Baseball’s Songwriting Coach Overcomes Near-Death Experience to Continue Making Music

In the fall of 2020, Tim Flannery, a baseball coach known for his songwriting talents, faced a life-threatening illness. Despite being advised by doctors to say goodbye to his family on two occasions, Flannery refused to give up. This former second baseman, who later became a beloved coach, musician, and surfer, couldn’t imagine surrendering. After recovering from a severe staph infection that left him bedridden and required multiple surgeries, Flannery was warned that he might never walk again. However, he persevered, even using his walker to complete exercises with his granddaughter. Today, Flannery is back to writing songs and performing with his band, the Lunatic Fringe.

Flannery’s hospitalization was a frightening experience. While he was tied down to prevent self-harm, he had visions of his friend Bob Weir from the Grateful Dead and Jimmy Buffett. These encounters convinced him that they were not mere coincidences. Flannery’s unique combination of baseball and music shaped his identity and career. Initially, he intended to keep his musical talent a secret while coaching for the San Francisco Giants, as he believed some in the baseball community viewed it as suspicious. However, when a Giants fan was severely beaten in 2011, Flannery founded the Love Harder Project to raise funds for the victim’s medical expenses and promote anti-bullying and anti-violence initiatives.

Flannery’s devotion to music never wavered, even though some advised him to prioritize baseball. To him, it was like choosing between air and water — impossible. Raised in a family with Kentucky roots, Flannery’s uncle, Hal Smith, was a baseball player who also played the guitar. Following in his uncle’s footsteps, Flannery carried his guitar with him throughout his baseball career and beyond. He recorded songs that paid tribute to his family’s life and collaborated with renowned musicians such as Jackson Browne and Bruce Hornsby. Flannery’s love for music led him to open for artists like Jimmy Buffett and Emmylou Harris.

During the pandemic, Flannery found solace in his treehouse retreat, isolated in the mountains of Santa Barbara. It was there that he contracted the staph infection that nearly took his life. Initially dismissing his back pain, Flannery tried to play through the discomfort by self-medicating with alcohol. However, he eventually collapsed and had to be hospitalized. During his recovery, Susan Walker, wife of the late Jerry Jeff Walker, invited Flannery to perform at a celebration of life event. Though he was still weak, Flannery performed two songs, and his presence deeply moved the audience. Through it all, Flannery’s wife, Donna, observed a positive change in his demeanor and how he treats others.

Flannery’s unwavering passion for music and his desire to make a difference in the world through his songs continue to guide him. He believes that his music has the power to touch people’s hearts and bring about positive change. Despite the challenges he has faced, Flannery remains dedicated to his craft and aims to create as many good memories as possible through his music.