Wise Master Buehrle Posted December 10, 2003 Share Posted December 10, 2003 http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb...t=.jsp&c_id=cha It doesn't really matter whether Aaron Rowand hits .390 or .190 during his current time with the Santurce Crabbers in Puerto Rico. For the 25-year-old center fielder, this rare Winter League appearance is all about gathering extra at-bats and on-field time to stay sharp for Spring Training. It's a luxury Rowand couldn't afford last year, losing his entire off-season and almost his life to a serious dirt bike accident outside of Las Vegas on Nov. 1. "The hard part was no baseball activity all off-season," said Rowand during a late-season interview regarding his accident. "A lot of older guys don't hit, don't pick up a bat until one week or two before Spring Training, and go out and rake. I'm not one of those guys. "I hit all off-season, two or three times per week. Not being able to do that for me, not being able to stay in that comfort area where I have my swing down, I lost my rhythm. Not being able to hit for four months was like starting over." Rowand spent a large portion of time prior to the 2003 season recovering from an accident that left him with a broken left shoulder blade, broken rib on both sides and a bruised left shoulder. Instead of simply doing his normal workout routine and then focusing on baseball, Rowand spent five hours per workout, five days per week trying to rehabilitate from his array of serious injuries. There was extensive work dedicated to range of motion activities, trying to stretch out his shoulder. But the lack of baseball work cost Rowand at the plate when April rolled around. After hitting .268 during 17 games in Spring Training, Rowand struggled mightily at the start of the 2003 regular season. He hit .133 (8-for-60) in 60 games before being optioned to Triple-A Charlotte on May 1. Rowand stood in front of his locker after a game against Oakland, answering all questions about his reassignment and doing anything but hiding from the truth. The team was in a terrible offensive funk as a group. Rowand knew they couldn't hide a player failing to make contact. "I wasted 60 at-bats early on in the season that I wish I could take back and start over," Rowand said. "It took a while to get back in the groove. I was not near game ready as far as baseball when I got to Spring Training." Rowand hit .242 in 32 games with Charlotte but cre dits current White Sox hitting coach Greg Walker and Greg Ritchie, who replaced Walker with the Knights upon Walker's promotion, for rebuilding his swing and getting him back on track. The young outfielder returned to the White Sox on June 10 and hit .387 (37-for-97) with a .629 slugging percentage and .408 on-base percentage the rest of the season, finishing at .287 with six home runs and 24 RBIs. His biggest hit came June 28 against the Cubs. Rowand's two-run homer against reliever Antonio Alfonseca in the eighth inning dramatically tied the game and gave the White Sox a chance to win it in the ninth. Rowand said after the game the only other hit to rival such importance was his first career home run off against Jason Schmidt. This up-and-down offensive pattern has followed Rowand, a .273 career hitter with 17 home runs in 582 at-bats, in Puerto Rico. He started off in a 2-for-20 slump but has been ripping the ball since for Santurce, currently hitting .247 with six home runs and 17 RBIs. With Carl Everett not being offered arbitration by the White Sox and possibly headed home to Tampa Bay, the center field job appears to be Rowand's to lose for the 2004 season. But Rowand has heard that tune before. He figured to start entering 2002, only to have the White Sox acquire Kenny Lofton before the start of the season. Shortly after Rowand returned early last June, general manager Kenny Williams picked up Everett for the playoff push. But Rowand will be prepared in 2004 -- physically, mentally and baseball-wise thanks to his extra time in Puerto Rico. There's also no chance of repeat problems with the dirt bike, as those days are behind Rowand for now. "I was less than a quarter of an inch from death," said Rowand of his accident. "I came close to nicking my aorta with the broken rib, and if I did that, I would have bled to death in the middle of the desert. "There's going to be no more riding until I'm done playing baseball. I have a wife and kid to think about. I've been riding my entire life, but it's a reality check as to what is really important. "As much as I've loved doing it my entire life, baseball is more important," Rowand added. "I love playing this game. I love being around all of my teammates. I love being a part of something." Let me quote something which I think is very important in this article... The young outfielder returned to the White Sox on June 10 and hit .387 (37-for-97) with a .629 slugging percentage and .408 on-base percentage the rest of the season, finishing at .287 with six home runs and 24 RBIs. I want him in Center Field, we do NOT need anyone else. I believe in the Arrow. Not to mention he's a stud in CF. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wise Master Buehrle Posted December 10, 2003 Author Share Posted December 10, 2003 Yep, I AM losing it... wrong forum guys, if someone would kindly move this, it;d be appreciated. Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted December 10, 2003 Share Posted December 10, 2003 Fixed for ya Yahtzee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted December 10, 2003 Share Posted December 10, 2003 Dammit I'm starting to have positive thought. It's these players who put a team over the top. Guys who haven't contributed that have excellent break out years. I'm hoping Crede will also . . . I must block those positives thoughts out. We are a 5th place team. I can't get my hopes up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wise Master Buehrle Posted December 10, 2003 Author Share Posted December 10, 2003 Thanks Jas. In addition to my post, I believe we shouldn't jump the gun on Jeremy Reed. I think a year of AAA would be good for him, unless he blows our minds in Spring Training, of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moochpuppy Posted December 10, 2003 Share Posted December 10, 2003 during his current time with the Santurce Crabbers in Puerto Rico. All I know is that I wouldn't want to be known for playing on team with the nickname "Crabbers". