Editing Aaron Rowand (section)

===Chicago White Sox (2001–2005)===
====2001====
[[File:Aaron Rowand Profile.jpg|thumb|left|100px|Aaron Rowand in center field on October 5, 2005]]
In June 2001, Rowand was called up to the White Sox for the first time.<ref name="mlb">{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/player/aaron-rowand-400023 |title=Aaron Rowand Stats, Fantasy, and News |work=MLB.com |access-date=February 20, 2021}}</ref> He made his major league debut for them the next day as a [[pinch hitter]] against the [[St. Louis Cardinals]].<ref name="path to the pros"/><ref name="chwstlboxscore">{{cite web |work=Baseball-Reference |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SLN/SLN200106160.shtml |title=June 16, 2001 Chicago White Sox at St. Louis Cardinals Box Score and Play by Play |access-date=August 3, 2009}}</ref> He collected his first major league hit on June 19, 2001, in the first game of a [[Doubleheader (baseball)|doubleheader]]. The hit came against [[Kansas City Royals]]' pitcher [[Tony Cogan]] in Chicago's 5–3 victory.<ref name="2001 Rowand">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=rowanaa01&t=b&year=2001|title=Aaron Rowand 2001 Batting Gamelogs|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=February 21, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHA/CHA200106190.shtml|title=Kansas City Royals at Chicago White Sox Box Score, June 19, 2001|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=February 21, 2021}}</ref> On July 7, he hit his first major league home run against [[Jason Schmidt]] in a 4–1 win over the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]].<ref name="2001 Rowand"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHA/CHA200107070.shtml|title=Pittsburgh Pirates at Chicago White Sox Box Score, July 7, 2001|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=February 22, 2021}}</ref> Although he was initially used sparingly, in the middle of July Rowand began splitting time with [[Chris Singleton (baseball)|Chris Singleton]] in center field.<ref name="2001 Rowand"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=singlch01&t=b&year=2001|title=Chris Singleton 2001 Batting Gamelogs|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=February 21, 2021}}</ref> In 63 games (123 [[at bat]]s), he batted .293 with 21 runs scored, 36 hits, five doubles, four home runs, and 20 RBI.<ref name="brstats"/>

====2002====
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.<ref name="2002 Rowand">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=rowanaa01&t=b&year=2002|title=Aaron Rowand 2002 Batting Gamelogs|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=February 22, 2021}}</ref> 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.<ref name="2002 Rowand"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/loftoke01.shtml|title=Kenny Lofton Stats|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=February 22, 2021}}</ref> Only batting .204 through July 28, Rowand batted .291 for the remainder of the season.<ref name="2002 Rowand"/> On August 13, he four hits and scored three runs in a 12–3 victory over the [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/TEX/TEX200208130.shtml|title=Chicago White Sox at Texas Rangers Box Score, August 13, 2002|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=February 23, 2021}}</ref> He had four RBI on September 11, including a two-run home run against [[Darrell May]], in a 9–6 loss to Kansas City.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/KCA/KCA200209110.shtml|title=Chicago White Sox at Kansas City Royals Box Score, September 11, 2002|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=February 23, 2021}}</ref> In 126 games (302 at bats), he batted .258 with 41 runs scored, 78 hits, 16 doubles, seven home runs, and 29 RBI.<ref name="brstats" />

