Mike Flanagan

SEATTLE -- A night after watching his relievers blow a late-inning lead for the third straight day, Orioles manager Sam Perlozzo intimated that changes could be made before the nine-game homestand starts tomorrow. "I talked a little bit to [executive vice president Mike Flanagan] yesterday," Perlozzo said. "He's aware of the problem. We're looking at some options right now. We're hoping by [tomorrow] that we'll have something in place that's a little bit better. But it's certainly being looked at to try to get the club a little bit healthier."

Hands -- soft or calloused, cracked or smooth, scarred or innocent, taped, bent, gnarled -- tell stories. Hands hold secrets. Hands do tricks. Hands reveal strength, even character.And so we come to Alex Flanagan's project to cast the hands of baseball players in plaster. Her aim was to create items that would garner high bids in a charity auction. But she's done more than that; she's captured a little bit of each player's soul, a little bit of his life story.She froze in plaster, 20 years after it won the American League Cy Young Award, the left hand of her husband, Orioles Hall of Famer and broadcaster Mike Flanagan.

Hank Greenberg may have played for the Detroit Tigers, and Babe Ruth may have played for the New York Yankees, but both late big leaguers were on the same team in Baltimore recently. A new documentary about baseball's first Jewish superstar, "The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg," made its Baltimore premiere to benefit the Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum."Hank would be proud, since he revered Babe Ruth," said filmmaker Aviva Kempner.About 375 fans turned out at the Gordon Center for Performing Arts for the night's double-header: a reception and the screening.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The two left-handers struck an immediate bond in the fall of 1987. They had similar interests, similar deliveries, similar pitching philosophies. And on the final weekend of the '87 season, they became linked forever, losing, but losing with valor, losing with performances that ranked among the shining moments of their careers.Today, Mike Flanagan is 46, in his sixth year of retirement and his second stint as Orioles pitching coach. Jimmy Key is his No. 3 starter, almost 37, almost completely gray.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- In his second incarnation as Orioles pitching coach, Mike Flanagan has found peace, contentment and a chance to be a real pitching coach.That much is apparent even in the early stages of spring training. Manager Ray Miller, the second former pitching coach to hire Flanagan in the past four years, may turn out to be a hands-on manager, but he has made it clear that he wants to see Flanagan's fingerprints on the pitching staff."I had to find out if he was willing to come down out of the [broadcast]

Jr. -- UP -- It's been a week since Cal Ripken ended The Streak and gave Camden Yards a moment few expected would happen this season. Yes, it is "time to change the subject," but not before embracing the city that has forever embraced him.1998 -- DOWN -- A season that began with promise crumbled early and ends in uncertainty. An off-season face lift awaits.Dan O'Dowd -- UP -- The Orioles were willing to jump through the Cleveland Indians' hoops to interview him for the GM vacancy. He apparently enjoys the support of Pat Gillick.

Mike Flanagan -- UP -- He refused to quit on an injured staff. Now almost completely healed, the Orioles may be a stronger pitching team this second half than in the first half. Pete Smith credits Flanagan for his recent transformation. A pitching coach's pitching coach, Flanagan has left his own fingerprint.Eric Davis -- UP -- He will be an Oriole next year. Can there be a better ending to his story?Jimmy Key -- DOWN -- He made it back from an inflamed rotator cuff, but his condition still lingers.

Doug Drabek -- EVEN -- A strong spring and an encouraging first start elevated him to the No. 4 starter, but he struggled in Friday's loss at Detroit. Mike Mussina was bumped back a day to prevent him from pitching with nine days' rest.Joe Carter -- UP -- OK, the right fielder/designated hitter hasn't gone deep yet and, yeah, he has committed two errors. But his five RBIs in Kansas City accounted for the difference in both wins.Schedule guy -- DOWN -- Two off days within a span of four days thanks to a day off in Kansas City.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Which of the following does not belong -- an IRS audit, a free fall from 5,000 feet or the Orioles' fifth starter?True, all are bad, but the tax audit is the correct answer. People have survived that experience.In the last two seasons the Orioles have reached the postseason despite microscopic contributions from a role that has featured homer-prone retreads, timid call-ups and headstrong arms cloaking injuries. The experience overtaxed the American League's deepest bullpen and made the off-season acquisition of another starting pitcher a frantic priority.

Like Orioles manager Davey Johnson, Home Team Sports supervising producer Chris Glass has to produce a pleasing product on a nightly basis to a demanding audience.However, unlike Johnson, for whom 60 or so losses a year are acceptable (well, maybe), Glass cannot afford a loss.Ever.Fail to show a critical replay, and the phones at HTS' headquarters in Bethesda will surely ring the next morning. Botch a graphic and read about it the next day in those mean old newspapers. Miss a pitch or show a guy climbing up the foul pole and take calls from the Orioles' front office.

