| Aaron Rowand | |
|---|---|
 Rowand with the San Francisco Giants | |
| Center fielder | |
| Born: (1977-08-29)August 29, 1977 (age 47) Portland, Oregon, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| June 16, 2001, for the Chicago White Sox | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| August 30, 2011, for the San Francisco Giants | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .273 |
| Home runs | 136 |
| Runs batted in | 536 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Aaron Ryan Rowand (born August 29, 1977) is an American former professionalbaseballcenter fielder inMajor League Baseball. He played for theChicago White Sox,Philadelphia Phillies, and theSan Francisco Giants and won twoWorld Series championships. During his playing days, Rowand stood 6 feet (1.8 m) tall and weighed 210 pounds (95 kg). He batted and threw right-handed.[1]
Born inPortland, Oregon, Rowand was raised inGlendora, California. He attendedCalifornia State University, Fullerton, where he was named anAll-American in 1998.Drafted by the White Sox in the first round that year, he debuted with the team in 2001. By 2004, he was the team's everyday center fielder. He hit 24home runs in 2004,batting .310. In 2005, he was part of the White Sox team that defeated theHouston Astros in theWorld Series for their first championship since 1917. After the season, he was traded to the Phillies as part of a trade that sentJim Thome to Chicago. During his time with Chicago, Rowand was extremely popular with White Sox fans, owing to his all-out style of play.
On May 11, 2006, Rowand made a spectacular catch, smashing face-first into the wall to robXavier Nady of a hit. He had his best season in 2007, playing in his onlyAll-Star Game, hitting a career-high 27 home runs, winning aGold Glove Award, and finishing 22nd inMost Valuable Player Award voting. Afree agent after that season, he signed a five-year, $60 million contract with the Giants. Though he led NL outfielders inrange factor in 2008, his statistics were not as good as they had been earlier in his career. By 2010, he was no longer the team's regular center fielder, having lost the job toAndrés Torres. However, Rowand became a World Series champion for the second time when the Giants defeated theTexas Rangers in2010. In August 2011, he wasdesignated for assignment and released. Following his playing career, he served as a backup broadcaster and minor league coach in the White Sox organization.
Aaron Ryan Rowand was born on August 29, 1977, inPortland, Oregon, and grew up inGlendora, California.[2] His father, Bob, was employed in the air conditioning business. When Rowand was about 10 years old, he frequently playedslow-pitch softball in an adult league with his dad.[3] He graduated fromGlendora High School in 1995.[4] Rowand was the only Glendora player to have hisnumber retired untilAdam Plutko in 2020. According to his high school coach, Rowandhit over .650 during his time at Glendora.[5] He was drafted by theNew York Mets in the 40th round of the1995 Major League Baseball (MLB) draft, but chose to go to college instead of signing with the team.[2]
Rowand attendedCalifornia State University, Fullerton, playing for their baseball team (theTitans) from 1996 through 1998.[6]
During his senior season, Rowand set a Cal State Fullerton record with 27doubles.[7] Rowand earnedAll-America honors in 1998 as the Titans won theBig West South Division title. Over his three years with the college team, he batted .345 with 126runs scored, 180hits, 39 doubles, sixtriples, 23home runs, and 121runs batted in (RBI). Hestole 32 bases.[6]
After graduating, Rowand would return to Cal State Fullerton for its annual Alumni Game. In 1996 and 1997, he playedcollegiate summer baseball with theBrewster Whitecaps of theCape Cod Baseball League, where he was named a league all-star both seasons.[8][9][10]
In 1998, Rowand was selected by theChicago White Sox in the first round (35th pick) of thedraft.[2] He started his professional career that season with theSingle-AHickory Crawdads of theSouth Atlantic League. Playing 61 games for the club, he batted .342, hitting five home runs and recording 32 RBI. The following year, he played his first full professional season with theSingle-A advancedWinston-Salem Warthogs of theCarolina League, batting .279 in 133 games. He led the team in doubles (37), home runs (24), and RBI (88).[3]
