Chris Rowley

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name = Chris Rowley

| image = Rowley debut 2017.jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Rowley in Toronto in 2017

| team =

| number =

| position = Pitcher

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1990|8|14}}

| birth_place = Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.

| bats = Right

| throws = Right

| debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = August 12

| debutyear = 2017

| debutteam = Toronto Blue Jays

| finalleague = MLB

| finaldate = July 15

| finalyear = 2018

| finalteam = Toronto Blue Jays

| statleague = MLB

| stat1label = Win–loss record

| stat1value = 1–3

| stat2label = Earned run average

| stat2value = 7.91

| stat3label = Strikeouts

| stat3value = 11

| teams =

Toronto Blue Jays ({{mlby|2017}}–{{mlby|2018}})

}}

Christopher Ryan Rowley (born August 14, 1990) is an American attorney,{{Cite web |title=Biography: Chris Rowley |url=https://www.foxrothschild.com/chris-rowley}} legal scholar,{{Cite web |title=It’s Past Time: Unionization and Self-Determinism in Minor League Baseball |url=https://lawreview.colorado.edu/print/volume-95/its-past-time-unionization-and-self-determinism-in-minor-league-baseball-chris-rowley/}} and former professional baseball pitcher.{{Cite news |last=Miller |first=Scott |date=2023-05-09 |title=As Minor Leaguers Unionized, One Went to Law School |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/09/sports/baseball/chris-rowley-mlb-union-law-school.html |access-date=2023-05-16 |issn=0362-4331}} He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays. He was also a first lieutenant in the United States Army. Upon his major-league debut in August 2017, Rowley became the first West Point graduate to play in MLB.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-pitcher-chris-rowley-set-join-exclusive-club/|title=Blue Jays pitcher Chris Rowley set to join exclusive club|last=Nicholson-Smith|first=Ben|work=Sportsnet|date=August 11, 2017|accessdate=August 11, 2017}}{{cite news|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2017/08/11/blue-jays-rowley-about-to-make-west-point-history |title=Blue Jays' Rowley about to make West Point history |first=Steve |last=Buffery |date=August 11, 2017 |accessdate=September 8, 2017 |newspaper=Toronto Sun}}

High school and college

Rowley attended South Forsyth High School in Cumming, Georgia, where he set school records in wins, earned run average (ERA), and strikeouts.{{cite web|url=http://goarmywestpoint.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6792|title=Army West Point Athletics – Chris Rowley 2013|work=goarmywestpoint.com|accessdate=July 8, 2017}} After high school, Rowley was offered college baseball scholarships by Mercer University and the United States Military Academy (also called West Point). He chose the Military Academy over Mercer, as the Army Black Knights offered him a chance to start games, while the Mercer Bears wanted him in the bullpen, working as a relief pitcher.{{cite web|url=http://toronto.locals.baseballprospectus.com/2017/06/23/the-unusual-journey-of-blue-jays-prospect-chris-rowley/|title=The unusual journey of Blue Jays prospect Chris Rowley|last=Rainey|first=Tammy|work=baseballprospectus.com|date=June 23, 2017|accessdate=August 11, 2017}} In his first season with Army, he appeared in three games for the Black Knights and posted a 13.00 ERA in nine innings pitched. The following year, Rowley pitched to a 5–4 win–loss record, 4.68 ERA, and 54 strikeouts in 73 total innings. Rowley finished the 2012 campaign with an 11–1 record, which included six complete games and five shutouts, and added a 2.40 earned run average and 80 strikeouts in 97{{frac|1|3}} innings. Following the season, he was named the Patriot League's Pitcher of the Year. In his final season with the Black Knights, Rowley went 9–4 with a 2.67 ERA and 75 strikeouts in 97{{frac|2|3}} innings pitched.

Professional career

=Toronto Blue Jays=

==Minor leagues and military==

{{Infobox military person

| name = Chris Rowley

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1990|8|14}}

| birth_place = Atlanta, Georgia

| allegiance = {{nowrap|{{flag|United States|name=United States of America|1960|size=23px}}}}

