Ryan Minor, Orioles 3B who changed Cal Ripken on the finish of his record-setting streak, dies at 49

Ryan Minor, the Baltimore Orioles infielder who turned 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 University 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 are deeply saddened by the passing of former third baseman and longtime minor league manager Ryan Minor, who courageously fought cancer,” the Orioles stated. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Ryan’s family and friends at this time.”

Drafted by the Orioles in 1996, Minor made his large league debut late within the 1998 season. Then, every week later – on Sept. 20 – he was thrust into the highlight. In the workforce’s ultimate house recreation 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 idea when I was coming to the park,” Minor stated on the time.

Minor went on to play elements of 4 seasons for the Orioles and Montreal Expos, showing in 142 main league video games. This previous summer season, the Delmarva Shorebirds – an Orioles minor league affiliate – made his No. 44 the primary jersey quantity in workforce historical past to be retired. He hit 24 house runs for Delmarva in 1997 whereas working his method towards the majors, and he later managed the workforce 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 Big Eight Player of the Year 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 yr the Orioles took him.

The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame just lately introduced that Minor could be a part of its 2024 class of inductees.