History-making former baseball star dies at the age of 49 after battle with cancer

Ryan Minor, the Baltimore Orioles infielder who became part of baseball history when he replaced Cal Ripken at the end of his record-setting winning streak in 1998, has died at the age of 49.

The University of Oklahoma — where Minor starred in baseball and basketball — said he died Friday of cancer. The Orioles also released a statement on social media.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of former third baseman and longtime minor league manager Ryan Minor, who courageously battled cancer,” the Orioles said.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Ryan's family and friends at this time.”

Minor was drafted by the Orioles in 1996 and made his big league debut late in the 1998 season.

A week later, on September 20, he was thrust into the spotlight.

In the last home game of the season, Ripken decided to end his streak of 2,632 consecutive games. Minor started at third base for the first time in his career.

“I had no idea when I came to the park,” Minor said at the time.

Minor played parts of four seasons for the Orioles and Montreal Expos, appearing in 142 Major League games.

Last summer, the Delmarva Shorebirds — an Orioles minor league affiliate — made his number 44 the first jersey number to be retired in team history.

He hit 24 home runs for Delmarva in 1997 on his way to the majors, and later led the team from 2010-12 and 2014-17. He also had several stints as manager of the Frederick Keys.

At Oklahoma, Minor pitched and played first base.

He helped the Sooners win a national title in baseball in 1994, and in 1995 he was named Big Eight Player of the Year on the basketball court.

The 6-foot-1 Minor finished with 1,946 points and was drafted in the second round by the Philadelphia 76ers in 1996, the same year the Orioles took him.

The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame recently announced that Minor would be part of the 2024 class of inductees.