In 2000, Rowand played for theDouble-ABirmingham Barons of theSouthern League. He hit 20 home runs and recorded 98 RBI while playing in 139 games. According to Brittany Ghiroli ofMLB.com, "By spring 2001, the futureNational LeagueAll-Star looked primed to break through to the big leagues."[3] Rowand began the year with theTriple-ACharlotte Knights of theInternational League, where through the middle of June he had 16 home runs and 48 RBI in 62 games.[3]
In June 2001, Rowand was called up to the White Sox for the first time.[1] He made his major league debut for them the next day as apinch hitter against theSt. Louis Cardinals.[3][11] He collected his first major league hit on June 19, 2001, in the first game of adoubleheader. The hit came againstKansas City Royals' pitcherTony Cogan in Chicago's 5–3 victory.[12][13] On July 7, he hit his first major league home run againstJason Schmidt in a 4–1 win over thePittsburgh Pirates.[12][14] Although he was initially used sparingly, in the middle of July Rowand began splitting time withChris Singleton in center field.[12][15] In 63 games (123at bats), he batted .293 with 21 runs scored, 36 hits, five doubles, four home runs, and 20 RBI.[2]
Rowand was part of theOpening Day roster for the White Sox in 2002, but he spent much of the season as a reserve outfielder.[16] Following the trade ofKenny Lofton to theSan Francisco Giants on July 28, Rowand became the everyday center fielder for much of the rest of the year.[16][17] Only batting .204 through July 28, Rowand batted .291 for the remainder of the season.[16] On August 13, he four hits and scored three runs in a 12–3 victory over theTexas Rangers.[18] He had four RBI on September 11, including a two-run home run againstDarrell May, in a 9–6 loss to Kansas City.[19] In 126 games (302 at bats), he batted .258 with 41 runs scored, 78 hits, 16 doubles, seven home runs, and 29 RBI.[2]
Rowand suffered a broken left shoulder blade and rib in adirt bike accident in the 2002–03 offseason and spent part of 2003spring training recovering.[20] He was ready in time for Opening Day and began 2003 as the regular center fielder.[21] After hitting .133 in his first 28 games, Rowand was sent to Charlotte in early May. In 32 games with the Knights, he batted .242 with three home runs and 13 RBI before getting recalled to rejoin the White Sox around June 10.[21][22] Though mostly a backup outfielder for the rest of the year, he hit .381 for the rest of the season.[21] In 93 games (170 at bats), he batted .287 with 22 runs scored, 45 hits, eight doubles, six home runs, and 24 RBI.[2]
In 2004, Rowand held the centerfield job for the entire season.[23] On May 23, he scored four runs, recorded four hits, and hit a three-run home run againstTerry Mulholland as the White Sox beat theMinnesota Twins by a score of 17–7.[24] He had four hits and scored three runs on July 19 in a 12–6 win over the Rangers.[25] Facing theBoston Red Sox on August 13, he hit two home runs in a game for the first time, both coming againstTim Wakefield, as the White Sox won 8–7.[26] Five days later, he had another two-home-run game, hitting his first evergrand slam againstJeremy Bonderman in a 9–2 victory over theDetroit Tigers.José Contreras, thestarting pitcher for the White Sox in both of Rowand's two-home-run games, said, "I owe him something a little bigger than dinner."[27] In 140 games (487 at bats), Rowand batted .310 with 94 runs scored, 151 hits, 38 doubles, 24 home runs, and 69 RBI. He set a career high with 17 stolen bases.[2] His 5.7Wins Above Replacement (WAR) figure was seventh in theAmerican League (AL) and fourth among AL position players (trailing onlyIchiro Suzuki's 9.2,Alex Rodriguez's 7.6, andMiguel Tejada's 7.4).[28]