| branch = {{flag|United States Army|size=23px}}

| serviceyears = 2013–2016

| rank = 10px First lieutenant

}}

Undrafted after graduation, Rowley was invited by the Toronto Blue Jays to play for the Gulf Coast League Blue Jays for the remainder of the 2013 season, after which he would begin his five-year active duty obligation to the United States Army.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/magazine/a-new-target/|title=A New Target|last=Joyce|first=Gare|work=Sportsnet|date=May 15, 2014|accessdate=July 8, 2017}} In nine games played, he pitched to a 4–0 record, 1.10 ERA, and 39 strikeouts in 32{{frac|2|3}} innings.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=rowley000chr|title=Chris Rowley Minor League Statistics & History|work=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=August 11, 2017}} Rowley began his military service assigned to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and was later assigned to Bulgaria and Romania as a Field Artillery fire support officer.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/big-read-blue-jays-chris-rowley-not-average-mlb-pitching-prospect/|title=The Outlier|last=Joyce|first=Gare|work=Sportsnet|date=July 30, 2017|accessdate=July 30, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/chris-rowley-takes-most-unlikely-path-to-blue-jays-camp/|title=Chris Rowley's most unlikely path to Blue Jays camp|last=Joyce|first=Gare|work=Sportsnet|date=March 7, 2016|accessdate=July 8, 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ohio.com/akron/sports/mlb-notebook-west-point-grad-chris-rowley-takes-long-route-to-major-leagues|title=MLB notebook: West Point grad Chris Rowley takes long route to major leagues|work=Ohio.com|publisher=Associated Press|date=August 13, 2017|access-date=August 16, 2018}} While assigned to Bulgaria for Operation Atlantic Resolve, first lieutenant Rowley pitched to his company's senior medic to keep his arm in shape.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/fisher-cats/news/duty-honor-baseball/c-232536942/t-196097244|title=Duty, Honor, Baseball|last=Zickel|first=Tyler|work=MiLB.com|date=May 26, 2017|accessdate=August 9, 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.forsythnews.com/sports/south-forsyth-high-school/baseball-south-forsyth-alum-chris-rowley-just-step-away-majors/|title=Baseball: South Forsyth alum Chris Rowley is just a step away from the majors|last=Frazer|first=Ian|work=forsythnews.com|date=July 12, 2017|accessdate=August 9, 2017}} After serving 30 months in the military, Rowley's application for an exception to the remainder of his commitment was approved on January 22, 2016, and he was assigned to Individual Ready Reserve.{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/247823632/us-army-vet-chris-rowley-on-first-mlb-callup/|title=US Army vet Rowley wowed by 1st MLB callup|last=Matheson|first=Keegan|work=MLB.com|date=August 11, 2017|accessdate=August 11, 2017|archive-date=August 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812101006/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/247823632/us-army-vet-chris-rowley-on-first-mlb-callup/|url-status=dead}} He played the entire year with the Advanced-A Dunedin Blue Jays, and posted a 10–3 win–loss record, 3.49 ERA, and 86 strikeouts in a career-high 123{{frac|2|3}} innings. He was assigned to the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats to begin the 2017 season, and earned a promotion to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons on June 19.{{cite web|url=http://www.pointerview.com/2017/06/29/2013-grad-chris-rowley-called-up-to-buffalo-bisons/|title=2013 Grad Chris Rowley called up to Buffalo Bisons|last=Castner|first=Kat|work=pointerview.com|date=June 29, 2017|accessdate=July 8, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.wgrz.com/sports/baseball/bisons/chris-rowleys-journey-from-the-army-to-the-bisons/454406090|title=Chris Rowley's journey from the Army to the Bisons|last=Prusak|first=Heather|work=wgrz.com|date=July 5, 2017|accessdate=July 8, 2017}} Rowley initially pitched out of the bullpen for Buffalo, and joined the starting rotation on July 4.{{cite web|url=http://buffalonews.com/2017/07/03/two-years-military-service-chris-rowley-takes-ball-bisons-independence-day/|title=On July 4, ex-military man Chris Rowley takes the ball for the Bisons|last=Moritz|first=Amy|work=buffalonews.com|date=July 3, 2017|accessdate=August 9, 2017}}

= Major Leagues =

On August 12, 2017, Rowley was called up from Triple-A Buffalo to start against the Pittsburgh Pirates.{{cite news |last1=Armstrong |first1=Laura |title=Blue Jays call-up Rowley first West Point grad to pitch in bigs |url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2017/08/11/blue-jays-call-up-rowley-first-west-point-grad-to-pitch-in-bigs.html |access-date=February 16, 2023 |work=Toronto Star |date=August 11, 2017}} He pitched 5{{frac|1|3}} innings and allowed a single run on five hits and one walk with three strikeouts, and earned the win in the 7–2 victory.{{cite news |title=West Point grad Chris Rowley wins MLB debut, Blue Jays beat Pirates 7-2 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2017/08/12/west-point-grad-rowley-wins-ml-debut-jays-beat-pirates-7-2/104529314/ |access-date=February 16, 2023 |work=USA Today |agency=Associated Press |date=August 12, 2017}} In his rookie season, Rowley recorded a 6.75 ERA and 1–2 record in 6 games. Rowley was outrighted off the 40-man roster on November 20, 2017.{{cite news |last1=Chisholm |first1=Gregor |title=Blue Jays acquire Ngoepe from Bucs |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/blue-jays-trade-for-pirates-gift-ngoepe-c262241486 |access-date=February 16, 2023 |work=MLB.com |date=November 20, 2017}} On January 24, 2018, the Blue Jays invited him to spring training as a non-roster invitee.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-announce-non-roster-invitees-major-league-camp/|title=Blue Jays announce non-roster invitees to major league camp|work=Sportsnet|date=January 24, 2018|accessdate=January 24, 2018}} He did not make the club and was assigned to Triple-A Buffalo to begin the year. Rowley was added to the active roster on July 14, 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-call-chris-rowley-option-ryan-borucki/|title=Blue Jays call up Chris Rowley, option Ryan Borucki|last=Zwelling|first=Arden|work=Sportsnet|date=July 14, 2018|accessdate=July 14, 2018}} In two games for Toronto in 2018, Rowley allowed three earned runs in {{frac|2|3}} innings pitched.

