Aaron Rowand

At 46 years old, Aaron Rowand has this physical status:

Aaron Ryan Rowand (born August 29, 1977) is an American former professional baseball center fielder in Major League Baseball.

He played for the Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies and the San Francisco Giants.

Personal life

Rowand and his wife, Marianne, have two children: Tatum and McKay. The family used to have residences in Las Vegas, Nevada, and California. In 2020, Rowand sold his Las Vegas mansion, purchasing a house overlooking the ocean in San Clemente, California, for $4.833 million. His cousin, James Shields, also played MLB baseball.

Since his retirement, Rowand has occasionally filled in as a TV or radio broadcaster for the White Sox. In 2015, Rowand served as a guest instructor for the Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago White Sox in spring training. In November 2015, the White Sox hired him as a 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. He managed the Arizona Fall League's Glendale Desert Dogs in 2016. By 2020, he had been replaced as the outfielding and base running instructor by Doug Sisson.

During Season 3 of American 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.

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Early life and college career

Aaron Ryan Rowand was born in Portland, Oregon, on August 29, 1977, but he grew up in Glendora, California. Bob, his father, was employed in the air conditioning industry. Rowand played slow-pitch softball in an adult league with his dad when he was around ten years old. He attended Glendora High School in California and graduated in 1995. Rowand was the only Glendora player to have his number retired until Adam Plutko in 2020. Rowand, a high school teacher, hit.650 during his time at Glendora. He was not drafted by the New York Mets in the 40th round of the 1995 Major League Baseball (MLB) draft, opting not to join them and going to college instead.

Rowand played for their baseball team (the Titans) from 1996 to 1998. Shortstop was his first job, but assistant coach Rick Vanderhook learned he was a better outfielder and assisted him in moving forward. Rowand set a Cal State Fullerton record of 27 doubles during his senior season. Vanderhook recalled, "He ran into walls everywhere we played." Rowand was given All-America recognition in 1998 after the Titans defeated the Big West South Division crown. He batted.345 runs, 180 runs, 39 doubles, six triples, 23 home runs, and 121 runs batted in during his three years with the college team (RBI). He stole 32 bases. Rowand will return to Cal State Fullerton for its annual Alumni Game after graduating. Unlike some of the graduates, he'll play all nine innings, taking the exhibition competition seriously. He played collegiate summer baseball with the Brewster Whitecaps of the Cape Cod Baseball League, where he was named a league all-star both seasons.

Minor League career

In 1998, Rowand was chosen by the Chicago White Sox in the first round (35th pick) of the draft. He began his professional career with the South Atlantic League's Single-A Hickory Crawdads. He batted.342, hitting five home runs and scoring 32 RBI in 61 games for the club. He spent his first full season with the Single-Ablem Warthogs of the Carolina League in 132 games, batting.279 in 133 games. He led the team in doubles (37), home runs (24), and RBI (88).

Rowand was a member of the Double-A Birmingham Barons of the Southern League in 2000. While playing in 139 games, he had 20 home runs and 98 RBI. "The future National League All-Star looked poised to break into the major leagues in spring 2001," MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli says. Rowand began the year with the Triple-A Charlotte Knights of the International League, where he had 16 home runs and 48 RBI in 62 games as a middle of June.

Major League career

Rowand was called up to the White Sox for the first time in June 2001. Against the St. Louis Cardinals, he made his major league debut for them the next day as a pinch hitter. In the first game of a doubleheader, he hit for the first time in major leagues on June 19, 2001. In Chicago's 5-3 victory, Tony Cogan was hit by Kansas City Royals pitcher Tony Cogan. In a 4–1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on July 7, he won his first major league home run against Jason Schmidt. Despite being initially used sparingly in the middle of July Rowand's July Rowand split time with Chris Singleton in center field. He batted.293, 36 runs, five doubles, four home runs, and 20 RBI in 63 games (123 at bats).

