Ripken's owner's announced on Instagram that he passed away on New Year's Day from complications from a serious and undiagnosed medical condition.
He was a staple on the diamond retrieving bats and could also be seen regularly running out to get the kicking tee on gamedays at Carter-Finley Stadium.
Ripken also appeared at Carolina Hurricanes games and very recently a Carolina Panthers game.
In a statement posted on his Instagram account his family said in part:
"Thank you, Ripken, for all the amazing memories you have given us. You were once in a lifetime dog and will be so incredibly missed."