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Ryan Minor, left, shown with Mike Bordick during a game in 1999, was once considered the heir apparent to Cal Ripken.
LANCASTER, Pa. (Map, News) - The date was Sept. 20, 1998.
Cal Ripken, Jr., just minutes before the Orioles took the field, removed himself from the lineup at Camden Yards to end his record consecutive-game streak at 2,632.
The starting third baseman that night for Baltimore was Ryan Minor.
“At least you are remembered for something,” said Minor, who is not bothered with his legacy in Charm City.
After a 10-year pro career, Minor retired as a player in late March. He is now a coach for the Road Warriors, a member of the nine-team independent Atlantic League. The Atlantic League is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, though players strive to earn contracts with big league clubs.
“He is very eager. He is very knowledgeable,” Road Warriors manager Jeff Scott said of Minor. “I think he is going to be a manager someday. If I was the Orioles, I would hire him right now. But I’m not the Orioles.”
Minor, who played for the Orioles from 1998-2000, made an easy adjustment from playing to coaching.
“I lost the desire to train and get in shape and get ready,” said Minor, after throwing batting practice at an indoor cage prior to a recent game here. “When I made the decision [to retire], I knew it would be final. When I am done, I am done.”
“I met people from all over the country, and the world. Getting to the big leagues was an exciting time for me,” he added.
Even though the Road Warriors do not have a home, Minor is not bothered with living out of a suitcase and staying in hotels all of the time. The 126-game season lasts from April 28 to Sept. 17.
“I don’t have any pressure of performing. It is not a grind,” he said. “It is surprising how quickly the game goes now. As a coach, you are always looking three, four batters ahead. You are into the game so much.”
Minor played in parts of four Major League seasons with the Orioles and Expos. He hit .177 with five homers and 27 RBI in 142 games.
He played last year in the Atlantic League with the Lancaster Barnstormers, and on a recent return trip he was greeted warmly by several members of the front office here.
“He gets us ready to play,” Road Warriors first baseman Mike Huggins, who played for Bowie in the Oriole system last season, said of Minor. “It is only going to help me if I pick his brain.”
THE MINOR FILE
Team: Road Warriors
League: Atlantic
Position: coach
Did you know? Minor met his wife, Allyson, when he played for the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds in Salisbury. The couple is expecting their first child in October, and their home is in Salisbury. Allyson is a schoolteacher ... Minor hit the first homer at Clipper Magazine Stadium last year, when he played for Lancaster ... Hall of Famer and former Oriole third baseman Brooks Robinson is a consultant with the Lancaster Barnstormers ... Minor hit a team-high 26 homers with 99 RBI in 2005 for Lancaster ... Minor played college basketball at the University of Oklahoma.
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6:43 AM MST on Tue., Feb. 19, 2008 re: "Orioles ready for competition to begin"
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City Resident said:
its good to see some people still support the Orioles. as a Baltimore resident who grew up in Boston, i know what its like to root for a crappy team for a LONG time (Bruins, Celtics especially). and those complainers? they'll be the first ones back when things are going well again. sad! keep it up true O's fans and i'll "see you at the Yard!"
72 agree | 69 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
TRADE !!!!!.....Who would want an Oriole player ?????
173 agree | 175 disagree
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avid reader said:
I csn't believe that baseball paid this guy all of that money to write a report that could take baseball down. There was no news in the report because so many players grow too fast in size and as a fan I say to myself this guy could not be spending this much time in the gym. This is a sad scenario for the game.
175 agree | 164 disagree
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Karl said:
many baseball players want to play, win, and continue their careers at whatever cost; even to taking illegal substances. And the fans feel the same way. Let them continue their careers. And if taking illegal substances helps to win games, that is okay with the majority of fans. As Vince Lombardi is credited with saying, "winning is everything; it is the only thing."
161 agree | 176 disagree
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O's season ticket holder said: said:
What i find amazing is this. Two years ago all of the congressmen wanted to hold hearings on this same matter, now i see why. Just like this retired senator they are all looking for lucrative jobs once they leave office.....
181 agree | 184 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
How convenient that not a single current Red Sox player is mentioned, despite the glaringly obvious Ortiz. How can someone his age have a heart condition known to be linked to steroid use and not have showed up in the report? Perhaps because it was controlled by someone who has a financial stake in the Red Sox?
185 agree | 187 disagree
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Don said:
Wonder how these O's druggies would have played without the drugs ????????
189 agree | 154 disagree
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Don said:
Probably should have listed who hasn't
184 agree | 179 disagree
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Don said:
Maybe they can get a package deal for the O's and Rav's with Mayflower van lines. It's got to be terrible being a local sportcaster here in Baltimore.
229 agree | 207 disagree
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Caroline- A.K.A orioles fan said:
i love the orioles, but after 10 losing seasons i've just about had it with them. its not that hard to just win a game! they spent a lot of money, last year trying to rebuild the bullpen and what did it do nothing! Keep markakis,bedard,roberts,guthrie,walker,bradford and some other people and cut burres, baez, bell, and some of the whole freakin bullpen! miguel tejada, good lord, we can get someone very good for him! Angleos, QUIT! YOUR DOING NOTHING ANYWAY!