Rowand was on the White Sox's Opening Day roster in 2002, but he spent much of the season as a reserve outfielder. Rowand was the everyday center fielder for a good portion of the year following Kenny Lofton's trade to the San Francisco Giants on July 28, bringing him closer to the San Francisco Giants. Rowand's batting average was.204 through July 28, and the remainder of the season was.291. In a 12–3 victory over the Texas Rangers on August 13, he four hits and three runs, scoring three runs. In a 9–6 loss to Kansas City, he had four RBI, including a two-run home run against Darrell May. He batted.258 runs, 78 hits, seven home runs, and 29 RBI in 126 games (302 at bats).

Rowand sustained a broken left shoulder blade and rib in a dirt bike crash in the 2002-03 offseason and spent a part of 2003 spring training. He was ready for Opening Day and began as the regular center fielder in 2003. Rowand was sent to Charlotte in early May after hitting.133 in his first 28 games. He batted.242 with three home runs and 13 RBI in 32 games with the Knights before being asked to rejoin the White Sox around June 10. Despite being mainly a backup outfielder for the remainder of the year, he hit.381 for the remainder of the season. He batted.287, 45 runs, eight doubles, six home runs, and 24 RBI in 93 games (170 at bats).

Rowand stayed in centerfield for the entire season in 2004. As the White Sox defeated the Minnesota Twins by a score of 17–7 on May 23, he scored four runs, collected four hits, and took three runs against Terry Mulholland. In a 12–6 victory over the Rangers on July 19, he had four hits and three runs. As the White Sox defeated 8–7, he faced the Boston Red Sox in a game for the first time, both coming against Tim Wakefield. In a 9–2 win over the Detroit Tigers, five days later, he had another two-home run game against Jeremy Bonderman, his first grand slam against Jeremy Bonderman. "I owe him something a little bigger than dinner," José Contreras, the starting pitcher for the White Sox in both of Rowand's two-home run games, said. Rowand batted.310 runs, 38 doubles, 24 home runs, and 69 RBI in 140 games (487 at bats). With 17 stolen bases, he set a record for a career. His 5.7 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) ranking was seventh in the American League (AL) and fourth among AL position players (trailing only Ichiro Suzuki's 9.2, Alex Rodriguez's 7.6, and Miguel Tejada's 7.4).

Rowand made two run-saving plays on June 10, 2005, with the White Sox leading the San Diego Padres by two runs in the seventh inning. In a close play at third base, he threw out Phil Nevin for the first time. He made a diving catch to rob Khalil Greene of a hit and put an end to the season, with runners on second and third place and two out. The White Sox beat the White Sox 4–2. Rowand hit Trevor Hoffman in the eighth inning as a pinch hitter in the eighth innings, assisting the White Sox in beating the Padres 8–5. In a 7-5 victory over the Cleveland Indians on July 16, Rowand had three hits and three runs, while the Cleveland Indians had three runs and three runs. In a 6–4 victory over the Kansas City Royals on September 13, he had four hits and a career-high three doubles. "Rowand had a good night," White Sox boss Ozzie Guillén said. From now on, you will have to step up and be a hero every game. It was Rowand today. He had a.270 batting average with 77 runs and 30 doubles in 2005. Rowand also stole 16 bases and hit 13 home runs. He walked 32 times and took out 116. He had a.329 on-base percentage (OBP) and a.407 slugging percentage (SLG). He also collected 235 bases. For a.978 fielding percentage, defensively, he had 388 putouts and committed only three mistakes. His defensive WAR of 1.9 was the seventh-best in the AL.

The White Sox captured the AL Central title for the first time in Rowand's career. Despite the White Sox being up by 14 runs in the first game of the AL Division Series (ALDS), he slammed into the wall chasing after a ball. In the ALDS, which Chicago swept in three games, he batted.400 with two RBI. As the White Sox defeated the Los Angeles Angels in five games, he batted.167 with three hits (both doubles), three runs scored, and one RBI. He batted.294 against the Houston Astros in the World Series. Despite having no RBI, the White Sox swept the Astros, winning their first World Series title since 1917. He had two runs and five hits.

