How They Spin It

Four newspapers equipped with the same quotes from Aaron Rowand, and here's how they spin them (hint — one of these things is not like the others):

Joe Cowley, Chicago Sun-Times: "Rowand, Sox Share Mutual Attraction"

''It's the first time I'm going through free agency. I haven't heard anything from my agent or other teams.'' That doesn't mean Rowand doesn't have a special place in his heart for the South Side -- not only because he was drafted by and grew up in the Sox organization, but also because of the 2005 World Series run.

Scot Gregor, Daily Herald: "Rowand's Ties to Sox Still Strong"

The Sox seemed to miss Rowand’s competitive fire while finishing third in the AL Central last season despite winning 90 games. And they really seem to miss the 29-year-old outfielder this season.

For what it’s worth, Rowand said he misses the Sox, too.

Nathaniel Whalen, Daily Southtown: "Rowand Still Fond of Sox"

Whenever he sees his name linked to the White Sox via trade, free agency or anything else, former South Side cult hero and current Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Aaron Rowand doesn't know what to do.... If given a choice, Rowand probably never would have left the Sox for Philadelphia in a Nov. 25, 2005 trade that brought Jim Thome to the South Side.

Mark Gonzales, Chicago Tribune: "Rowand Isn't Sure About Return to Sox"

Rowand can become a free agent next season. He wondered Monday whether the Sox would make a competitive offer in what is expected to be a thick market for center fielders. He wasn't sure if he would lean toward the Sox if all offers were similar.

Nothing in Rowand's quotes, printed in all these newspapers, supports Gonzales' negative spin. Here's Aaron's main quote:

''Anytime you get drafted by an organization, come up through the organization, win the World Series [with] the organization, yeah, you're going to have a soft spot for that team,'' Rowand said. ''If you asked anybody anywhere if they were put in the same situation, they'd say that same thing.''

Thanks to Cubune Watcher Keith Makenas for this entry.