Rob Mackowiak
Encyclopedia
Robert William Mackowiak (born June 20, 1976) is an American professional baseball
player who is currently a free agent
. He bats left-handed, throws right-handed, and is a utility player. During his Major League Baseball
career, he has played for the Pittsburgh Pirates
, Chicago White Sox
, San Diego Padres
, and Washington Nationals
. At the end of the 2008 season, Mackowiak's career batting average was .257.
. He grew up playing baseball
for Oak Lawn Community High School
in Oak Lawn, Illinois, and then at Lake Central High School
in St. John, Indiana
, where he graduated in 1994. Mackowiak continued his baseball career by playing for South Suburban Junior College in Illinois.
Rob is married to Jennifer, and they have a son, Garret who was born May 28, 2004. They reside in the north Tampa
suburbs.
in the 30th round of the 1995 amateur draft
, but did not sign. In the following year's amateur draft, he was drafted in the 53rd round by the Pittsburgh Pirates
, and was signed by Pirates scout Bill Bryk.
In , Mackowiak spent his first professional baseball season with the Bradenton Pirates
.
In , Mackowiak moved on to the Erie SeaWolves
, where he helped the team achieve a first-place finish. He ended up hitting the second-most doubles
on the club for the season.
Mackowiak began the season with the Single-A Pirates affiliate, Augusta, before moving over to the Lynchburg Hillcats
, also a Single-A ballclub. He finished the season hitting
.268 with four homers
and 39 RBI
in 111 games with the two clubs. He was also ranked second in the Lynchburg club in triples
.
was another split season for the rising Mackowiak. Whereas he started the season in Lynchburg, he was promoted to the Altoona Curve
where he hit safely in 15 of his first 17 games. His production fell off towards the end of the season, in which he batted a mere .208 in his final 36 games.
Mackowiak spent his entire season with Double-A Altoona. He had a good season, setting some career highs in the offensive categories. Mackowiak had no set position for the club, so he acted as a basic utilityman. He made 71 appearances at second base, 38 in right field, 23 at third base
, two at shortstop
, and one in left field for Altoona that season. Mackowiak was also given Player of the Month honors for the Altoona club in May.
In , Mackowiak was promoted to Triple-A, playing for the Nashville Sounds
where he improved his game and excelled on the fields.
, where he went 0-for-3 with an intentional walk. Mackowiak's first major league home run came off of Florida's
Braden Looper
at PNC Park
on May 30.
was Mackowiak's first full season in the majors, in which he served as a utilityman, playing 5 different positions over the course of the season.
saw Mackowiak's second Opening Day start for the Pirates organization, and continuing his jack-of-all-trades status at the club, appeared at five different positions in his first 10 games (RF, CF, LF, 2B & 3B). He registered just one hit
in 21 at bat
s (.048 batting average) before being optioned to Triple-A Nashville on June 8, 2003. Mackowiak was recalled by Pittsburgh in August, and proceeded to post a career-high four hits in his return to the Pirates line-up on August 20, against the St. Louis Cardinals
.
was Mackowiak's best season, as he set career highs in many offensive categories, such as a career high of 17 home runs and 75 RBI. He also had an extremely memorable double header against the Chicago Cubs
on May 28, hitting a walk-off
grand slam
in the first game and a game-tying ninth inning home run in the second game, all on the same day that his son was born.
. Mackowiak was excited about playing in Chicago because it was where he grew up and still had relatives. He played as number 10, continued his utility roles at all three outfield positions, third base, and designated hitter
. At one point, he boasted an 11-game hitting streak. During the season he gained his 500th career hit.
for minor league pitching prospect Jon Link. He played in 28 games, and finished the year with a .263 average. At the end of the season, he underwent surgery for a double sports hernia.
, but was released in June. He appeared in 38 games for the Nationals, hitting .132. Later in the month, he was signed by the Cincinnati Reds
and sent to Triple-A Louisville
.
of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
. A month later, Cleveland signed him to play with AAA Columbus. After his release there, he rejoined the Bears in July and helped them to a playoff run, hitting .323.
and reported to their AAA team, the Columbus Clippers
. On July 7, the Clippers released him and he rejoined the Newark Bears to finish the 2009 season.
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
player who is currently a free agent
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....
. He bats left-handed, throws right-handed, and is a utility player. During his Major League Baseball
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...
career, he has played for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
, Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
, San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
, and Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
. At the end of the 2008 season, Mackowiak's career batting average was .257.