Rowand became a fan of the fans during his time in Chicago due to his style of play. Since balls were hit to center field, he'd be able to crash into the outfield wall if it was important to make a catch. "Average White Sox fans have always reserved a special place for Aaron because of his all-out style of play and passion for the game," wrote Game Director Nick Capra in 2015.

Rowand was traded by the Philadelphia Phillies for first baseman Jim Thome after the 2005 season. Chicago wanted Thome for his ability at home runs, and Philadelphia needed a new center fielder because it was not planning to re-sign Lofton.

The Philadelphia Phillies went from a one-run deficit to a 7-five lead in the seventh inning against Matt Herges of the Florida Marlins on May 2, 2006, which they would hold for the remainder of the game. Rowand's bases-loaded triple in the seventh inning. Rowand made a spectacular move by smashing into the center field fence of Citizens Bank Park in order to run a deep fly ball off the bat of Xavier Nady with the bases loaded on May 11. Three runs would have scored if the ball had been hit by a strike. "It could be the best catch I've ever seen," Rowand's "effort and determination" said. It was named as the 12th-best catch in baseball history by Robert Knapel in 2012, and MLB.com's Thomas Harrigan named it as one of the best ever catch. The game was reduced to five innings due to rain, and the Phillies defeated 2–0. As a result of running into the wall, Rowand sustained a fractured nose and severe lacerations to his face. He required seven hours of surgery to fix the nose and was placed on the 15-day disabled list. On May 27, he returned to the starting lineup.

Rowand went.301 through June 5 for the remainder of the season, while Rowand hit.236 for the remainder. In a 12–10 victory over the Washington Nationals on August 20, he had four hits and three runs. Rowand collided with Philadelphia second baseman Chase Utley and broke his ankle against the Chicago Cubs the next day. For the remainder of the regular season, he was on the disabled list. Rowand batted.262 runs, 24 doubles, 12 home runs, and 47 RBI in 109 games (445 at bats). He stole ten bases, the first time he would steal more than six bases in his career.

Rowand made the year his best offensively since the 2007 season. Rowand scored a pinch-hit RBI ground out in the sixth inning and then ran a grand slam against Matt Thornton in the seventh inning, assisting the Phillies in beating 8–4. Rowand was selected to the All-Star Game for the first time in his career. He came to bat in the bottom of the ninth with the bases loaded, two outs, and the National League (NL) trailing 5-4. Rowand did not go out to Alex R.os in the right field to end the game, but not before. Pat Burrell and Rudy Seánez won Philadelphia's 15–3 victory on July 17, hitting three runs and returning to back home runs against Rudy Seánez on July 17. Rowand also won on April 27, July 14, and September 22, both Philadelphia victories. Rowand scored two home runs against the St. Louis Cardinals on September 17, with the Phillies a slew of playoff contention late in the season. In the eighth inning, then collapsed to the ground on the warning track after robbed Ryan Ludwick of a hit that would have put the Cardinals up to the batting field. Philadelphia defeated 13-11 in the 2013 Philadelphia Super Bowl. 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. He received his first Gold Glove Award for his outfield play this year, leading the NL with 11 outfield assists. Rowand led NL outfielders with a.995 fielding percentage despite making only two errors on the season. He came in 22nd in the NL Most Valuable Player Award voting.

In 2007, the Phillies defeated the Colorado Rockies in the NLDS. Rowand and Burrell began with back-to-back home runs against Jeff Francis in Game 1, which Philadelphia would lose 4–2. That was his only hit of the season, which Philadelphia lost in three games.

