Mackowiak was born on June 20, 1976 in Oak Lawn, Illinois. 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.\n', '

Mackowiak was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds 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.\n', '

In 1996, Mackowiak spent his first professional baseball season with the Bradenton Pirates.\n', '

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