All-Decade Team: Relief Pitcher

When the Wild Things signed B.J. Borsa in April of 2004, they weren't sure what role the former University of Cincinnati pitcher would fill. Like many pitchers who come to the Frontier League, Borsa was a starter in college and a reliever in the minor leagues. In Borsa's case, he spent one year in the bullpen, with solid results, in the Cincinnati Reds' system.

In two years with Washington, Borsa was used a in variety of roles and situations. He spent one month as a starter, some time as a middle reliever and one spectacular season as a closer. It was that 2004 season, as the anchor of the Wild Things' bullpen, that landed Borsa a spot on the All-Decade Team as a relief pitcher.

Borsa was a hard-throwing, straight-over-the-top, maximum-effort pitcher. And he filled up the strike zone, which made him an ideal closer in the Frontier League.

Borsa's 2004 season was one of the best by a Wild Things pitcher. He had a 7-1 record, 2.12 ERA and led the league with 19 saves. He had 50 strikeouts and only 14 walks in 46.2 innings. His 5.79 hits allowed per nine innings is the third-best in franchise history, topped only by Jim Popp (5.43) in 2004 and Steve Grife (5.40) last year.

Borsa was converted to a starter in 2005, but he was only 1-3 with a 7.05 ERA in seven starts and was sent back to the bullpen in July. For the year, Borsa was 2-4 with one save and 5.53 ERA. He closed the season with a string of 12.1 consecutive scoreless innings, which included a four-inning save against Richmond.

But for his 2004 season alone, Borsa lands a spot on the All-Decade Team.

All-Decade Relief Pitcher: B.J. Borsa (2004-05).