Background and career
Aaron Ryan Rowand (born August 29, 1977) is an American former professional baseball center fielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, and San Francisco Giants, winning two World Series championships. During his playing days, Rowand stood 6 feet (1.8 m) tall and weighed 210 pounds (95 kg). He batted and threw right-handed. Born in Portland, Oregon, Rowand was raised in Glendora, California. He attended California State University, Fullerton, where he was named an All-American in 1998. 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.
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. 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. 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 junior season, Rowand set a Cal State Fullerton record with 27 doubles. 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 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.
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. According to Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com, "By spring 2001, the future National League All-Star looked primed to break through to the big leagues." Rowand began the year with the Triple-A Charlotte Knights of the International League, where through the middle of June he had 16 home runs and 48 RBI in 62 games.
In June 2001, Rowand was called up to the White Sox for the first time. He made his major league debut for them the next day as a pinch hitter against the St. Louis Cardinals. He collected his first major league hit on June 19, 2001, in the first game of a doubleheader. The hit came against Kansas City Royals' pitcher Tony Cogan in Chicago's 5–3 victory. On July 7, he hit his first major league home run against Jason Schmidt in a 4–1 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Although he was initially used sparingly, in the middle of July Rowand began splitting time with Chris Singleton in center field. In 63 games (123 at bats), he batted .293 with 21 runs scored, 36 hits, five doubles, four home runs, and 20 RBI.
Rowand was part of the Opening Day roster for the White Sox in 2002, but he spent much of the season as a reserve outfielder. Following the trade of Kenny Lofton to the San Francisco Giants on July 28, Rowand became the everyday center fielder for much of the rest of the year. Only batting .204 through July 28, Rowand batted .291 for the remainder of the season. On August 13, he four hits and scored three runs in a 12–3 victory over the Texas Rangers. He had four RBI on September 11, including a two-run home run against Darrell May, in a 9–6 loss to Kansas City. In 126 games (302 at bats), he batted .258 with 41 runs scored, 78 hits, 16 doubles, seven home runs, and 29 RBI.
Sources
Net-worth figure: Celebrity Net Worth (October 2026), in USD. Biography and career facts: the person's Wikipedia article and linked reporting. Snapshot date for all StarWorth figures: 28 October 2026.
