Mike Flanagan

Mike Flanagan blew his brains out Wednesday

Killed himself with a shotgun

Put the barrel in his mouth

And pulled the trigger quick


What must he have been going through?

What kind of pain was he in

To take his own life?


The crafty lefthander was funny

But so very sad looking

Always too smart for his own good

He must've felt the burden of self awareness

And of having a very quick mind


Being three steps ahead of hitters

Served him well on the mound

But off the field he bounced around

Never recapturing the glory

Of pitching for the great Oriole teams of the 70s and early 80s


To be an athlete is a curse