Personal life
Mackowiak was born on June 20, 1976 in Oak Lawn, IllinoisOak Lawn, Illinois
Oak Lawn is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 55,245 at the 2000 census.Oak Lawn is a suburb of the city of Chicago, located southwest of the city...
. He grew up playing baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
for Oak Lawn Community High School
Oak Lawn Community High School
Oak Lawn Community High School , is a school in the Chicago suburb of Oak Lawn, Illinois. The name "Spartans" and the colors Green and White were chosen by a committee in tribute to the Michigan State University Spartans, who won the Rose Bowl in 1954.-Academics:In 2009, OLCHS had an average...
in Oak Lawn, Illinois, and then at Lake Central High School
Lake Central High School
Lake Central High School is located in St. John, Indiana, USA for students in grades nine through twelve. In the 2005-06 academic year, it had an enrollment of 3,014, which puts it near the top of list of Indiana high schools in terms of enrollment. Its students come from the towns of St...
in St. John, Indiana
St. John, Indiana
-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 14,850 people and 5,047 households in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 93.50% White, 1.30% African American, 0.10% Native American, 1.30% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 2.40% from other races, and 1.20% from two or more races...
, where he graduated in 1994. Mackowiak continued his baseball career by playing for South Suburban Junior College in Illinois.
Rob is married to Jennifer, and they have a son, Garret who was born May 28, 2004. They reside in the north Tampa
Tâmpa
Tâmpa may refer to several villages in Romania:* Tâmpa, a village in Băcia Commune, Hunedoara County* Tâmpa, a village in Miercurea Nirajului, Mureş County* Tâmpa, a mountain in Braşov city...
suburbs.
Minor league career
Mackowiak was drafted by the Cincinnati RedsCincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
in the 30th round of the 1995 amateur draft
1995 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1995 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign-Background:Outfielder Darin Erstad of the University of Nebraska was the first pick in the 1995 Rule 4 Draft. Erstad compiled a career .356 average in three seasons with the...
, but did not sign. In the following year's amateur draft, he was drafted in the 53rd round by the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
, and was signed by Pirates scout Bill Bryk.
In , Mackowiak spent his first professional baseball season with the Bradenton Pirates
Bradenton Pirates
The Gulf Coast Pirates or GCL Pirates are the Rookie Level minor league affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The team plays in Bradenton, Florida, at Pirate City Stadium...
.
In , Mackowiak moved on to the Erie SeaWolves
Erie SeaWolves
The Erie SeaWolves are a minor league baseball team based in Erie, Pennsylvania. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers Major League Baseball club....
, where he helped the team achieve a first-place finish. He ended up hitting the second-most doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
on the club for the season.
Mackowiak began the season with the Single-A Pirates affiliate, Augusta, before moving over to the Lynchburg Hillcats
Lynchburg Hillcats
The Lynchburg Hillcats are a minor league baseball team in Lynchburg, Virginia. They are a Class High-A team in the Carolina League, and currently are a farm team of the Atlanta Braves. They had been a farm team of the Pittsburgh Pirates since 1995, with the Cincinnati Reds fulfilling the final...
, also a Single-A ballclub. He finished the season hitting
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 :...
.268 with four homers
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...
and 39 RBI
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...
in 111 games with the two clubs. He was also ranked second in the Lynchburg club in triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
.
was another split season for the rising Mackowiak. Whereas he started the season in Lynchburg, he was promoted to the Altoona Curve
Altoona Curve
The Altoona Curve are a minor league baseball team based in Altoona, Pennsylvania, named after nearby Horseshoe Curve . The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club...
where he hit safely in 15 of his first 17 games. His production fell off towards the end of the season, in which he batted a mere .208 in his final 36 games.
Mackowiak spent his entire season with Double-A Altoona. He had a good season, setting some career highs in the offensive categories. Mackowiak had no set position for the club, so he acted as a basic utilityman. He made 71 appearances at second base, 38 in right field, 23 at third base
Third Base
is a 1978 Japanese film directed by Yōichi Higashi.-External links:...
, two at shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
, and one in left field for Altoona that season. Mackowiak was also given Player of the Month honors for the Altoona club in May.
In , Mackowiak was promoted to Triple-A, playing for the Nashville Sounds
Nashville Sounds
The Nashville Sounds are a minor league baseball team of the Pacific Coast League , and the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. They are located in Nashville, Tennessee, and are named for the city's association with the music industry...
where he improved his game and excelled on the fields.
