50 FAVORITE WHITE SOX PLAYERS

[knightni]

13. Aaron Rowand

 

 

(17 of 27 lists - 208 points - highest ranking #6 BurlyMan56)

 

 

bio by wikipedia and knightni -

 

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

 

Rowand made his major league debut for the Chicago White Sox on June 16, 2001 as a pinch hitter against the St. Louis Cardinals. He finished his rookie season fourth among American League rookies in batting average at .293. He collected his first major league hit on June 19, 2001 against Kansas City Royals' pitcher Tony Cogan.

 

Rowand suffered a broken left shoulder blade and rib in a dirt bike accident in the 2002 off season and spent part of spring training recovering. In 2003, Rowand was sent down to the minor leagues after hitting .133 in his first 60 games, but after spending 32 games in the minors, he returned to hit the Major Leagues, hitting .387 after his return.

 

In 2004, Aaron led the American League in home runs for a center fielder with 24. 2004 was his first season with close to 500 at bats and Rowand established himself as a regular starter for the first time in his career. Rowand showed patience at the plate and posted his second highest career on base percentage at .361.

 

In 2005 with the White Sox, he had a .270 batting average with 77 runs and 30 doubles. He also hit 13 home runs and stole 16 bases. He has a low amount of patience, as walked 32 times compared to 116 strikeouts. He had only a .329 on base percentage (OBP) and a .407 slugging percentage (SLG). He also collected 235 total bases. In 2005 at center field, he collected 388 putouts and had only three errors. He had a .978 fielding percentage.

 

The 2005 Chicago White Sox went on to win the World Series. Aaron was noted by manager Ozzie Guillén as a clubhouse leader and an example of the hustle play expected from the team. Aaron captured the hearts of White Sox fans with his all-out play and total commitment to the winning. In the postseason, he had a .267 batting average with 8 runs and 6 doubles. He also walked 4 times and had 1 stolen base.

 

On November 23, 2005, Rowand was traded by the White Sox along with minor league pitchers Gio Gonzalez and Daniel Haigwood to the Philadelphia Phillies for first baseman Jim Thome and approximately $22 million. White Sox fans still discuss whether or not this was a good trade, as Rowand, a hard-nosed team-first player, was immensely popular in Chicago. This is evident as he clearly received the loudest, longest ovation at the World Series ring ceremony, despite the fact that he was no longer with the team.

 

. . .

 

Balls To The Wall - 110% - Clutch - A Real "Go-Getter"

 

Complaints to Sox management were heard all through 2006 after Rowand was dealt to Philadelphia for Jim Thome and the Sox finished in second place.

 

He was a true Grinder. The Legend will live forever.

[whitesoxbrian]

God Bless Aaron. Never left anything in the tank on the field. Like the little article says- balls to the wall, 100% of the time.

 

Thanks for 2005, A-Row.

[greg775]

He was great.

[Felix]

I'm shocked he wasn't high, to be honest.

 

Rowand is and was a fantastic player. I always loved watching him play.

[shipps]

In my mind I see Rowand as more of a character rather than what he actually did on the field.

 

He is a player that stories will grow into something greater than what the truth really is and we will have fun with his legend.

[greg775]

Rowand is one of those players that never should have been traded. I love Thome but was there ANY OTHER WAY we could have acquired him? Rowand was the wrong guy to trade off the title team.