http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/12/melvin-mora-retires.html
By Mark Polishuk [December 29, 2011 at 8:37pm CST]
Utilityman Melvin Mora has announced his retirement, reports Rafael Rojas
Cremonesi of Meridiano Deportes (via Twitter). The 39-year-old Mora was
released by the Diamondbacks in June and had hoped to play for the Orioles or
another east coast team in 2012, but instead has hung up the cleats after 13
Major League seasons.
Mora signed an amateur contract with the Astros in 1991 and finally reached
the Majors in 1999 as a New York Met. He made an immediate impression in his
rookie year, posting a 1.143 OPS in 16 plate appearances in the 1999 NLCS as
the Mets lost in six games to the Braves.
After being dealt to the Orioles in July 2000 as part of a four-player
package for Mike Bordick, Mora became a Baltimore fixture for much of the
decade. Mora was a two-time All-Star for the O's, hitting .294/.366/.469
between 2003-08 (including a league-best .419 OBP in 2004) and settling in as
the Orioles' third baseman in 2004 after playing all over the diamond in his
first four seasons with the team. The O's declined his contract option after
the 2009 campaign and Mora went on to play a season each with the Rockies and
D'backs.
Mora retires with 1503 hits, 171 homers, and a .277/.350/.431 slash line in
1556 Major League games. According to Baseball Reference, Mora made just
under $40.5MM during his career.