Nobody is willing to say anything publicly about this apparently sensitive situation, but sources have been tellings us for a couple of months now that Mike Flanagan probably will return to the broadcast booth. (For more, go to baltimoresun.com schmuckblog

As a tradition of sorts in the Peter Angelos era, the titles on the Orioles' front office business cards have been excessively long and especially particular. The exact roles and responsibilities of these front office members, though, have been particularly vague and unnecessarily ambiguous. These past few weeks and months, the clouds have been slowly dissipating around the Warehouse, and for the first time in five years, it's finally clear that there's just one man charged with running the Orioles - the president of baseball operations, Andy MacPhail.

Good morning -- Mike Flanagan -- You couldn't take vacation some other time?

O's woes, Chapter 786: Looking for a sign as to what to expect out of the Orioles the next few years? Pay close to attention to what happens to Mike Flanagan. If Andy MacPhail truly has control, Flanagan will be moved far away from the controls. It's stunning he has lasted this long in a management position, and if he lasts even longer it will be really tough to believe MacPhail has the autonomous power he was promised. A-Rod a dud: It has never been more obvious to me that Alex Rodriguez belongs in a place like Baltimore.

SEATTLE -- A night after watching his relievers blow a late-inning lead for the third straight day, Orioles manager Sam Perlozzo intimated that changes could be made before the nine-game homestand starts tomorrow. "I talked a little bit to [executive vice president Mike Flanagan] yesterday," Perlozzo said. "He's aware of the problem. We're looking at some options right now. We're hoping by [tomorrow] that we'll have something in place that's a little bit better. But it's certainly being looked at to try to get the club a little bit healthier."

Poll results Last week, we asked you to pick a cause for the Orioles' recent struggles. You decided the fault mainly resides in the team's bats. The results: Clutch-hitting difficulties, 39.6 percent (639 votes) The starters' inability to pitch deep, 24.7 (398) Mental mistakes and lack of intensity, 19.0 (307) Sam Perlozzo's managerial decisions, 12.0 (193) A brutal schedule, 4.8 (77) Poll position Who would you like to see come out of retirement to pitch for the Orioles? Mike Boddicker Mike Flanagan Dennis Martinez Scott McGregor Jim Palmer Steve Stone Vote at baltsun.

Staff picks John Eisenberg Last week: 11-5 Overall record: 143-81 Tonight: Packers Jamison Hensley Last week: 10-6 Overall record: 137-87 Tonight: Packers Edward Lee Last week: 10-6 Overall record: 136-88 Tonight: Packers Rick Maese Last week: 10-6 Overall record: 139-85 Tonight: Packers Mike Preston Last week: 11-5 Overall record: 138-86 Tonight: Vikings Peter Schmuck Last week: 11-5 Overall record: 138-86 Tonight: Packers David Steele ...

Sunday's games Oakland at Ravens RAIDERS -- Questionable: CB Nnamdi Asomugha (foot); DE Kevin Huntley (foot). Probable: TE James Adkisson (knee); QB Aaron Brooks (knee); TE John Madsen (ankle); LB Sam Williams (ankle). RAVENS -- Questionable: RB P.J. Daniels (thigh); C Mike Flynn (ankle); DT Aubrayo Franklin (thigh); TE Todd Heap (back); RB Jamal Lewis (hip); S Ed Reed (thigh); K Matt Stover (back); TE Daniel Wilcox (back). Detroit at Chicago LIONS -- Out: TE Casey Fitzsimmons (wrist)

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The last time the Orioles were at Angel Stadium of Anaheim, the course of Jay Gibbons' season changed dramaticaly. On May 26, Gibbons ran into the rail in foul territory in right field, trying to stop Vladimir Guerrero's hard liner that ultimately resulted in a game-winning, inside-the-park, two-run home run. That night, the Orioles lost a game, a key bat in the middle of their order, and Gibbons lost his starting right-field spot...

On July 2, 2006, MILDRED "Irene" DAVIS of Sunset Drive, Baltimore, MD, formerly of Salem of W.V. She was born on July 9, 1922 at Wolf Summit, WV, a daughter of the late Michael R., and Pearl Strother Flanagan. On December 31, 1942, she married Jack C. Davis who preceded her in death March 17, 1993. Surviving are one daughter, Patricia Willis and husband Tom of Glen Burnie, two sons, Michael J., and Larry C. Davis of Baltimore, eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, one sister, Dixie Arvey of Severn and one brother, Mike Flanagan of Salem.