On June 10, 2005, with the White Sox leading theSan Diego Padres by two runs in the seventh inning, Rowand made two run-saving plays. First, he threw outPhil Nevin in a close play at third base. Next, with runners on second and third and two outs, he made a diving catch to robKhalil Greene of a hit and end the inning. The White Sox won 4–2.[29] Two days later, after entering the game as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning, Rowand hit a go-ahead, three-run, 10th-inning home run againstTrevor Hoffman, helping the White Sox beat the Padres 8–5.[30] Rowand had three hits and scored three runs on July 16 in a 7–5 victory over theCleveland Indians.[31] On September 13, he had four hits and a career-high three doubles in a 6–4 win over theKansas City Royals. White Sox managerOzzie Guillén said, "Rowand had a big night. From now on somebody needs to step up and be a hero every game. Tonightit was Rowand."[32] In 2005, he had a .270 batting average with 77 runs and 30 doubles. Rowand also hit 13 home runs and stole 16 bases.[2] He walked 32 times and struck out 116.[2] He had a .329on-base percentage (OBP) and a .407slugging percentage (SLG). He also collected 235total bases.[2] Defensively, he collected 388 putouts and committed only threeerrors, for a .978fielding percentage.[2] His defensive WAR of 1.9 was the seventh-best in the AL.[33]
The White Sox won theAL Central title, advancing to the playoffs for the first time in Rowand's career.[34] In the first game of theAL Division Series (ALDS) against theBoston Red Sox, he slammed into the wall chasing after a ball even though the White Sox were up by 14 runs.[35] He batted .400 with two RBI in the ALDS, which Chicago swept in three games.[2] In theAL Championship Series (ALCS), he batted .167 with three hits (all doubles), three runs scored, and one RBI as the White Sox defeated theLos Angeles Angels in five games.[36] Against theHouston Astros in theWorld Series, he batted .294. Though he had no RBI, he scored two runs and had five hits as the White Sox swept the Astros, earning their first World Series championship since1917.[36][37]
During his time in Chicago, Rowand was a favorite of the fans because of his style of play. He would run hard after balls hit to center field, not afraid to crash into the outfield wall if it was necessary to make a catch.[38] "White Sox fans have always reserved a special place for Aaron because of his all-out style of play and love for the game," observed Director of Player DevelopmentNick Capra in 2015.[39]
After the 2005 season, on November 23, Rowand was traded with minor league pitchersGio González and Daniel Haigwood to thePhiladelphia Phillies forfirst basemanJim Thome.[2] Chicago wanted Thome for his skill at hitting home runs, and Philadelphia needed a new center fielder because it was not planning to re-sign Lofton.[40]
Rowand's bases-loaded triple in the seventh inning againstMatt Herges of theFlorida Marlins on May 2, 2006, brought the Phillies from a one-run deficit to a 7–5 lead, which they would hold for the rest of the game.[41] On May 11, in the first inning against the Mets, Rowand made a spectacular play by smashing into the center field fence ofCitizens Bank Park face first at full speed in order to run down a deep fly ball off the bat ofXavier Nady with the bases loaded. Had the ball fallen for a hit, three runs likely would have scored. "It might be the best catch I've ever seen," said managerCharlie Manuel, praising Rowand's "effort and determination".[42] Robert Knapel ofBleacher Report named it the 12th-best catch in baseball history in 2012, and, in 2019, Thomas Harrigan ofMLB.com listed the catch as among the best ever.[43][44] Rain shortened the game to five innings, and the Phillies won 2–0.[45] Rowand suffered a broken nose and severe lacerations to his face as a result of running into the wall.[42] He underwent seven hours of surgery to repair the nose, and was placed on the 15-daydisabled list.[42] He returned to the starting lineup on May 27.[46]
After batting .301 through June 5, Rowand hit .236 for the remainder of the season.[46] On August 20, he had four hits and scored three runs in a 12–10 victory over theWashington Nationals.[47] The next day, against theChicago Cubs, Rowand collided with Philadelphia second basemanChase Utley and broke his ankle. He was on the disabled list for the remainder of the regular season.[48] In 109 games (445 at bats), Rowand batted .262 with 59 runs scored, 106 hits, 24 doubles, 12 home runs, and 47 RBI. He recorded 10 stolen bases, the last time in his career he would steal more than six.[2]
