Aaron Rowand News

"For the first time since becoming a Giant, Aaron Rowand saw Barry Bonds on Saturday when the outfielders of the present came onto the field during a pregame ceremony to hand commemorative pins to 26 outfielders of the past. Bonds had some profound words for one of his successors. "I told you it was cold here," Bonds told Rowand, who responded, "You weren't lying." Bonds was long gone when Rowand supplied his most profound act as a Giant. With one out in the 10th inning, he slapped a bases-loaded single past a drawn-in infield to complete a stunning rally against closer Jonathan Broxton that beat the Dodgers 3-2. The night could not have been sweeter for the Giants fans among the 41,963 in ..."

"Aaron Rowand sat by his locker this week and uttered a simple declaration that every hotshot prospect and clubhouse loudmouth in baseball should remember. "Nobody in this game deserves respect," Rowand said. "You have to earn it." Rowand has earned it. The currency of his respect is a World Series ring, the image of his bloodied face after crashing into that wall in Philadelphia, playing in 107 of 112 games in 2008 despite busting a rib or two in the second game of the season and his demeanor as the Giants' clubhouse leader. And make no mistake. Even if Rowand is correct in saying, "We're all equals in this clubhouse," he has emerged as the first among equals. "This is Rowand's team," ..."

"Yunel Escobar is scheduled to have an MRI on his troublesome left shoulder Monday and said Saturday that he was concerned "a little bit." The Braves' shortstop missed five games June 25-July 1 after injuring the shoulder reaching for first base when he dove back trying to avoid a double play."

"The Dodgers played the Giants in the first three games of the season and haven't seen them since -- except in the rearview mirror, at an uncomfortably close distance. In this season when the Giants were expected to be bad -- and they are -- nothing would be quite so embarrassing for the Dodgers as finishing behind their rivals. Season totals for center fielders, through Friday's games: Aaron Rowand, .300 with eight home runs and 43 runs batted in for the Giants, for $10 million; Andruw Jones and Juan Pierre, .243 with two home runs and 31 RBIs for the Dodgers, for $26 million."

"Giants center fielder Aaron Rowand acquiesced to a day off Saturday in order to rest an inflamed right hip flexor. But he never begs for a break, and he wouldn't dream of complaining if selected to the National League All-Star team. "No, I'd be honored to play," said Rowand, whose .328 average is fifth in the National League and leads all N.L. outfielders. "Last year was one of the highlights of my career and it would be an honor to be a part of something like that again.""

"Aaron Rowand made the final out of last year's All-Star Game in San Francisco, flying to right against the Angels' Francisco Rodriguez with the bases loaded to end a 5-4 American League victory. The numbers suggest Rowand deserves a shot to go to this year's game at Yankee Stadium. The Giants are going to campaign for Rowand's election to the National League team, but he has no illusions about his chances. Other than Barry Bonds, San Francisco players have had a hard time in the polling. A decrease in attendance will not help the cause either."

"For now, the Giants have as many as four All-Star candidates - Tim Lincecum, Bengie Molina, Aaron Rowand and Brian Wilson - but the team's low placement in the standings could mean only one Giant will suit up July 15 at Yankee Stadium. "We've got some guys having really good years," Rowand said. "Right now, if I had to say one guy, it probably would be Timmy. He's throwing the heck out of the ball." Lincecum, who threw seven scoreless innings Sunday before being charged with an eighth-inning run, is 7-1 with a 2.23 ERA."