Former Orioles third baseman and minor league manager Ryan Minor passed away on Friday at age 49, as announced by Ryan’s brother Damon (via X): “After a courageous and hard fought battle I’m sad to say that Ryan lost his fight with cancer this afternoon. He truly was the best twin brother you can ask for. His family and I want to thank everyone for the prayers and support during this time. BOOMER SOONER.”
Minor played in 142 MLB games over four big league seasons, hitting .177/.228/.259 over 342 career plate appearances. Minor appeared in 87 games with the Orioles from 1998-2000 and in 55 games with the Expos in 2001, and his time in the minor leagues and in independent baseball spanned from 2002-05, including stops in the farm systems of the Mariners, Dodgers, and Marlins.
In just his third career big league game, Minor became a unique part of baseball history. Minor was Baltimore’s starting third baseman against the Yankees on September 20, 1998, which meant that he was technically the player who supplanted Cal Ripken Jr. in the Orioles’ lineup on the night that Ripken voluntarily ended his record consecutive-games streak.
After retiring from playing, Minor started a long second career as a coach and minor league manager. Much of that time was spent in Baltimore’s organization, working from 2010-19 managing the Orioles’ A-ball and high-A affiliates in Delmarva and Frederick. Minor also worked as a coach and manager in the Atlantic League in 2006-07 before beginning his long stint with the Orioles, and he managed the Tigers’ Gulf Coast West League affiliate in 2020-21.
As Damon Minor’s message indicates, the Minor brothers attended the University of Oklahoma, and Ryan was a standout in both baseball and basketball. Minor was a second-round draft pick (selected 32nd overall) for the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1996 NBA Draft, and he spent 1996 playing in the Sixers’ preseason camp and in the Continental Basketball Association. The Orioles controlled Minor’s baseball rights via a 33rd-round selection in the 1996 MLB draft.
We at MLB Trade Rumors send our condolences to Minor’s family, friends, and colleagues.
That’s helpful. Thanks for your comment
You’re not much of a sports fan then. He was as good at basketball as he was baseball.
Follow baseball much?.
I remember him during his time with the Expos, even though it was brief. As a reminder — cancer sucks. RIP Ryan.
RIP Ryan Minor.
I didn’t realize he was the player who “replaced” Ripken in the lineup when Cal’s famous streak ended.
I still remember that night
RIP Ryan. As already mentioned, cancer sucks? Lost my wife , mother, and brother in law to 3 different forms cancer over a 5 year period. Would not wish cancer on my worst enemy…..
My heart goes out to you, Roberto
Thanks for the kind words.
Carry their torch and memories forever Ryan and keep their ideas alive in your actions. We are all here for you. Death is not something our country or even our world likes to discuss but it touches all of us and we are better off supporting eachother. Much love
Roberto,that is awful. I am very sorry. Bless their souls.
Thanks for the kind words
God bless you and your family Roberto.
Thanks for the kind words.
He was in college during my time away from baseball during the strike. I remember him much more as a basketball player. He was GREAT for the Sooners. He could have easily made it in the NBA if he landed in a good fit for him. The NBA is unlike MLB because it really does matter the situation you get drafted into. In MLB, you can work your way up the ladder and pass people along the way. But in the NBA if you get drafted by a team that already has a star at your position, you are destined to a bench role, if that.
One of the odd fun facts is that Minor was not the only future MLB player selected by Philly in the 1996 draft. One pick earlier than Minor, Philly picked pitcher Mark Hendrickson, who I think is the last player to play in both leagues.
great post @Tom G, sounds like Ryan was a pretty amazing guy.
I remember sitting down low when he was managing a game in Frederick, seeing how big he was. And I always forget he was a stud in basketball.
are you from Frederick? I was born at FMH, and lived in Frederick county til I was 28
You really refreshed my memory. Thanks and I agree. Played a big role on some great OU teams
Very sorry to read of his passing.
RIP Ryan…..
The Bowie Baysox was “baseball” for my family in 1998. We lived nearby, my kids were 9 and 11, and we attended 15 games that season, even one on the road in Portland, Maine. There was a lot of talent on that team, including a skinny catcher named Jayson Werth. Many others made it to MLB. Nobody on that team was nicer to the kids than Ryan Minor. We still have a number of baseballs he autographed, my son was just going through some of that memorabilia the past few days during his Christmas visit home. Ryan was a class act and great ambassador for the sport. RIP
Every Orioles fan that’s around my age will always remember the name Ryan Minor. RIP.
A 6’7” third baseman! Wow. Such a shame to lose him.
Rest in Peace, Ryan. Birdland is a little less brighter today and our hearts go out to your family and friends.
As an old B12 Mizzou fan I knew him more as a very good college bball player at OU. Dude could ball! RIP.
He and his brother were great athletes at Oklahoma. Not many folks drafted in baseball and basketball. RIP
Remember seeing a quote from this guy when I was playing OOTP not too long ago. When he was told that he was replacing Cal Ripken and ending his consecutive games streak, his response was, “Does Cal know?” Thought that was pretty amusing. Cancer really sucks.
He was a big part of the Sooner Nation god bless you Ryan, you were a good man
I watched the beginning of that game when Ripken ended his streak. It was televised nationally. I remember saying to myself that this kid Minor has some balls to be standing out their on the field replacing an icon.
RIP Ryan.
RIP Ryan
It’s heartbreaking that cancer has claimed another life.
I don’t recall seeing him play but Rest in Paradise Ryan.
RIP
Cancer is a metabolic disease, stop eating sugar and most cancers will go away
I met Ryan in 2005. Very nice guy. Came out to the parking lot after a game. Stopped, talked, took photos and signed autographs with anyone that wanted one. Was really nice to the kids. Thanks for taking the time to brighten our day. Rest in Peace my friend.
Was a big dude. RIP