Veterans' Day
The Wild Things said goodbye to two veterans (by Frontier League eligibility standards) Wednesday. Trimmed from the roster were outfielder Mike Arbinger, who has played more games than anyone in Wild Things history, and right-handed pitcher Jimmy Barrett, who was once on the Houston Astros' 40-man roster. Both Arbinger and Barrett were put on the retired list.
Arbinger did not show up for spring training, which began Wednesday. Barrett was in Washington on Tuesday and worked out at Consol Energy Park but was gone less than 24 hours later. Roster moves in the last two weeks sealed the fate of both Arbinger and Barrett. Washington signed outfielder Jarod Rine and re-signed pitcher Aaron Ledbetter. Both are veterans, as are Arbinger and Barrett. There was simply no room on the roster for them because Rine, Ledbetter and catcher/first baseman Mario Garza were getting the three spots resrved for veterans.
Watching the Wild Things play without Arbinger in the lineup and batting in the No. 3 spot will take some getting used to. When you think of Wild Things players, Arbinger is probably the first who comes to mind. He isn't the fastest player the team has had (Arbinger doesn't run, he sorta waddles like Ron Cey did -- I know, I'm dating myself with that reference), or the one with the most power, or the guy who will hit for the highest average. Yet what Arbinger brought to the Wild Things was an intense desire to win and a flair for the dramatic. The Wild Things have had plenty of come-from-behind wins in the last 3 years, and it seemed as if Arbinger -- even when he was struggling, like early last season -- would deliver the key in all of them. One that comes to mind was late last year at Florence when he hit a game-tying home run with two outs in the top of the ninth and Washington won in extra innings.
It will be interesting to see if anyone can match Arbinger's ability to produce in the clutch.
Arbinger did not show up for spring training, which began Wednesday. Barrett was in Washington on Tuesday and worked out at Consol Energy Park but was gone less than 24 hours later. Roster moves in the last two weeks sealed the fate of both Arbinger and Barrett. Washington signed outfielder Jarod Rine and re-signed pitcher Aaron Ledbetter. Both are veterans, as are Arbinger and Barrett. There was simply no room on the roster for them because Rine, Ledbetter and catcher/first baseman Mario Garza were getting the three spots resrved for veterans.
Watching the Wild Things play without Arbinger in the lineup and batting in the No. 3 spot will take some getting used to. When you think of Wild Things players, Arbinger is probably the first who comes to mind. He isn't the fastest player the team has had (Arbinger doesn't run, he sorta waddles like Ron Cey did -- I know, I'm dating myself with that reference), or the one with the most power, or the guy who will hit for the highest average. Yet what Arbinger brought to the Wild Things was an intense desire to win and a flair for the dramatic. The Wild Things have had plenty of come-from-behind wins in the last 3 years, and it seemed as if Arbinger -- even when he was struggling, like early last season -- would deliver the key in all of them. One that comes to mind was late last year at Florence when he hit a game-tying home run with two outs in the top of the ninth and Washington won in extra innings.
It will be interesting to see if anyone can match Arbinger's ability to produce in the clutch.
posted by Chris Dugan at
11:00 PM
5 Comments:
I wonder if they have a Mike Arbinger Bobblehead scheduled?
Remember the Joe Cuervo Bobblehead that was given out after he was cut.
Its sad to see Arby go, but I wish him the best. Hopefully he gets his shot elsewhere(as long as it isnt with another FL team).
I think i remember Chris Carter batting third.
You're right that Carter did bat in the No. 3 spot last year. Arbinger hit third in his first two seasons in Washington along with the first half of 2006. When Carter became the hottest hitter in the league during the second half of 2006, he and Arbinger flipped spots in the batting order.
I am wondering why Arby didn't show up for camp. he was and problay will be on of the best players the Wild Things have had, so this makes my wonder. Any ideas?
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