====2003====
Rowand suffered a broken left shoulder blade and rib in a [[dirt bike]] accident in the 2002–03 offseason and spent part of 2003 [[spring training]] recovering.<ref name="bike">{{cite web |first=Scot |last=Gregor |url=http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-2220537/Sox-Rowand-suffers-several-injuries.html |title=Sox's Rowand suffers several injuries in dirt bike accident |date=November 13, 2002 |work=[[Arlington Heights Daily Herald]] |access-date=August 3, 2009}}</ref> He was ready in time for Opening Day and began 2003 as the regular center fielder.<ref name="2003 Rowand">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=rowanaa01&t=b&year=2003|title=Aaron Rowand 2003 Batting Gamelogs|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=February 23, 2021}}</ref> After hitting .133 in his first 28 games, Rowand was sent to Charlotte in early May. In 32 games with the Knights, he batted .242 with three home runs and 13 RBI before getting recalled to rejoin the White Sox around June 10.<ref name="2003 Rowand"/><ref name="brminorstats">{{Cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=rowand001aar |title=Aaron Rowand Minor League Statistics & History |website=Baseball-Reference |access-date=August 3, 2009}}</ref> Though mostly a backup outfielder for the rest of the year, he hit .381 for the rest of the season.<ref name="2003 Rowand"/> In 93 games (170 at bats), he batted .287 with 22 runs scored, 45 hits, eight doubles, six home runs, and 24 RBI.<ref name="brstats" />

====2004====
In 2004, Rowand held the centerfield job for the entire season.<ref name="2004 Rowand">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=rowanaa01&t=b&year=2004|title=Aaron Rowand 2004 Batting Gamelogs|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=February 23, 2021}}</ref> On May 23, he scored four runs, recorded four hits, and hit a three-run home run against [[Terry Mulholland]] as the White Sox beat the [[Minnesota Twins]] by a score of 17–7.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIN/MIN200405230.shtml|title=Chicago White Sox at Minnesota Twins Box Score, May 23, 2004|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=February 25, 2021}}</ref> He had four hits and scored three runs on July 19 in a 12–6 win over the Rangers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/TEX/TEX200407190.shtml|title=Chicago White Sox at Texas Rangers Box Score, July 19, 2004|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=February 25, 2021}}</ref> Facing the [[Boston Red Sox]] on August 13, he hit two home runs in a game for the first time, both coming against [[Tim Wakefield]], as the White Sox won 8–7.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=240813102|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404153052/https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=240813102|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 4, 2022|title=Rowand homers twice in White Sox win|work=ESPN|date=August 13, 2004|access-date=February 24, 2021}}</ref> Five days later, he had another two-home-run game, hitting his first ever [[Grand slam (baseball)|grand slam]] against [[Jeremy Bonderman]] in a 9–2 victory over the [[Detroit Tigers]]. [[José Contreras]], the [[starting pitcher]] for the White Sox in both of Rowand's two-home-run games, said, "I owe him something a little bigger than dinner."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=240818104|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404153052/https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=240818104|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 4, 2022|title=Contreras wins third straight decision|work=ESPN|date=August 18, 2004|access-date=February 25, 2021}}</ref> In 140 games (487 at bats), Rowand batted .310 with 94 runs scored, 151 hits, 38 doubles, 24 home runs, and 69 RBI. He set a career high with 17 stolen bases.<ref name="brstats" /> His 5.7 [[Wins Above Replacement]] (WAR) figure was seventh in the [[American League]] (AL) and fourth among AL position players (trailing only [[Ichiro Suzuki]]'s 9.2, [[Alex Rodriguez]]'s 7.6, and [[Miguel Tejada]]'s 7.4).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/2004-batting-leaders.shtml|title=2004 AL Batting Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=February 25, 2021}}</ref>