=Texas Rangers=

On July 23, 2018, Rowley was claimed off waivers by the Texas Rangers.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-right-hander-chris-rowley-claimed-off-waivers-rangers/|title=Blue Jays right-hander Chris Rowley claimed off waivers by Rangers|publisher=Sportsnet|date=July 23, 2018|accessdate=July 23, 2018}} He spent the remainder of the season with the Triple-A Round Rock Express, logging a 2–3 record and 3.46 ERA in 7 games. On September 10, Rowley was outrighted off of the 40-man roster.{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Steve |date=2018-09-10 |title=Rangers Outright Chris Rowley |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/09/rangers-outright-chris-rowley.html |access-date=2025-02-16 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}} He declared free agency on October 5, 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/10/players-electing-free-agency.html|title=Players Electing Free Agency|work=MLB Trade Rumors|first=Jeff|last=Todd|date=October 8, 2018|accessdate=October 9, 2018}}

=San Diego Padres=

On February 28, 2019, Rowley signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres organization. He was assigned to the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas, where he pitched to a 11.02 ERA in {{fraction|16|1|3}} innings of work, missing much of the year due to injury. Rowley elected free agency following the season on November 4.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2019/|title=Minor League Free Agents 2019|author=Matt Eddy|website=Baseball America|date=November 7, 2019|accessdate=November 7, 2019}}

=Minnesota Twins=

On January 28, 2020, Rowley signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins organization.{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/transactions/?tcid=mm_mlb_players#month=1&year=2020|title=Major League Baseball Transactions|work=MLB.com|accessdate=January 29, 2020}} Rowley did not play in a game in 2020 due to a career-ending shoulder injury and the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/06/2020-minor-league-season-will-be-canceled.html|title = 2020 Minor League Season Canceled| date=30 June 2020 }} He became a free agent on November 2.{{Cite web|title=2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2020-minor-league-baseball-season-canceled|access-date=September 17, 2024|website=mlb.com|language=en}}

Legal career

= Law School =

During the cancelled 2020 minor league season, during which minor league contracts were voided and players were not paid, Rowley grew frustrated with the labor conditions and lack of collective bargaining for minor league players.{{cite web | last=Adler | first=David | title=2020 Minor League Baseball season canceled | website=MLB.com | date=2020-06-30 | url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2020-minor-league-baseball-season-canceled | access-date=2025-02-16}} Rowley began work in the minor league grassroots labor movement with Advocates for Minor Leaguers, a nonprofit formed to help players attain a "collective voice," and subsequently enrolled in the University of Colorado Law School.{{Cite web |title=Who We Are {{!}} Advocates for Minor Leaguers |url=https://www.advocatesforminorleaguers.com/about/ |access-date=2023-05-16 |website=www.advocatesforminorleaguers.com}} While there, he was awarded the Michael Weiner Scholarship for Labor Studies.

= Practice =

Following graduation from law school, Rowley joined Philadelphia law firm Fox Rothschild in its Denver, Colorado office, where he practices transactional real estate, zoning & land use, and financial services.{{Cite web |title=Chris Rowley |url=https://www.foxrothschild.com/chris-rowley}}

= Publications =

Following minor league players' unionization in September 2022,{{Cite web |date=2022-09-14 |title=Minor leaguers are joining the MLBPA: Here's what the unionization means |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/34586802/minor-leaguers-joining-mlbpa-here-unionization-means |access-date=2023-05-16 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} Rowley authored a law review article on the labor relationship in Minor League Baseball; the article, titled "It’s Past Time: Unionization and Self-Determinism in Minor League Baseball," was published in Volume 95 of the University of Colorado Law Review in June 2024. The article both criticizes past labor practices by Major League Baseball and proposes a new way forward in the Minor League labor relationship.

In May 2024, Rowley published another article, titled "Creative Jurisprudence: The Paradox of Free Speech Absolutism" alongside Indiana University law professor R. George Wright.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-08 |title=Creative Jurisprudence: The Paradox of Free Speech Absolutism – University of Colorado |url=https://lawreview.colorado.edu/forum/creative-jurisprudence-the-paradox-of-free-speech-absolutism/ |access-date=2024-11-20 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=R. George Wright: University Honors and Awards: Indiana University |url=https://honorsandawards.iu.edu/awards/honoree/2038.html |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=University Honors & Awards |language=en-US}} The article critically examines constitutional paradoxes created by the Supreme Court's "absolutist" stance on the First Amendment's right to free speech in 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis.