Ryan Minor, the Baltimore Orioles infielder who grew to become a part of baseball historical past when he changed Cal Ripken on the finish of his record-setting consecutive video games streak in 1998, has died. He was 49.
The College of Oklahoma – the place Minor starred in baseball and basketball – stated he died of most cancers Friday. The Orioles additionally launched a press release on social media.
“We’re deeply saddened by the passing of former third baseman and longtime minor league supervisor Ryan Minor, who courageously fought most cancers,” the Orioles stated. “Our ideas and prayers are with Ryan’s household and pals at the moment.”
Drafted by the Orioles in 1996, Minor made his large league debut late within the 1998 season. Then, per week later – on Sept. 20 – he was thrust into the highlight. Within the staff’s closing dwelling sport of the season, Ripken determined to finish his streak at 2,632 consecutive video games. Minor began at third base for the primary time in his profession.
“I had no thought after I was coming to the park,” Minor stated on the time.
Minor went on to play components of 4 seasons for the Orioles and Montreal Expos, showing in 142 main league video games. This previous summer time, the Delmarva Shorebirds – an Orioles minor league affiliate – made his No. 44 the primary jersey quantity in staff historical past to be retired. He hit 24 dwelling runs for Delmarva in 1997 whereas working his method towards the majors, and he later managed the staff from 2010-12 and 2014-17. He additionally had a number of stints managing the Frederick Keys.
At Oklahoma, Minor pitched and performed first base. He helped the Sooners win a nationwide title in baseball in 1994, and he was named Massive Eight Participant of the Yr in 1995 on the basketball court docket. The 6-foot-6 Minor completed with 1,946 factors and was drafted within the second spherical by the Philadelphia 76ers in 1996, the identical 12 months the Orioles took him.
The Oklahoma Sports activities Corridor of Fame just lately introduced that Minor could be a part of its 2024 class of inductees.