Set to become afree agent for the first time after the 2007 season, Rowand made the year his best offensively.[49] Against the White Sox on June 13, 2007, Rowand had a pinch-hit RBI groundout in the sixth inning, then hit a grand slam againstMatt Thornton in the seventh inning, helping the Phillies win 8–4.[50] For the first time in his career in 2007, Rowand was selected to theAll-Star Game.[2] He came to bat in the bottom of the ninth with the bases loaded, two outs, and the National League (NL) trailing 5–4. However, Rowand flew out toAlex Ríos in right field to end the game.[51] He had a season-high five hits on July 17 against theLos Angeles Dodgers, also scoring three times and hitting back-to-back home runs withPat Burrell againstRudy Seánez in Philadelphia's 15–3 triumph.[52][53] Rowand also had four-hit games on April 27, July 14, and September 22, all Philadelphia victories.[52] With the Phillies thick in the hunt for the playoffs late in the season, on September 17, Rowand hit two home runs against theSt. Louis Cardinals. Then, in the eighth inning, he fell to the ground on thewarning track as he robbedRyan Ludwick of a hit that would have driven in the runs to put the Cardinals ahead. Philadelphia won 13–11.[54] He finished the season with a batting average of .309, 105 runs scored (10th in the NL), 189 hits (eighth in the NL), 45 doubles (sixth in the NL), 27 home runs, 89 RBI, and six stolen bases.[2][55] He earned his firstGold Glove Award for his outfield play that year, leading the NL with 11 outfieldassists. Committing only two errors all season, Rowand led NL outfielders with a .995 fielding percentage. He finished 22nd in NLMost Valuable Player Award voting.[2]
Winners of theNL East in 2007, the Phillies faced theColorado Rockies in theNLDS.[56] Rowand and Burrell hit back-to-back home runs againstJeff Francis to start the fifth inning of Game 1, which Philadelphia would lose 4–2.[57] That was his only hit of the series, which Philadelphia lost in three games.[36]
Rowand signed a five-year, $60 million contract with the San Francisco Giants on December 12, 2007, becoming the team's primary offseason free agent signing.[49][58] In the face of dismal expectations for the team's 2008 season, Rowand proposed in January that the Giants could win theNL West "if guys have some good years".[58] He had three RBIs apiece in back-to-back games against the Marlins on May 23 and 25, the first an 8–2 victory and the second an 8–6 loss in the first game of a doubleheader.[59] In the latter game, he hit his 100th career home run, againstMark Hendrickson.[60] Rowand had one other three-RBI game, which came on August 6 in a 3–2 win over theAtlanta Braves.[59][61] He batted .342 in his first 54 games (through June 2), but his average was only .233 from June 3 through the rest of the season.[59] On August 13, he had a season-high four hits and scored a run in a 5–4 victory over the Dodgers.[59][62] The Giants did not win the division, struggling to a 72–90 finish.[63] Rowand himself did not come close to his 2007 numbers with Philadelphia, as hison-base plus slugging percentage dropped from .889 in 2007 to .749. In 152 games (549 at bats), he batted .271 with 57 runs scored, 149 hits, 37 doubles, 13 home runs, and 70 RBI. Defensively, he had the highestrange factor among NL outfielders per game (2.81) and per nine innings (2.95).[2]
After only hitting .214 through May 8, 2009, Rowand batted .340 over his next 50 games to raise his batting average to .302 through July 4. However, he would only hit .208 for the rest of the season.[64] On July 10, with one out in the ninth inning, Rowand made a leaping catch at the center field wall to robEdgar Gonzalez of a hit and preserveJonathan Sánchez's no hitter.[65] He missed a few games after gettinghit by a pitch fromTommy Hanson on July 20, though the resulting contusion was not severe enough to require him to go on the disabled list.[64][66] On July 31, Rowand collected his 1,000th career hit at home against his former team, the Phillies, when he doubled againstCliff Lee in San Francisco's 5–1 loss.[2][64][67] He had four hits and two RBI, including a solo home run againstLivan Hernandez, in the first game of a doubleheader against the Mets on August 17, which the Giants won 10–1.[68] Six times during the year, he had a season-high three RBI.[64] In 144 games (499 at bats), he batted .261 with 61 runs scored, 130 hits, 30 doubles, 15 home runs, and 64 RBI.[2]
