All-Decade Team: Outfield

When the Wild Things opened camp for the 2004 season, there were two burning questions: 1. Could new manager John Massarelli continue the success started by Jeff Isom, who left Washington for Joliet and the Northern League? 2. Could the Wild Things find a replacement for slugger Josh Loggins, who won the Frontier League's MVP Award the previos season?

Both questions were quickly answered in a resounding yes.

Massarelli took the Wild Things to the playoffs for four consecutive seasons, and Washington found another power bat in the middle of the lineup by making a seemingly minor trade after camp began to acquire Mike Arbinger from Gary of the Northern League in one of the those famous player-to-be-named-later deals.

If I recall correctly, Arbinger originally wasn't excited to be in Washington because the pay was better in the Northern League and it was a little closer to his home of Toledo, Ohio. However, Arbinger quickly took a liking to the Wild Things, and their fans made the lefty hitter one of their favorites.

Arbinger, who spent two seasons in the Pirates' minor-league system, batted .299 with six home runs in his first year in Washington. Then, in 2005, his power numbers went to 12 home runs and 29 doubles. He batted .317 that year and drove in 88 runs, which was the franchise single-single record.

Also in 2005, Arbinger played in Frontier League All-Star Game at then-Falconi Field -- the only one held in Washington -- in which he was named MVP.

After the season, Arbinger became the second Washington outfielder to be selected for the all-league team, following Jack Headley in 2004.

Arbinger's production slipped in 2006 to .273 with 22 doubles, eight home runs and 53 RBI -- most players would love to have such a "down year" -- and he was released during the 2006-07 offseason.

The first three-year starter for the Wild Things, Mike Arbinger earned a spot on the all-decade team.

All-Decade Team Outfielder: Mike Arbinger (2004-06)