Aaron Rowand

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 and won two World Series championships.

During his playing days, Rowand stood 6 ft tall and weighed 210 lb. He batted and threw right-handed.

Born in Portland, Oregon, Rowand was raised in Glendora, California.

Aaron Ryan Rowand was born on August 29, 1977, in Portland, Oregon, and grew up in Glendora, California.

His father, Bob, was employed in the air conditioning business.

When Rowand was about 10 years old, he frequently played slow-pitch softball in an adult league with his dad.

He graduated from Glendora High School in 1995.

He was drafted by the New York Mets in the 40th round of the 1995 Major League Baseball (MLB) draft, but chose to go to college instead of signing with the team.

Rowand attended California State University, Fullerton, playing for their baseball team (the Titans) from 1996 through 1998.

During his senior season, Rowand set a Cal State Fullerton record with 27 doubles.

In 1996 and 1997, 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.

He attended California State University, Fullerton, where he was named an All-American in 1998.

Rowand earned All-America honors in 1998 as the Titans won the Big West South Division title.

Over his three years with the college team, he batted .345 with 126 runs scored, 180 hits, 39 doubles, six triples, 23 home runs, and 121 runs batted in (RBI).

He stole 32 bases.

After graduating, Rowand would return to Cal State Fullerton for its annual Alumni Game.

In 1998, Rowand was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the first round (35th pick) of the draft.

He started his professional career that season with the Single-A Hickory Crawdads of the South 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 the Single-A advanced Winston-Salem Warthogs of the Carolina League, batting .279 in 133 games.

He led the team in doubles (37), home runs (24), and RBI (88).

In 2000, Rowand played for the Double-A Birmingham Barons of the Southern League.

He hit 20 home runs and recorded 98 RBI while playing in 139 games.

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 24 home runs in 2004, batting .310.

In 2005, he was part of the White Sox team that defeated the Houston Astros in the World Series for their first championship since 1917.

After the season, he was traded to the Phillies as part of a trade that sent Jim 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 rob Xavier Nady of a hit.

He had his best season in 2007, playing in his only All-Star Game, hitting a career-high 27 home runs, winning a Gold Glove Award, and finishing 22nd in Most Valuable Player Award voting.

A free agent after that season, he signed a five-year, $60 million contract with the Giants.

Though he led NL outfielders in range 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 to Andrés Torres.

However, Rowand became a World Series champion for the second time when the Giants defeated the Texas Rangers in 2010.

In August 2011, he was designated for assignment and released.

Following his playing career, he served as a backup broadcaster and minor league coach in the White Sox organization.

Rowand was the only Glendora player to have his number retired until Adam Plutko in 2020.

According to his high school coach, Rowand hit over .650 during his time at Glendora.