====2005====
[[File:Victory Parade.jpg|thumb|200px|Aaron Rowand at the White Sox parade celebrating their victory in the [[2005 World Series]]]]
On June 10, 2005, with the White Sox leading the [[San Diego Padres]] by two runs in the seventh inning, Rowand made two run-saving plays. First, he threw out [[Phil Nevin]] in a close play at third base. Next, with runners on second and third and two outs, he made a diving catch to rob [[Khalil Greene]] of a hit and end the inning. The White Sox won 4–2.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/white-sox/white-sox-2005-rewind-aaron-rowands-game-saving-inning-center-field|title=Aaron Rowand's Game-Saving Inning in Center Field|work=NBC Sports|date=April 15, 2020|access-date=February 21, 2021}}</ref> Two days later, after entering the game as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning, Rowand hit a go-ahead, three-run, 10th-inning home run against [[Trevor Hoffman]], helping the White Sox beat the Padres 8–5.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SDN/SDN200506120.shtml|title=Chicago White Sox at San Diego Padres Box Score, June 12, 2005|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=March 4, 2021}}</ref> Rowand had three hits and scored three runs on July 16 in a 7–5 victory over the [[Cleveland Indians]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=250716105|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210609000724/https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=250716105|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 9, 2021|title=Buehrle wins; Hafner hit in mouth, leaves game|work=ESPN|date=July 16, 2005|access-date=March 1, 2021}}</ref> On September 13, he had four hits and a career-high three doubles in a 6–4 win over the [[Kansas City Royals]]. White Sox manager [[Ozzie Guillén]] said, "Rowand had a big night. From now on somebody needs to step up and be a hero every game. Tonight
it was Rowand."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=250913107|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404153104/https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=250913107|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 4, 2022|title=White Sox beat Royals for 13th time this season|work=ESPN|date=September 14, 2005|access-date=March 4, 2021}}</ref> In 2005, he had a .270 batting average with 77 runs and 30 doubles. Rowand also hit 13 home runs and stole 16 bases.<ref name="brstats" /> He walked 32 times and struck out 116.<ref name="brstats" /> He had a .329 [[on-base percentage]] (OBP) and a .407 [[slugging percentage]] (SLG). He also collected 235 [[total bases]].<ref name="brstats" /> Defensively, he collected 388 putouts and committed only three [[Error (baseball)|errors]], for a .978 [[fielding percentage]].<ref name="brstats" /> His defensive WAR of 1.9 was the seventh-best in the AL.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/2005-batting-leaders.shtml|title=2005 AL Batting Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=March 4, 2021}}</ref>

The White Sox won the [[AL Central]] title, advancing to the playoffs for the first time in Rowand's career.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHW/2005.shtml|title=2005 Chicago White Sox Statistics|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=March 4, 2021}}</ref> In the first game of the [[2005 American League Division Series|AL Division Series]] (ALDS) against the [[Boston Red Sox]], he slammed into the wall chasing after a ball even though the White Sox were up by 14 runs.<ref name="Rock">{{cite web|last=Kernan|first=Kevin|url=https://nypost.com/2005/10/22/rock-of-the-chisox-rowand-goes-all-out-in-cf/|title=Rock of the Chi-Sox; Rowand Goes All-Out in CF|work=The New York Post|date=October 22, 2005|access-date=March 9, 2021}}</ref> He batted .400 with two RBI in the ALDS, which Chicago swept in three games.<ref name="brstats" /> In the [[2005 American League Championship Series|AL Championship Series]] (ALCS), he batted .167 with three hits (all doubles), three runs scored, and one RBI as the White Sox defeated the [[Los Angeles Angels]] in five games.<ref name="postseason Rowand">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rowanaa01.shtml|title=Aaron Rowand Postseason Batting Gamelogs|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=March 4, 2021}}</ref> Against the [[Houston Astros]] in the [[2005 World Series|World Series]], he batted .294. Though he had no RBI, he scored two runs and had five hits as the White Sox swept the Astros, earning their first World Series championship since [[1917 World Series|1917]].<ref name="postseason Rowand"/><ref name="ws">{{cite web |work=MLB.com |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/cws/history/championship05.jsp |title=2005 World Series Champions |access-date=August 3, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080402181652/http://mlb.mlb.com/cws/history/championship05.jsp|archive-date=April 2, 2008}}</ref>

During his time in Chicago, Rowand was a favorite of the fans because of his style of play. He would run hard after balls hit to center field, not afraid to crash into the outfield wall if it was necessary to make a catch.<ref name="phillies-camp"/> "White Sox fans have always reserved a special place for Aaron because of his all-out style of play and love for the game," observed Director of Player Development [[Nick Capra]] in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|last=Merkin|first=Scott|url=https://www.mlb.com/whitesox/news/aaron-rowand-hired-as-white-sox-instructor/c-157978288|title=White Sox tab Rowand as Minors instructor|work=MLB.com|date=November 23, 2015|access-date=March 4, 2021}}</ref>