238 agree | 223 disagree
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Lauren said:
i hope the orioles make some changes in the offseason because i've just about had it them. we have some great guys on our team. But, the pitching, most of all the pitchers have been injured this year, loewen,benson,wright,bedard,guthrie, and some other guys, if we can get them healthy and ready to go for 2008 i think we will play better. to be a playoff team you need everything, solid pitching, good defense and good offense and the orioles will have eveything if they just keep their players healthly.
268 agree | 262 disagree
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oriole fan said:
all i want is for the orioles to at least get to the playoffs, thats all i'm asking from them. or maybe even finish above .500 because after 10 losing seasons baltimore deserves a winning team! but i had to say that orioles have not given up. they play better against the yankees then they do agaisnt the devil rays. i mean c'mon! whats up with that?
216 agree | 240 disagree
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oriole fan said:
i love the orioles, but after 10 losing seasons i've just about had it with them. its not that hard to just win a game! they spent a lot of money, last year trying to rebuild the bullpen and want did it do nothing! Keep markakis,bedard,roberts,guthrie,walker,bradford and some other people and cut burres, baez, bell, and some of the whole freakin bullpen! miguel tejada, good lord, we can get someone very good for him! Angleos, QUIT! YOUR DOING NOTHING ANYWAY!
278 agree | 269 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
It is ASTONISHING that these comments get well over 50 users rating their statements. The real issues get 1, 2, maybe 3. Maybe this is why Baltimore has such problems- no one cares enough to speak up, or take the time to do something! When it starts to leak into your neighborhood, I bet then we'll hear your mouth.
243 agree | 261 disagree
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Baseball Fan said:
HI, I think it is about time that the Baltimore Orioles wear your cities name on their away uniforms. They have the weak excuse that they serve other areas that would not relate to Baltimore. I live in New Hampshire and I have no problem with the Boston Red Sox identifying with Boston on their away uniforms. If the Red Sox didn't recognize Boston on their away uniforms I would take it as an insult to Boston and the home town fans. I have been to your city many times and have taken in Orioles, Red Sox games. I can't understand how Orioles fans and the city of Baltimore don't insist on the Orioles identifying with Baltimore on their away uniforms. After all, they are the Baltimore Orioles. They wouldn't have such a great ball park if it wasn't for the support of the tax payers of Baltimore. Thanks
275 agree | 262 disagree
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Don said:
Send the O's packing it's over. Root for the new kids on the block the Washington Nationals. They are welcome to use our stadium Hon.
252 agree | 262 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I thought Palmer put Markakis on the rising stars list because he was under 25 which the list asked for. Bedard is, what, 29? C'mon Welsh. Do your homework and stop twisting facts. Palmer wins in a landslide.
245 agree | 263 disagree
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A memorable season said:
That's one way to make this season memorable!
300 agree | 254 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Ouch. That's no spanking, that's a slaughter.
277 agree | 245 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Uncle Pete, please open up that checkbook this winter!!!
324 agree | 277 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Trade Mora, Millar, Trachsel. Trade for Arod pay him and let him continue to be the best power hitter in baseball. Get the first baseman from Texas as soon as possible. One more starter and one relief pitcher. = winning season and some Oct. playing time.
317 agree | 324 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
The first thing they should do is decide what kind of team they're going to be (which is what MacPhail presumably is doing now). Then they can trade Daniel Cabrera and Steve Trachsel. Next get rid of Miggy and Mora in the off-season. And then they can ship out a few of the other role players listed. I actually would keep Jay Payton for veteran leadership. They need to be smart.
346 agree | 311 disagree
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Mr. Mirth Alert said:
Pfooey! The Orioles can win without Guerrero, A-Rod. or even Curt Schilling. Just start finding reasons to win, not excuses for losing. That's the mgr.'s job: to convince the team they're better than they are. But the crusty owner interprets that to mean they're better than he—& they are.
746 agree | 323 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
The four noisy people with HD? I guess i'll continue to watch a WINNING team in it's HD bliss!
333 agree | 320 disagree
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Scott S. said:
The self proclaimed king won't allow it
393 agree | 394 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
The Orioles is no longer a region team since the Nationals have come to Washington, DC, so what is the problem with Baltimore being on the road jersey. If it is a marketing issue the Orioles would profit from it and the fans would appreciate the recognition of the city and the team while on the road.
414 agree | 366 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Bring back the Baltimore road jersey!!! It would be a small concession to the fans that would go a long way to improving team relations under a dismal team win record. As for the "O's" caps; it is appropriate for a team that has been a bunch of zeros the past few years. Zero championships too.
404 agree | 374 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
How is this even an issue? Everyone knows that the Orioles are from Baltimore. I hate baseball and i know where every team is from without seeing the city name before the team name. Save your energy for the topics that matter.
390 agree | 375 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Shouldn't the Orioles ownership be proud of the fact that they're from Baltimore? Put it back.
394 agree | 400 disagree
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