Ryan Minor died today, Friday, from cancer. He played third base for the Orioles the day Cal Ripken’s streak ended:

Drafted by the Orioles in 1996, Minor made his big league debut late in the 1998 season. Then, a week later – on Sept. 20 – he was thrust into the spotlight. In the team’s final home game of the season, Ripken decided to end his streak at 2,632 consecutive games. Minor started at third base for the first time in his career.

ESPN.com

My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

Minor posted a rather poor MLB career, his six for fourteen with a double in 1998 was the highlight of his four seasons in the majors. He struck out a ton, but produced no power to compensate for the Ks. He did hit decently at AAA, but it never translated to the majors.

He did go on to manage in the minor leagues, but his brush with greatness remained the highlight of his career.