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Honda Civic Posted December 10, 2003 Share Posted December 10, 2003 Thanks Jas. In addition to my post, I believe we shouldn't jump the gun on Jeremy Reed. I think a year of AAA would be good for him, unless he blows our minds in Spring Training, of course. I think that reed is our 4th best outfield option right now... That being said, I don't wan't him on the 25 man roster, not unless he's playing everyday... Let him get some more seasoning at AAA.... Rowand I think is going to break out... He was gapping doubles last year, in the second half, like i have never seen him before... and he almost finished with a higher Avg. than Carlos. If given the the opportunity to play CF, I think AR will put up some decent numbers.. .278 18HR 74RBI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Critic Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 My favorite lines from that article: "There's going to be no more riding until I'm done playing baseball. I have a wife and kid to think about. I've been riding my entire life, but it's a reality check as to what is really important." What's he saying? After he's done playing baseball, he WON"T have a wife and kid to think about????? I think Rowand can be decent, and he'll HAVE to hit early next year, or else he's out of chances, I would think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Honda Civic Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 My favorite lines from that article: "There's going to be no more riding until I'm done playing baseball. I have a wife and kid to think about. I've been riding my entire life, but it's a reality check as to what is really important." What's he saying? After he's done playing baseball, he WON"T have a wife and kid to think about????? I think Rowand can be decent, and he'll HAVE to hit early next year, or else he's out of chances, I would think. I think he was refering to the fact that riding, and it's unjury-inducing-DL-trips, could take food out of the mouths of his family.... He views it not as a threat on his life, but a threat on his livelyhood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBAHO Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 Dammit I'm starting to have positive thought. It's these players who put a team over the top. Guys who haven't contributed that have excellent break out years. I'm hoping Crede will also . . . I must block those positives thoughts out. We are a 5th place team. I can't get my hopes up. The key for Crede will be to hav a good start in the first half of the year. We all know he's gonna come home strong in the second shown by his last 2 years with the White Sox. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Critic Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 AWWWWWWWW come ON Cheeeeeeeeeeeat, I KNEW THAT!!!! I just wanted to point out how silly that quote sounded!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperSteve Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 My favorite lines from that article: "There's going to be no more riding until I'm done playing baseball. I have a wife and kid to think about. I've been riding my entire life, but it's a reality check as to what is really important." What's he saying? After he's done playing baseball, he WON"T have a wife and kid to think about????? I think Rowand can be decent, and he'll HAVE to hit early next year, or else he's out of chances, I would think. LMFAO!!! HOLY COW!!! Oh, so funny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Critic Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 Dammit I'm starting to have positive thought. It's these players who put a team over the top. Guys who haven't contributed that have excellent break out years. I'm hoping Crede will also . . . I must block those positives thoughts out. We are a 5th place team. I can't get my hopes up. Don't fight the positive thought, Tex! This team is NOT a disaster. Can they use some reinforcements? Sure. Are there holes? Yes. Can the holes be filled? I think so, at least partially, if KW can pull a couple good deals off. Can they compete in the AL Central? With a couple smart moves, absolutely. Their lineup still boasts very good 2,3,4 and 5 hitters as things stand right now. Crede is solid, and Olivo will progress. E6 can thrive if he ever decides to forget about batting right handed EVER again. The Sox have two reliable starters and a third who is also progressing. Marte has the stuff to be a top closer, and IF Cooper can repair Koch's broken mechanics ( if Koch's problem is really what Cooper thinks it is ), then they still have a good left-right punch late in games. Try not to focus on what the Sox don't have, and you'll see that they still have a solid base that CAN bring success. A World Series? Probably not. A good season with a CHANCE for postseason play? I think so. Maybe I'll think differently if the holes are not filled in February, but for now I will let the optimism carry me for a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hex Rudler Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 Aaron will be solid in 2004, IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshPR Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 Aaron will be solid in 2004, IMHO. And you are Mocking who in your user name??? Get another Name Dickhead :fyou :fyou :finger :finger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 The young outfielder returned to the White Sox on June 10 and hit .387 (37-for-97) with a .629 slugging percentage and .408 on-base percentage the rest of the season, finishing at .287 with six home runs and 24 RBIs. This can't be our Aaron Rowand. Our Aaron Rowand blows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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