1977 Topps Baseball #646 - Andres Mora

• Andres Mora was one of the greatest sluggers in Mexican League history. Mora played for a few years in the United States, but he always preferred to play in his native Mexico.
• Mora was signed by the Montreal Expos in 1973. He played briefly in Class A West Palm Beach, but was hitless in 21 at bats. Andres was released during spring training in 1974 and played in Mexico for the next two years. 
• Andres was purchased by the Baltimore Orioles late in the 1975 season. Mora didn't see any action in the U.S. in 1975, but in 1976 the Orioles assigned him to AAA Rochester. Mora batted .328 in 18 games and was called up to the majors in June. Mora was 21 years old in 1976 and was used as the right-handed designated hitter for much of the season. Mora was getting used to major league pitching and batted .218 with 6 HR and 25 RBI in 73 games.
• Mora had his best year for the Orioles in 1977. He was still a platoon player and manager Earl Weaver was having a hard time finding him playing time. Andres batted .245 with 13 HR and 44 RBI in 1977.
• In 1978 Mora started the season in Rochester and then was brought up in May. Andres was a backup outfielder and DH and batted .214 with 8 HR and 14 RBI. 
• Andres was optioned to Rochester to start the 1979 season. Rochester then optioned Mora to Saltillo in the Mexican League. 
• After the 1979 season Mora was taken by the Cleveland Indians in the Rule 5 draft. Unfortunately for Mora, "Super Joe" Charboneau emerged and eventually was the AL Rookie of the Year. Andres played in only nine games for the Indians (2 for 18, .111 ). Mora was going to be sent down to AAA in May but instead he decided to play in Mexico.
• Mora had a lot of success in the Mexican League and was second all-time in home runs (419) by the time he retired in 1997. Andres has been managing and coaching in the Mexican League for most of the time since his retirement.
• Andres Mora's SABR biography
• 1977 Stats: .245, 13 HR, 44 RBI
• 1977 Highlights:
• July 15 - Knocked in two runs and scored another as the Orioles beat the Milwaukee Brewers 4-2.
• Aug 14 - Hit a 3-run home run to help the Orioles beat the Oakland A's 5-4.
• Other card blogs: 1979