Rowand had four hits and two RBI against the Astros on April 7 in a 10–4 victory.[69] On April 16, Rowand was hit in the face by a pitch fromVicente Padilla of the Dodgers. He suffered a mild concussion and was on the disabled list until May 2.[70][71] He had three RBI on May 4, including a two-run home run againstJuan Carlos Oviedo, in a 9–6 victory over the Marlins.[72] In June, he began losing playing time toAndrés Torres in center field; by August, his starts were infrequent.[70][73] He played in 105 games (331 at bats), his fewest appearances since 2003. Batting .230, he had 42 runs scored, 76 hits, 12 doubles, 11 home runs, and 34 RBI.[2]
The Giants won theNL West, and Rowand was part of their roster for the playoffs.[74] He was limited to two pinch-hit appearances in theNLDS, which the Giants won in four games over the Braves.[36][75] After Torres batted .120 in the first six games of the playoffs, Rowand started in center field in Games 3 and 4 of theNLCS against the Phillies, both Giant victories.[36][76] He also replaced Torres in the bottom of the ninth inning in Game 6, which the Giants won 3–2 to clinch a trip to theWorld Series against the Rangers.[77] In Game 2 of the World Series, Rowand hit a two-RBItriple againstMichael Kirkman in the bottom of the eighth inning. He then scored on an RBI double by Torres to extend the Giants lead to 9–0, the final score.[78] He also started Game 5 of the series in center field.[79] The Giants won the series, their first World Series victory since1954, and Rowand earned his second World Series championship.[80]
Rowand began 2011 as a reserve player but was able to get starts in center field and left field from April 10 to May 10 while Torres was on the disabled list with an Achilles injury.[81][82][83] He had a season-high three RBI on April 28 (in a 5–2 victory over the Pirates) and on June 28 (in the first game of a doubleheader, a 13–7 win over the Cubs).[81] Rowand wasdesignated for assignment on August 31, 2011, after batting .233 with four home runs and 21 RBI in 108 games during the 2011 season.[84]Brian Sabean, thegeneral manager of the Giants did not elaborate on Rowand's poor performance with the Giants, saying, "It didn't turn out. Nothing more to be said. He's been given opportunities, and it just didn't turn out."[85] Rowand was released on September 8, 2011.[86]
On December 12, 2011, Rowand signed a minor league deal with theMiami Marlins with an invite to spring training.[87] He was released on March 29, 2012, after batting just .128 in spring training.[88]
Rowand and his ex-wife Marianne have two children: Tatum and McKay.[1] The family had residences inLas Vegas and California.[89][90][91] In 2020, Rowand sold his Las Vegas mansion, purchasing a house overlooking the ocean inSan Clemente, California, for $4.833 million.[92]
Rowand's cousinJames Shields also played MLB baseball.[2]
Since his retirement, Rowand has occasionally filled in as a TV or radio broadcaster for the White Sox.[93] In 2015, Rowand served as a guest instructor for thePhiladelphia Phillies andChicago White Sox in spring training.[38][91] In November 2015, the White Sox hired him as an outfielding and base running instructor for the minor league players. The role required him to work with the prospects sporadically throughout the season, then teach them in a month-long instructional camp after the final game of the year.[93] He managed theArizona Fall League'sGlendale Desert Dogs in 2016.[94] By 2020, he had been replaced as the outfielding and base running instructor byDoug Sisson.[95]
During Season 3 ofAmerican Chopper: Senior vs. Junior in 2012, Paul Junior Designs built "The Aaron Rowand Bike" for the ballplayer. The black and red motorcycle featured a similar color scheme as the "Black Widow," one of Rowand's favorite designs.[96]
