Rowand Rejoins Sox…
Recently, the Chicago White Sox announced that Aaron Rowand would rejoin the organization as a minor league instructor. Rowand, who was the center fielder on Chicago’s 2005 World Series Championship winning team, will work as the organization’s minor league outfield and baserunning instructor. He replaces Doug Sisson.
Rowand was originally drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 1998 draft out of Cal-State Fullerton (sandwich pick between the 1st & 2nd round). He played 11 seasons in the bigs, including five with the White Sox. Rowand also spent time with the San Francisco Giants and Philadelphia Phillies.
In 1,358 career major league games, Rowand compiled a career batting average of .273 with 1,193 hits, 136 home runs, and 536 RBIs. He was a National League All-Star in 2007 while playing for the Phillies.
A native of Portland, OR, Rowand was a solid defensive outfielder and earned a Rawlings Gold Glove Award for his efforts in 2007. He led the National League in assists and fielding percentage that season while roaming the outfield in the City of Brotherly Love.
I’ll always remember watching Rowand crashing into the wall at Citizens Bank Park in 2006 against the New York Mets. I was watching that game live. That was one of the finest catches you will ever see!
Rowand is also a former Charlotte Knights center fielder, who hit .295 with 16 home runs and 48 RBIs in 82 games with the club in 2001. He also appeared in 32 games with the Knights in 2003.
Over the course of his career, he won two World Series Championships (2005 with Chicago and 2010 with San Francisco).
Here’s what Rowand had to say about his new position (excerpt from the Chicago White Sox press release):
“This is a great opportunity for me to give back to the organization, which gave me my professional start,” said Rowand. “As everyone knows, I have a deep passion and loyalty to the White Sox, so I’m excited to help the organization anyway I can. I feel like I have a lot to offer the players coming up through the system, and I can’t wait to get started in spring training.”
