Born in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, on July 30, 1923, Minner was listed at 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) and 210 lb (95 kg).
Minner was signed by the Dodgers[1] and began minor league play in 1941, but service as a master sergeant in the United States Army during World War II interrupted his baseball career from 1943 through 1945.[2]
Minner surrendered the first home run in Frank Robinson's career on April 28, 1956.[3] It was the first of Robinson's 586 career home runs, seventh all-time.