Rich Rowland
Encyclopedia
Richard Garnet Rowland is a former baseball player for Major League Baseball
who played from 1990–1995. He played as a backup catcher
for the Detroit Tigers
and the Boston Red Sox
. In addition to catching, he also played sparsely as a designated hitter
, first baseman
, third baseman
, and pinch runner
(although appearing only as a pinch runner in a game does not count as a game played
). Prior to playing professional baseball, Rowland attended Mendocino College
in nearby Ukiah, California
. He also had a longer career in minor league baseball
on and off from 1988–1997, where he even served as a pitcher
in three games.
for a total of nine seasons from 1988–1997; he did not play in the minor leagues in 1994. He played for the minor leagues during the same seasons that he also played in the Major Leagues
. He debuted in the minor leagues on the Bristol Tigers (now the Bristol White Sox
) in 1988— a rookie-class Appalachian League
team formerly owned by the Detroit Tigers
. That season, he played 56 games for a .274 batting average in 186 at bats as catcher. In 1989, he advanced to the Tigers' A-class Fayetteville Generals
of the South Atlantic League
, where he had a .272 batting average, 102 hits, and nine home runs. He also recorded two games pitched
, pitching a total of two innings and allowing one run. Continuing through the Tigers' farm system, he advanced to the AA-class London Tigers
of the Eastern League in 1990. He played for London for the first half of the season, where he statistics were impressive enough for a mid-season promotion to the AAA-class Toledo Mud Hens
of the International League
. For London, he batted .286 with 46 hits in 47 games with 161 at bats. For Toledo, he batted .260 with 50 hits and 192 at bats.
For his efforts, he was called up to the Detroit Tigers on September 7, 1990 and played seven games with them during the 1990 season. From 1991–1993, he played the majority of time with Toledo, while being called up on occasion to play for the Tigers as catcher. His statistic in the Major Leagues were unimpressive due to his limited time on the Tigers' roster, but his statistics with Toledo were far more impressive. When he was not called up to play for the Tigers, he was a consistent full-time catcher with Toledo. In 1991, he accumulated 104 hits in 383 at bats for a .272 batting average. 1992 was his finest season as a minor league player. Though batting only .235, he accumulated 111 hits in 473 at bats, 25 home runs, and 82 runs batted in. His minor league playing time in 1993 was shorter, as he played more time on the Tigers. That season with Toledo, he batted .268 but hit 21 home runs in 325 at bats— a relatively high home run ratio of 15.48. His slugging percentage of .548 ranked forth in the International League in 1993.
At the start of the 1994 season, Rowland was traded from the Detroit Tigers
to the Boston Red Sox
and did not play in the minor leagues for Boston that year. In 1995, he played for Boston's AAA affiliate Pawtucket Red Sox
, but he played little time for Pawtucket since he played more for Boston. With Pawtucket, he batted .258 in 34 games and 124 at bats. At the end of the 1995 season, Rowland was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays
, where he played on their AAA affiliate Syracuse Chiefs of the International League in 1996. He played 96 games with 288 at bats but only had a .226 batting average (his lowest minor league batting average). While on the Chiefs, he was never called up to play for the Blue Jays and was traded to the San Francisco Giants
for the start of 1997. He never played for the Giants but instead played on their AAA affiliate Phoenix Firebirds
of the Pacific Coast League
during the 1997 season. His time on the Chiefs was short, and he only played in 19 games before retiring.
