White Sox Hire Aaron Rowand To Player Development Staff

(CBS) The White Sox have hired Aaron Rowand to their player development staff, as he'll serve as the minor league outfield and baserunning instructor, the team announced Monday.

Rowand, 38, spent the first five seasons of his 11-year MLB career with the White Sox, and he was the starting center fielder on the 2005 World Series championship team. He was renowned for his hustle and all-out approach on the field, notably his penchant for running into walls in an effort to make defensive plays -- sometimes to the detriment of his health.

"This is a great opportunity for me to give back to the organization which gave me my professional start," Rowand said in a statement. "As everyone knows, I have a deep passion and loyalty to the White Sox, so I'm excited to help the organization anyway I can. I feel like I have a lot to offer the players coming up through the system, and I can't wait to get started in spring training."

Rowand was also a member of the 2010 Giants team that won the World Series.

Rowand replaces Doug Sisson, who left the organization at season's end.

 "Aaron brings a great deal of passion to the ballpark every day, and we feel like his knowledge and expertise will be valuable assets to our player development system," White Sox director of player development Nick Capra said in a statement. "Aaron's engaging personality and eagerness to teach make him perfect for this outfield and baserunning role, where he can connect with players up and down our system.  White Sox fans have always reserved a special place for Aaron because of his all-out style of play and love for the game, so this is a great fit on many levels."