By Josh Barr
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, September 22, 1998; Page C3

TORONTO, Sept. 21 – When Cal Ripken made the decision to sit out Sunday night's game, Baltimore Orioles Manager Ray Miller said there was no question who would be his replacement.

Ripken had said when he stepped aside, it would be for the good of the team and the organization. So when the opportunity presented itself, Miller knew that rookie Ryan Minor would be the one to succeed Ripken.

Minor, 24, is considered by many to be Ripken's likely successor. Minor was a two-sport standout at the University of Oklahoma, leading the baseball team to the College World Series title and the basketball team to the NCAA tournament. He went to training camp with the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers before giving up basketball and opting to play professional baseball.

Minor spent this past season at Class AA Bowie, batting .250 with 17 home runs and 71 RBI. He joined the Orioles on Sept. 12 and singled in his first major league at-bat the following night.

Still, Minor said he was not prepared Sunday night when, just before game time, Miller took him into a small room off the hallway leading to the Orioles' dugout and informed Minor he would be starting in Ripken's place.

"At first I though it was a joke, 'Yeah, right – playing a joke on the rookie,' " Minor said. "Once I realized he wasn't kidding, I didn't know what to think."

Minor said his parents, watching on a satellite dish from their home in Oklahoma, also got a thrill seeing him get his second major league start, his first at third base.

"They were watching just in case I got in to pinch-hit or they showed me on TV or something," Minor said.

Minor went 1 for 4 Sunday. In the field, he made a nice diving, backhanded catch of a line drive hit by Chuck Knoblauch.

Orioles Notes: The team's search for a general manager to replace Pat Gillick will accelerate following Gillick's announcement Sunday night that he will not return to the team once his contract expires after the season.

According to a source familiar with the process, the Orioles will begin interviewing the top four candidates – Cincinnati Reds GM Jim Bowden, Cleveland Indians assistant GM Dan O'Dowd, Florida Marlins assistant GM Frank Wren and Atlanta Braves assistant GM Dean Taylor – later this week.

Orioles executive Joe Foss has said he hopes to hire Gillick's successor before the World Series. However, it is likely a decision will be reached well before then. . . .

Bowie Baysox first baseman Calvin Pickering was named MVP of the Class AA Eastern League. Pickering, who made his major league debut with the Orioles on Saturday, hit .309 with a league-leading 31 home runs and 114 RBI.