Ryan Minor, who became part of baseball lore when Cal Ripken’s consecutive games streak ended and he drew the start, died Friday. He was 49.
Minor died of cancer, according to the University of Oklahoma. Minor was a two-sport star in baseball and basketball for the Sooners.
When Ripken decided to end his Iron Man streak at 2,632 consecutive games late in the 1998 season, it was Minor who started in his place for a game against the New York Yankees on Sept. 20, 1998.
Minor was stunned to see his name in the lineup at third base instead of the legendary Ripken.
“I looked at (Ripken) and said, ‘Thanks for the opportunity,'” Minor told The Oklahoman. “He looked at me and said, ‘Go get ’em.'”
Minor, batting sixth, went 1-for-4 in Baltimore’s 5-4 loss.
Ripken was back in the starting lineup the next night.
Minor played in 87 games for the Orioles from 1998-2000 and batted .185 with three homers and 14 RBIs. He also played in 55 games for the Montreal Expos in 2001.
He had a .177 career average with five homers and 27 RBIs in 142 major league games. Minor later served as a minor league manager in the Baltimore organization from 2010-19.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of former third baseman and longtime minor league manager Ryan Minor, who courageously fought cancer,” the Orioles said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Ryan’s family and friends at this time.”
Minor helped Oklahoma win the College World Series in 1994 and was the Big Eight Player of the Year in basketball for the 1994-95 season.
He was a second-round draft pick by the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers in 1996 and was selected in the 33rd round by the Orioles the same year.
–Field Level Media
