Melvin Mora was a good player on some really bad Oriole teams, which is unfortunate. Even though it’s easy to overlook a player in those circumstances, Mora deserves recognition for his performance during those lean years at Camden Yards.
Thinking back to the early 2000s, several things stick out in my memory about Melvin Mora. The way he would crowd the plate and hang his elbows over the dish, almost asking to get hit. In fact, he is second all-time among Oriole players in HBP at 107, trailing only Brady Anderson (149) in that category.
He would waggle the bat while awaiting the pitcher’s delivery, always adept at taking the ball the other way.