Orioles' Mora hot but he's been clutch all year
No one could have ever expected this kind of production from Melvin Mora but actually, the Orioles' third baseman has been clutch all season.
Obviously, his 10-for-13 weekend against the Tigers, including a six-RBI day in a 16-8 win yesterday, is "zone" stuff but if you look at the bigger picture, More has been spectacularly consistent when it has counted. Overall, he's hitting .286 with 20 home runs and 91 RBIs. But with men on base, he's hitting .330. With men in scoring position, he's even better at .372. And in the critical situation of men in scoring position with two out, he's .345. Not bad for a 36-year-old that some folks though may be on the down side after 2007 when his numbers dropped in games played, home runs and RBIs.
The Orioles' hitting yesterday masked another poor performance for Garrett Olson who didn't get out of the second inning and left with the game tied, 5-5. Baltimore is creeping close to the .500 mark again and come home for three series against three tough opponents, the Red Sox, Yankees and White Sox.
Comments
I'll admit Mora has surprised me this year. I've definitely enjoyed him as an Oriole, but I did think he was done after last year. But he's proven me (and many others) wrong this year. The key though is next year.
The O's will be able to use this season as a foundation (finally) for next year and beyond. Yet with no major league-ready 3B in the system, he'll probably be counted on to produce similarly next year.
Mora has been quoted as saying he wants to play till 50. With the Orioles track record of drafting successful 3B (the last good one being some guy named Ripken), we may need him to.
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Alex,
Unless that Mike Costanzo puts it in high gear, you're right ... Melvin could be with us a long time.
-- Bill O.
Posted by: Alex | August 18, 2008 10:46 AM
Does anyone else think the Jamaican sprinters results are suspicious? A country that never won a gold in women's or men's 100 meters now wins men's gold, plus women's gold/silver/bronze? Wouldn't surprise me to see that it wasn't done with some non-natural substances.
Rich
Posted by: Rich | August 18, 2008 10:47 AM
I believe Melvin Mora is a natural ballplayer. His passion shows when you need him as Cal Ripken. As in any career when the "going gets tuff" the "tuff gets going". Melvin loves the game it shows though his actions. Not only does Melivin love baseball he also has a wonderful family which he truly loves. It is all about "balance" with career and family. Melvin has best of both worlds. Loves "family" and baseball! Go Melvin Mora!
Posted by: Sherry Shiroky President | August 20, 2008 7:54 AM