on September 7, 1990 at the age of 26 as part of the team's late season expanded roster
. While playing in the Major Leagues for the Detroit Tigers, Rowland also played intermittently on their Toledo Mud Hens
minor league team and was occasionally called up to the Tigers when needed . In 1990, he played in only seven games, accumulating only three hits
in 19 at bat
s for a .158 batting average
. He returned for the Tigers in 1991 as a backup catcher to Mickey Tettleton
, who rarely missed a game. Because of that, Rowland saw very little playing time with two other backup catchers— Andy Allanson
and Mark Salas
— on the roster as well. That season, he played in only four games, accumulating only four at bats, one hit, one run batted in
, and a .250 batting average. Rowland saw similar playing time in 1992; he only played in six games, batting 14 times with three hits for a .214 batting average. Despite very little playing time, he was contracted for the league-minimum $120,000 that season but spent most of his time on assignment with minor league Toledo. In 1993, Rowland saw his most playing time on the Detroit Tigers. That year, primary catcher Mickey Tettleton played more time as a first baseman
and outfielder
, giving Rowland and fellow backup catcher Chad Kreuter
more playing time. That year, Rowland played 21 games, accumulating 10 hits in 46 at bats for a .217 batting average.
for catcher John Flaherty
. The strike-shortened 1994 season
would prove to be by far Rowland's best season. He played in 46 games, accumulating 118 at bats, 27 hits, nine home run
s (hitting his first Major League home run this year), 20 runs batted in, and a .229 batting average. He also posted a career high .483 slugging percentage, among other career highs this season. In 1995, Rowland played again on the Red Sox, who won American League East
division that year. He played in only 14 games, accumulating 29 at bats with five hits and a low .172 batting average. He played his final Major League game on June 15, 1995. He was sent back full-time to the Pawtucket Red Sox
minor league team for the duration of the season. During the off-season, Rowland was granted free agency
from the Red Sox and was acquired by the Toronto Blue Jays
and later the San Francisco Giants
— though he never played in the Major Leagues again.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
who played from 1990–1995. He played as a backup catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
for the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
and the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
. In addition to catching, he also played sparsely as a designated hitter
Designated hitter
In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to...
, first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
, third baseman
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
, and pinch runner
Pinch runner
A pinch runner is a baseball player substituted for the specific purpose of replacing a player on base. In the typical case, the pinch runner is faster or otherwise more skilled at base-running than the player for whom the pinch runner has been substituted...
(although appearing only as a pinch runner in a game does not count as a game played
Games played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
). Prior to playing professional baseball, Rowland attended Mendocino College
Mendocino College
Mendocino College is a two-year tax-supported community college located in Ukiah, California. Mendocino College was founded in 1973. The main campus is located on of hilltop land north of downtown Ukiah in the Ukiah valley. Currently there are about 5,155 students, 55 full-time faculty, and 200...
in nearby Ukiah, California
Ukiah, California
The average high temperature is 73.5 °F . Average low temperature is 46.1 °F . Temperatures reach 90 °F on an average of 65.6 days annually and 100 °F on an average of 14.4 days annually. Due to frequent low humidity, summer temperatures normally drop into the fifties at night. Freezing...
. He also had a longer career in minor league baseball
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
on and off from 1988–1997, where he even served as a pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
in three games.
Minor leagues
Rowland played for minor league baseballMinor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
for a total of nine seasons from 1988–1997; he did not play in the minor leagues in 1994. He played for the minor leagues during the same seasons that he also played in the Major Leagues
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. He debuted in the minor leagues on the Bristol Tigers (now the Bristol White Sox
Bristol White Sox
The Bristol White Sox are a minor league baseball team in Bristol, Virginia, USA. They are a Rookie-level team in the Appalachian League and have been a farm team of the Chicago White Sox since 1995. The White Sox play home games at Devault Memorial Stadium. Opened in 1969, Devault Memorial Stadium...
) in 1988— a rookie-class Appalachian League
Appalachian League
The Appalachian League is a Rookie-class minor league that began play in 1937 with one year of inactivity in 1956. From 1937 to 1962, it was a Class D League. Teams are located in the Appalachian regions of Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia and Tennessee...
team formerly owned by the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
. That season, he played 56 games for a .274 batting average in 186 at bats as catcher. In 1989, he advanced to the Tigers' A-class Fayetteville Generals
Fayetteville Generals
The Fayetteville Generals were a minor league baseball team located in Fayetteville, North Carolina.They were part of the South Atlantic League between 1987 and 1996. They were affiliated with the Detroit Tigers throughout their entire existence. Prior to the 1997 season, the Generals were renamed...
of the South Atlantic League
South Atlantic League
The South Atlantic League is a minor league baseball league based chiefly in the Southeastern United States, with the exception of three teams in the Mid-Atlantic States...
