A roust from cousin Aaron Rowand put new White Sox starter on right path

James Shields will make his White Sox debut Wednesday vs. the Washington Nationals. To fully understand the oomph pitcher James Shields gives the White Sox requires going back to the day his career received one.

A 16th-round pick in the 2000 draft, Shields found himself a Class A pitcher struggling to stay healthy and motivated after three so-so seasons — and not necessarily in that order. At home in southern California during the winter of 2003, Shields received a call from Aaron Rowand, his overachieving older cousin who always considered him a younger brother. He somehow found the energy to answer it.

Rowand extended Shields an invitation. Others remember it as an ultimatum. Whatever it…