Reactions from the Baltimore Sun:

Jim Palmer: “Mike was such a unique guy: Talented, witty, funny. He had a reserved side of him, too, when you experienced all the things we experienced. I was kind of his mentor, and I was proud to do that. Robin Roberts did that for me, and I was proud to carry on that tradition with Scotty [McGregor], Storm Davis, [Mike] Boddicker, and Mike and Denny Martinez. That’s what made us what we were. …
"You are not ready to lose someone like Mike Flanagan. But on the other side, I feel lucky to be part of the organization and have had him as a friend and a confidant and buddy and see all facets of him. That’s what baseball is all about, the ups and downs and good times and bad times. He was one of my students and then became one of my friends. It is just horrible. You could go into shock. It’s surreal, it’s like it hasn’t happened. …
"I think about losing my dad at 10 and my stepfather and my mom. This is a terrible time for his family, it’s tough for all of us. We all had so much respect for him. He was such a super guy in so many different ways. …
"Flanny was somewhat of a selfless guy. I don’t think he talked much about himself. You don’t find that in most people. He was a terrific pitching coach. He was a special human being. You don’t replace people like that in your life. That’s why I feel so fortunate to have spent so much time with him as I did.” 

Rick Dempsey: “Flanny was, gosh darnit, there was just no doubt that everybody loved him. He was just a huge part of our lives in Baltimore. In the wintertime, he would come to my house and we would fish together. …
"I know he has gone through some tough times. I think he was very down about the GM job, but it seemed like he rallied when he got the [MASN] color job again. It’s just shock right now. I know everybody that played with him loved him to death. He was the backbone of that pitching staff. He never quit, this guy never quit. He was there for the duration. We had so many great games and so many great times, I just can’t believe it. …
"He had the driest and funniest sense of humor of anybody I ever played with. He was just a magnificent person and magnificent teammate.”

Scouting director Joe Jordan: “Mike was just one of those genuine guys. He was a former major leaguer and an accomplished and successful one, and you’d never know it to talk to him. He was just genuine. He was a very intelligent man, and if you got into a baseball conversation with him, he’d control it. He had just so much insight. He was a thinker, and that is what impressed me the most. …
"I didn’t know him at all [before Jordan was hired]. Jim Beattie was my contact. But when Jim left, my friendship with Mike really grew. We just had a good friendship. I am just shocked. A good man, a good friend.”



Cal Ripken Jr.: “I am so sorry to hear about Mike’s passing. He was a good friend and teammate and our thoughts are with Alex and his family. Mike was an Oriole through and through and he will be sorely missed by family, friends and fans. This is a sad day.”