Baltimore Orioles: Six days until pitchers and catchers report

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Baltimore Orioles Melvin Mora slides into home plate against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays July 23, 2006 in St. Petersburg. The Orioles defeated the Rays 4 – 2. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/WireImage) /

#2. Melvin Mora (2000-2009)

Melvin, Melvin, Melvin, where do I begin?

On July 28, 2000, Melvin Mora was traded to the Baltimore Orioles, along with pitcher Leslie Brea, utility-man Mike Kinkade, and minor leaguer Pat Gorman, for Shortstop, Mike Bordick.

He almost immediately made an impact in Baltimore, hitting .291 in 53 games that season, with nine doubles and 17 RBI’s. Mora took the place of Bordick at Shortstop this season, before being shifted into a utility role for the next few seasons.

Mora moved to third base at the beginning of the 2004 season, and he remained there for the rest of his tenure in Baltimore.

In 1,256 games with the Orioles, Mora was a two-time All-Star, won the Silver Slugger award and led the American League in On-Base Percentage (.419) in 2004. That same season, Mora led the Orioles in batting average (.340), On-Base Percentage and Slugging Percentage (.562).

Likewise, 2004 was Mora’s best season defensively, as he led the American League in putouts as a third baseman (122) and was ranked second in errors committed (21).

Mora currently sits 20th all-time in WAR for the Orioles, as his total 29 Wins Against Replacement ranks just above former double-play partner, Brian Roberts (28.9).

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