All-Decade Team: Outfield

Who was the best player in Wild Things history?

There are several ways to answer this. You can say Chris Sidick because he holds numerous Frontier League career records. You also could answer Mike Arbinger because he was an impact player for three seasons and the only Wild Thing to be named MVP in an All-Star game. Maybe you like pitching and prefer Aaron Ledbetter and his record-setting career. And let's not forget that pitcher Tom Cochran is the only former Washington player to make it to the major leagues, albeit for only two days.

Each of those would be a good answer. However, if you've followed the Wild Things for all 10 of their seasons in the Frontier League, your answer to the above question should be Josh Loggins.

Loggins joined the Wild Things in late June of 2002 after being released from the New York Yankees' Class AA affiliate. He was the final piece to Washington's push to the East Division title. Playing center field, Loggins batted .347 with five home runs and 45 RBI in 60 games.

In 2003, Loggins became the only Wild Things player to be named the Frontier League's Most Valuable Player when he batted .331 with 24 home rusn and 75 RBI in 74 games. He also stole 15 bases.

Loggins was signed by the Colorado Rockies in late August because the Rockies had an injury to their Class AA first baseman and needed a replacement with experience at that level. When Loggins left Washington, he took with him the Wild Things' chance to win the Frontier League championship. It was too late in the year to make a trade or sign an impact player to fill the void in the middle of the lineup.

Loggins' value to the Wild Things can be seen in his offensive numbers, but a better set of statistics are these: The Wild Things' record in 2002-03 without Loggins on the roster: 19-16. With Loggins on the roster: 91-46.

While Loggins was shifted to catcher in 2003, he ended his Washingtob career having played 68 games in the outfield and 60 at catcher, thus he qualifies for the All-Decade Team as an outfielder.

Loggins currently works for Prudential Financial and was a coach for the Lafayette (Ind.) team in last year's Colt League World Series.

All-Decade Team Outfielder: Josh Loggins (2002-03)