I love Melvin and Miggy!!!!11/03/2004
11:00 AM ET
Tejada, Mora are 'Silver Sluggers'
Honored as top AL offensive third baseman, shortstop
By Gary Washburn / MLB.com
Melvin Mora and Miguel Tejada led the way as the Orioles set a club record for batting average (.281), runs scored (842) and doubles in a season (319). (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE -- When the Orioles moved Melvin Mora to third base for his first permanent starting job and then added $72 million shortstop Miguel Tejada from the Oakland A's, the club had a good idea the duo would be productive.
However, first-year manager Lee Mazzilli watched as
both delivered career seasons in leading the O's to their best offensive season in team history. Mora and Tejada quickly became friends as well as
one of the league's top duos on the left side of the infield.
So it was no surprise that Mora and Tejada were both chosen for the Silver Slugger award as the best offensive players and their respective positions. It is the first Silver Slugger for each player.
Mora was second in the American League with a .340 average and led the league with a .419 on-base percentage. He also set personal career highs in home runs (27) and RBIs (104).
Tejada led the league and set a club record with 150 RBIs in his first season with the Orioles. He also set career highs with a .311 average, a .360 on-base percentage and .534 slugging percentage.
"I think it's great," executive vice president Jim Beattie said. "They both had tremendous years, I don't know if there is a better shortstop-third base combination in baseball."
Mora adjusted well to third base defensively after a rough start and never allowed his early errors to affect his offense. He emerged as one of the more versatile offensive players in the Major Leagues, finishing in the top 10 in seven offensive categories.
He was fifth with a .562 slugging percentage, sixth in runs (111), eight in hits (187), ninth in total bases (309) and he also hit .533 with the bases loaded.
"I think they are going to feel even more comfortable this year," Beattie said. "Melvin was strong offensively all year, rather than moving around in the field, he seems very settled playing one position."
Tejada is an AL MVP candidate and put up even better numbers than his MVP year of 2002. He was eighth in the league in home runs, fourth in hits (203) and ninth in doubles (40). He also helped galvanize the Orioles' clubhouse with his leadership and enthusiasm.
The Orioles set a club record for batting average (.281), runs scored (842) and doubles in a season (319).
"I think the more they work together, the better they will be," Beattie said. "We hope it gets even better in the future."
Gary Washburn is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Mighty Melvin & Miggy!!!
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