Melvin Mora is a former professional baseball player who played in the Major League Baseball (MLB) for over a decade. He was born on February 2, 1972, in Aqua Negra, Venezuela. Mora started his baseball career in the minor leagues in 1991, playing for the Houston Astros organization. He made his MLB debut in 1999 with the New York Mets.
Mora played for several teams during his career, including the Mets, Baltimore Orioles, Colorado Rockies, and Arizona Diamondbacks. He was primarily a third baseman and outfielder, but he also played shortstop and second base. Mora was known for his versatility and ability to play multiple positions.
During his career, Mora was a two-time All-Star, in 2003 and 2005. He also won the Silver Slugger Award in 2004, which is given to the best offensive player at each position in both the American and National Leagues. Mora had a career batting average of .277, with 171 home runs and 731 runs batted in (RBIs).
One of Mora's best seasons was in 2004, when he played for the Orioles. He hit .340 with 27 home runs and 104 RBIs, leading the team in all three categories. He also had a career-high 41 doubles that season. Mora's performance earned him the Silver Slugger Award and helped him finish ninth in the American League Most Valuable Player (MVP) voting.
Mora was also known for his defensive skills. He won the Gold Glove Award twice, in 2001 and 2003, for his play in the outfield. He was also a finalist for the award in 2004 and 2005.
Mora retired from baseball in 2012, after playing for the Rockies and Diamondbacks in his final season. He finished his career with a .991 fielding percentage, which is the highest among third basemen in MLB history with at least 1,000 games played at the position.
Off the field, Mora was known for his charitable work. He established the Melvin Mora Foundation in 2002, which provides assistance to underprivileged children in his native Venezuela and in the United States. Mora also served as a coach for the Venezuelan national baseball team in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.
In conclusion, Melvin Mora was a versatile and talented baseball player who had a successful career in the MLB. He was a two-time All-Star, a Silver Slugger Award winner, and a two-time Gold Glove Award winner. Mora was also known for his charitable work and continues to be involved in baseball as a coach.
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