2001-05, Pittsburgh Pirates
It was no surprise that the Pirates bought Mackowiak's contract on May 18, 2001. His major league debut was at second base the next day against MilwaukeeMilwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, where he went 0-for-3 with an intentional walk. Mackowiak's first major league home run came off of Florida's
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
Braden Looper
Braden Looper
Braden LaVerne Looper is a former Major League Baseball pitcher.-High school:Looper was a scholar athlete while a student at Mangum High School in Mangum, Oklahoma...
at PNC Park
PNC Park
PNC Park is a baseball park located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is the fifth home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, the city's Major League Baseball franchise. It opened during the 2001 Major League Baseball season, after the controlled implosion of the Pirates' previous home, Three Rivers Stadium...
on May 30.
was Mackowiak's first full season in the majors, in which he served as a utilityman, playing 5 different positions over the course of the season.
saw Mackowiak's second Opening Day start for the Pirates organization, and continuing his jack-of-all-trades status at the club, appeared at five different positions in his first 10 games (RF, CF, LF, 2B & 3B). He registered just one hit
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 21 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 (.048 batting average) before being optioned to Triple-A Nashville on June 8, 2003. Mackowiak was recalled by Pittsburgh in August, and proceeded to post a career-high four hits in his return to the Pirates line-up on August 20, against the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
.
was Mackowiak's best season, as he set career highs in many offensive categories, such as a career high of 17 home runs and 75 RBI. He also had an extremely memorable double header against the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
on May 28, hitting a walk-off
Walk-off home run
In baseball, a walk-off home run is a home run that ends the game. It must be a home run that gives the home team the lead in the bottom of the final inning of the game—either the ninth inning, or any extra inning, or any other regularly scheduled final inning...
grand slam
Grand slam (baseball)
In the sport of baseball, a grand slam is a home run hit with all three bases occupied by baserunners , thereby scoring four runs—the most possible in one play. According to The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term originated in the card game of contract bridge, in which a grand slam involves...
in the first game and a game-tying ninth inning home run in the second game, all on the same day that his son was born.
2006, Chicago White Sox
The season brought Mackowiak to the Chicago White SoxChicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
. Mackowiak was excited about playing in Chicago because it was where he grew up and still had relatives. He played as number 10, continued his utility roles at all three outfield positions, third base, and 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...
. At one point, he boasted an 11-game hitting streak. During the season he gained his 500th career hit.
2007, Chicago White Sox and San Diego Padres
Mackowiak started the season with the White Sox, starting 64 games and hitting .278. At the end of July, he was traded to the San Diego PadresSan Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
for minor league pitching prospect Jon Link. He played in 28 games, and finished the year with a .263 average. At the end of the season, he underwent surgery for a double sports hernia.
2008, Washington National and Cincinnati Reds
In December 2007, Mackowiak signed with the Washington NationalsWashington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
, but was released in June. He appeared in 38 games for the Nationals, hitting .132. Later in the month, he was signed by the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
and sent to Triple-A Louisville
Louisville Bats
The Louisville Bats, which play in Louisville, Kentucky, are the AAA minor league baseball affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. The team, formerly known as the Louisville RiverBats, plays in the International League...
.
2009, New York Mets
Mackowiak became a free agent at the end of the season and agreed to a minor league contract with the New York Mets on January 23, . He was released by the Mets on April 14.Newark Bears
On May 8, 2009, Mackowiak signed with the Newark BearsNewark Bears
The Newark Bears are an American professional baseball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are a member of the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. Since the 1999 season, the Bears have played their home games at Bears &...
of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball is a professional, independent baseball organization located primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, especially the greater metropolitan areas of the Northeast megalopolis. It operates in cities not served by Major or Minor League...
. A month later, Cleveland signed him to play with AAA Columbus. After his release there, he rejoined the Bears in July and helped them to a playoff run, hitting .323.
Cleveland Indians
On June 6, 2009, Rob was signed by the Cleveland IndiansCleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
and reported to their AAA team, the Columbus Clippers
Columbus Clippers
The Columbus Clippers are a minor league baseball team based in Columbus, Ohio. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. The team is owned by the government of Franklin County, Ohio....
. On July 7, the Clippers released him and he rejoined the Newark Bears to finish the 2009 season.