Aaron Rowand, White Sox Centerfielder. Jeff Robertson/AP

What was your welcome-to-the-major-leagues moment?

In my rookie year, 2001, [Cardinals pitcher] Dave Veres sawed me off and broke my bat with a 92-mile-an-hour sinker. Boomer [then teammate Davis Wells] glued toothpicks all over the ball and wrote a bunch of sayings on it and then gave it to me.

What was your most embarrassing moment?

Losing a fly ball in the Metrodome and running into the wall in leftfield. That was in 2002.

What is your favorite off-day activity?

Spending time with my kids.

If I weren't playing baseball, I'd be ...

in the Marines.

If I were commissioner for a day, I'd ...

get rid of the designated hitter.

Last Week

Rowand, 27, who has two children with his wife, Marianne, hit a 10th-inning homer to beat the Padres on Sunday as the White Sox improved to 42-20.

This Week

The White Sox end interleague play against the Dodgers, whom Rowand has not faced in his four seasons.

Issue date: June 20, 2005