, where he had a .272 batting average, 102 hits, and nine home runs. He also recorded two games pitched
Games pitched
In baseball statistics, games pitched is the number of games in which a player appears as a pitcher; a player who is announced as the pitcher must face at least one batter, although exceptions are made if the pitcher announced in the starting lineup is injured before facing a batter, perhaps while...
, pitching a total of two innings and allowing one run. Continuing through the Tigers' farm system, he advanced to the AA-class London Tigers
London Tigers
The London Tigers were a professional AA baseball team that played in the Eastern League from 1989 to 1993. They played at Labatt Memorial Park in London, Ontario, and were affiliated with the Detroit Tigers.-History:...
of the Eastern League in 1990. He played for London for the first half of the season, where he statistics were impressive enough for a mid-season promotion to the AAA-class Toledo Mud Hens
Toledo Mud Hens
The Toledo Mud Hens are a minor league baseball team located in Toledo, Ohio. The Mud Hens play in the International League, and are affiliated with the major league baseball team the Detroit Tigers, based approximately 50 miles to the north of Toledo. The current team is one of several...
of the International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
. For London, he batted .286 with 46 hits in 47 games with 161 at bats. For Toledo, he batted .260 with 50 hits and 192 at bats.
For his efforts, he was called up to the Detroit Tigers on September 7, 1990 and played seven games with them during the 1990 season. From 1991–1993, he played the majority of time with Toledo, while being called up on occasion to play for the Tigers as catcher. His statistic in the Major Leagues were unimpressive due to his limited time on the Tigers' roster, but his statistics with Toledo were far more impressive. When he was not called up to play for the Tigers, he was a consistent full-time catcher with Toledo. In 1991, he accumulated 104 hits in 383 at bats for a .272 batting average. 1992 was his finest season as a minor league player. Though batting only .235, he accumulated 111 hits in 473 at bats, 25 home runs, and 82 runs batted in. His minor league playing time in 1993 was shorter, as he played more time on the Tigers. That season with Toledo, he batted .268 but hit 21 home runs in 325 at bats— a relatively high home run ratio of 15.48. His slugging percentage of .548 ranked forth in the International League in 1993.
At the start of the 1994 season, Rowland was traded from the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
to the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
and did not play in the minor leagues for Boston that year. In 1995, he played for Boston's AAA affiliate Pawtucket Red Sox
Pawtucket Red Sox
The Pawtucket Red Sox are the minor league baseball Triple-A affiliates of the Boston Red Sox and belong to the International League...
, but he played little time for Pawtucket since he played more for Boston. With Pawtucket, he batted .258 in 34 games and 124 at bats. At the end of the 1995 season, Rowland was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
, where he played on their AAA affiliate Syracuse Chiefs of the International League in 1996. He played 96 games with 288 at bats but only had a .226 batting average (his lowest minor league batting average). While on the Chiefs, he was never called up to play for the Blue Jays and was traded to the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
for the start of 1997. He never played for the Giants but instead played on their AAA affiliate Phoenix Firebirds
Phoenix Firebirds
The Phoenix Firebirds, formerly the Phoenix Giants, were a Minor League Baseball team that played in Phoenix, Arizona, USA from 1958-1959, and 1966 until 1997....
of the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
during the 1997 season. His time on the Chiefs was short, and he only played in 19 games before retiring.
