and graduated 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. Drafted by the New York Mets in the 40th round of the 1995 Major League Baseball (MLB) draft, he chose not to sign with them, electing to go to college instead. Rowand attended California State University, Fullerton, playing for their baseball team (the Titans) from 1996 through 1998. Initially, shortstop was his position, but assistant coach Rick Vanderhook realized he was a better outfielder and helped him make the transition. During his senior season, Rowand set a Cal State Fullerton record with 27 doubles. "He ran into walls everywhere we played," Vanderhook recalled. 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. Unlike some of the graduates, he would play all nine innings, taking the exhibition contest seriously. 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. Minor League career 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