On December 12, 2007, Rowand signed his first offseason free agent deal with the San Francisco Giants, becoming the team's first offseason free agent signing. Rowand said in January that the Giants could win the NL West "if guys have some good years." In back-to-back games against the Marlins on May 23 and 25, he had three RBIs apiece, with the first winning 8–2 and the second losing 8–6 in the first game of a doubleheader. He scored his 100th home run against Mark Hendrickson in the latter game. Rowand had one other three-RBI game, winning 3–2 over the Atlanta Braves on August 6, which was the team's sixth game in a 3–2 victory over the Atlanta Braves on August 6. In his first 54 games (through June 2), he batted.342 in his first 54 games (through June 2), but his average was only.233 from June 3 to the rest of the season. In a 5–4 victory over the Dodgers on August 13, he had a season-high four hits and scored a run. The Giants did not win the division, losing to a 72-90 finish. Rowand himself did not come close to his 2007 numbers with Philadelphia, as his on-base plus slugging percentage dropped from.889 to.749. He batted.271 with 57 runs scored, 37 doubles, 13 home runs, and 70 RBI in 152 games (549 at bats). He had the highest range factor among NL outfielders per game (2.21) and per nine innings (2.95).

Rowand batted.340 in his first 50 games, up from.214 on May 8, 2009, bringing his batting average to.302 through July 4. However, for the remainder of the season, he would only reach.208. Rowand made a leaping catch at the center field wall to rob Edgar Gonzalez of a hit and save Jonathan Sánchez's no hitter on July 10, with one out in the ninth inning. He missed a few games after being struck by a pitch from Tommy Hanson on July 20, but the resulting contusion was not severe enough to warrant him to be on the disabled list. Rowand's 1,000th career appearance against his old team, the Philadelphia Phillies, was lost in San Francisco's 5–1 loss on July 31, when he doubled against Cliff Lee. In the first game of a doubleheader against the Mets on August 17, he had four hits and two RBI, including a solo home run against Livan Hernandez. He had a season-high three RBI six times throughout the year. He batted.261 runs, 130 runs, 30 doubles, 15 home runs, and 64 RBI in 144 games (499 at bats).

In a 10–4 victory over the Astros on April 7, Rowand had four hits and two RBI against the Astros. Rowand was struck in the chest by Vicente Padilla of the Dodgers on April 16, a Dodgers pitcher. He had a mild concussion and was on the disabled list before May 2. In a 9–6 victory over the Marlins, he had three RBI, including a two-run home run against Juan Carlos Oviedo on May 4. He began losing playing time to Andrés Torres in center field in June; by August, he was infrequent. He appeared in 105 games (331 at bats), his fewest appearances since 2003. Batting.230, he had 42 runs, 76 hits, 12 doubles, 11 home runs, and 34 RBI.

Rowand was part of the Giants' roster for the playoffs, and the Giants won the NL West. In the NLDS, he was limited to two pinch-hit appearances, which the Giants won in four games over the Braves. Rowand started in center field in Games 3 and 4 of the NLCS against the Phillies, both Giant victories after Torres batted.120 in the first six games of the playoffs. In Game 6, which the Giants won 3–2 to clinch a trip to the World Series against the Rangers, Torres was also replaced in Torres in the bottom of the ninth inning. Rowand had a two-RBI triple against Michael Kirkman in Game 2 of the World Series in the eighth innings. Torres' Aaron Torres had scored on an RBI double to tie the Giants' lead to 9-0 in the final score. In center field, he started Game 5 of the season. The Giants won the series for their first World Series victory since 1954, and Rowand earned his second World Series title.

Rowand started as a reserve player in 2011, but from April 10 to May 10, Torres was able to get to work in center field and left field, but Torres was on the disabled list due to an Achilles injury. On April 28 (in a 5–2 victory over the Pirates) and June 28 (in the first game of a doubleheader, a 13–7 victory over the Cubs) he had a season-high three RBI on April 28 (in a 5–2 victory over the Pirates). Rowand was announced for assignment on August 31, 2011, after batting.233 with four home runs and 21 RBI in 108 games during the 2011 season. Brian Sabean, the Giants' general manager, "It didn't turn out." "Nothing more to be said." He's been given chances, but it didn't turn out." Rowand was first released on September 8, 2011.

Rowand signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins on December 12, 2011 with an invitation to spring practice. After batting just.128 in spring preparation, he was released on March 29, 2012.

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