Detroit Tigers
He was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in round 17 of the June 1988 draft. He played on various minor league teams before he made his professional debut late into the 1990 Detroit Tigers season1990 Detroit Tigers season
The Detroit Tigers season was the 90th season in franchise history. The Tigers finished in third place in the American League East, with a record of 79-83. They scored 750 runs and allowed 754...
on September 7, 1990 at the age of 26 as part of the team's late season expanded roster
Major League Baseball rosters
A Major League Baseball roster is a roster of players able to play for their respective Major League team. There are two types of rosters, the 25-man roster and the 40-man roster.-25-man roster:...
. While playing in the Major Leagues for the Detroit Tigers, Rowland also played intermittently on their Toledo Mud Hens
Toledo Mud Hens
The Toledo Mud Hens are a minor league baseball team located in Toledo, Ohio. The Mud Hens play in the International League, and are affiliated with the major league baseball team the Detroit Tigers, based approximately 50 miles to the north of Toledo. The current team is one of several...
minor league team and was occasionally called up to the Tigers when needed . In 1990, he played in only seven games, accumulating only three hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
in 19 at bat
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
s for a .158 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
. He returned for the Tigers in 1991 as a backup catcher to Mickey Tettleton
Mickey Tettleton
Mickey Lee Tettleton , is a former American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball for the Oakland Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers, and Texas Rangers...
, who rarely missed a game. Because of that, Rowland saw very little playing time with two other backup catchers— Andy Allanson
Andy Allanson
Andrew Neal Allanson , is a former professional baseball catcher who played in the Major Leagues for eight seasons, from 1986 to 1995. Andy was signed as a second-round pick in the 1983 amateur draft, by the Cleveland Indians and scout Bobby Malkmus...
and Mark Salas
Mark Salas
Mark Bruce Salas is a former professional catcher who played in Major League Baseball from -. Salas, who is of Mexican descent, currently works for the Chicago White Sox as a bullpen catcher....
— on the roster as well. That season, he played in only four games, accumulating only four at bats, one hit, one run batted in
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
, and a .250 batting average. Rowland saw similar playing time in 1992; he only played in six games, batting 14 times with three hits for a .214 batting average. Despite very little playing time, he was contracted for the league-minimum $120,000 that season but spent most of his time on assignment with minor league Toledo. In 1993, Rowland saw his most playing time on the Detroit Tigers. That year, primary catcher Mickey Tettleton played more time as a first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
and outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
, giving Rowland and fellow backup catcher Chad Kreuter
Chad Kreuter
Chadden Michael "Chad" Kreuter is a former catcher in Major League Baseball and the former head coach of the USC Trojans baseball team....
more playing time. That year, Rowland played 21 games, accumulating 10 hits in 46 at bats for a .217 batting average.
Boston Red Sox
On April 1, just prior to the start of the 1994 season, Rich Rowland was traded to the Boston Red SoxBoston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
for catcher John Flaherty
John Flaherty
John Timothy Flaherty is a television baseball broadcaster and a retired Major League Baseball player. Flaherty was a catcher, and last played in the major leagues for the New York Yankees.-Early life:...
. The strike-shortened 1994 season
1994 baseball strike
The 1994–95 Major League Baseball strike was the eighth work stoppage in baseball history, as well as the fourth in-season work stoppage in 22 years...
would prove to be by far Rowland's best season. He played in 46 games, accumulating 118 at bats, 27 hits, nine home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s (hitting his first Major League home run this year), 20 runs batted in, and a .229 batting average. He also posted a career high .483 slugging percentage, among other career highs this season. In 1995, Rowland played again on the Red Sox, who won American League East
American League East
The American League Eastern Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions . This division was created before the start of the 1969 season along with the Western Division...
division that year. He played in only 14 games, accumulating 29 at bats with five hits and a low .172 batting average. He played his final Major League game on June 15, 1995. He was sent back full-time to the Pawtucket Red Sox
Pawtucket Red Sox
The Pawtucket Red Sox are the minor league baseball Triple-A affiliates of the Boston Red Sox and belong to the International League...
minor league team for the duration of the season. During the off-season, Rowland was granted free agency
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
from the Red Sox and was acquired by the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
and later the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
— though he never played in the Major Leagues again.