Melvin Mora, John Lowenstein and Gary Roenicke elected to Orioles Hall of Fame

The Orioles today announced that former Orioles third baseman Melvin Mora has been elected to the Orioles Hall of Fame. Additionally, the former left field platoon duo of John Lowenstein and Gary Roenicke will be enshrined as selections of the Veteran's Committee, and long-time Orioles scout Fred Uhlman Sr. will be inducted as this year's Herb Armstrong Award winner. Mora, Roenicke, and Uhlman will be honored at a luncheon at Oriole Park sponsored by the Oriole Advocates, founders of the Orioles Hall of Fame, on Friday, August 14 at noon, as well as during an on-field ceremony prior to the Orioles game against the Oakland Athletics later that evening. Lowenstein will be unable to attend either event due to a previous engagement.

Mora played nine and a half seasons with the Orioles from 2000-2009, compiling a .280 batting average and 158 home runs. His 808 games played at third base are second only to Brooks Robinson on the club's all-time list. Mora is also among the club's career leaders in doubles (8th, 252), RBI (8th, 662), home runs (10th, 158), runs (10th, 709), total bases (10th, 2,073), hits (11th, 1,323), walks (11th, 465), games played (12th, 1,256) and at-bats (12th, 4,733).

Acquired from the Mets in July of 2000, Mora started at six different defensive positions in his first four seasons with the Orioles before moving to third base in 2004. In 2004, Mora set the Orioles' single-season record with a .340 batting average, while also posting career-highs in home runs (27) and RBI (104). A two-time All-Star, Mora also won a Silver Slugger Award and was twice named AL Player of the Month.

The left-handed hitting Lowenstein and right-handed hitting Roenicke split playing time in left field for the Orioles from 1979-1985 under the direction of manager Earl Weaver. The duo combined to hit 171 home runs and registered 574 RBI in the seven seasons they played together for the Orioles. In their first season platooning in left, they combined for 36 home runs and 98 RBI, helping the Orioles win the 1979 American League pennant.

Their most productive season came in 1982, when they combined for 45 home runs and drove in 140 runs as the club fell one game short of winning the AL East title. The following year, the duo hit 34 home runs with 124 RBI, playing a pivotal role in the Orioles' third World Series title.

Lowenstein was a utility player in nine seasons with Cleveland and Texas before the Orioles acquired him on waivers after the 1978 season. He hit .274 with 68 homers and 237 RBI over seven seasons with the Orioles. Roenicke was acquired from Montreal in December of 1977 and spent eight of his 12 big league seasons, batting .250 with 103 homers and 337 RBI with the Orioles.

Before retiring earlier this year, Uhlman spent 46 years in professional scouting, including the last three decades with the Orioles. He joined the Orioles as Scouting Director in January of 1985 and later served as a Special Assistant and Professional Scout.

Uhlman established the Orioles' first baseball academies in the Dominican Republic and Venezuela, and also was responsible for signing Jeff Ballard, Steve Finley, Gregg Olson, Arthur Rhodes and David Segui among many other players for the club.

Tickets for the luncheon on August 14 are available by calling Ann Serio at 410-247-2703. Tickets for the induction ceremony and the Orioles-Athletics game that evening are available at www.orioles.com or by calling 1-888-848-BIRD.

A complete list of members of the Orioles Hall of Fame and Herb Armstrong Award recipients can be found at www.orioles.com/hof.