 50 Players In Baltimore Sports History: Countdown 30-21
We are now entering into the second half of the list here on The Baltimore Wire so hang on tight everyone and enjoy the show:
30. Mike Flanagan, SP, Baltimore Orioles
Bill Pemstein of orioles-nation.com
Many recent Orioles fans probably know Mike Flanagan from his color commentating at MASN. Older Orioles fans will remember Mike Flanagan – one of the best pitchers in Orioles history. Flanagan was on the O’s in every season of his 18-year career, with the exception of the four years that he spent with the Toronto Blue Jays.
He was named to the American League All-Star Team once in 1978. The following year, the first of two times he would play on an AL pennant winner, his 23 victories led the circuit and earned him the league’s Cy Young Award. Four years after leaving the Orioles in 1987, he returned to Baltimore and played his final two years there.
In an 18-season career, Flanagan posted a 167–143 record with 1,491 strikeouts and a 3.90 ERA in 2770.0 innings pitched. However, his retirement as a player did not end his career with the Orioles. He served in three different positions after his retirement: he was the pitching coach in 1995 and 1998, a team executive vice president in baseball operations from 2006 through 2008, and a commentator for MASN. At the time of his death, he was one of the team’s broadcasters, a role he had previously held three times (1994, 1996–1997, 1999–2002).
29. Michael McCrary, DE, Baltimore Ravens
McCrary was drafted in the seventh round by the Seattle Seahawks in the 1993 NFL Draft. Undersized at that time for being a defensive end, he stamped his legacy with aggression and speed. McCrary would spend the 1993 season with the Seahawks, recording 4 sacks and 2 forced fumbles with scarce playing time. In 1994, his playing time grew, but not by much.
McCrary would start his first career game in 1996, and he made the oppurtunity count. He finished his first starting season with 77 total tackles, 3 pass deflections, 1 forced fumble, 13.5 sacks and 1 FG Block. McCrary contacted several teams when he became a free agent in 1997, but his agent would end up calling the Ravens and the team was more than happy to take him.
McCrary would flourish in the Ravens defense. In his first season with the Ravens, he recorded 69 tackles and 9.5 sacks. He then recorded a career-high 14.5 sacks in 1998. McCrary was also a part of the legendary defense in 2000 that allowed the fewest total points in a 16-game season (that won’t be the last time you hear that). McCrary finished his stint as one of three Baltimore Ravens with over 70 career sacks.