Chicago White Sox: No Children Allowed?
Why did Adam LaRoche abruptly retire from the Chicago White Sox?
As the Inquisitr recently reported, the 12-year first baseman/designated hitter retired with little warning over an “undisclosed personal issue.”
The New York Times now tells what that “undisclosed personal issue” is: White Sox president Kenny Williams told LaRoche to “dial it back” with regard to how often LaRoche let his 14-year-old son, Drake, come into the clubhouse.
Family or White Sox First?
Williams expressed surprise at LaRoche’s decision, according to the Times.
“I was a little surprised at the stance that he took. It’s unfortunate. But talk about a quality decision, a life decision and a family decision. He talked about being there for his family and family first and front and center, and I respect and admire that.”
Williams also told the Times that while it’s “great” to have kids come into the clubhouse, “I just don’t think it’s great every day.”
Other White Sox teammates, however, were quick to side with LaRoche. One of them was Chicago center fielder Adam Eaton.
“On our side of things, I think everyone would say we enjoyed Drake LaRoche in the clubhouse and everything he brought to the clubhouse. He helped out around and wasn’t a burden by any stretch of the imagination. He wasn’t a big problem last year, either.”
ESPN reported that the Chicago White Sox were considering a boycott to show their support for LaRoche.
White Sox players considered not playing in Wednesday's spring training game in support of Adam LaRoche. https://t.co/uqc5QSJiHD
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 17, 2016
Some of LaRoche’s former teammates also tweeted their support, including Hall of Famer Chipper Jones.
Big ups to my boy @e3laroche for standing up for his beliefs. We play a GAME! Good for u brother. #FamilyFirst
— Chipper Jones (@RealCJ10) March 16, 2016
Willie Robertson of Duck Dynasty also tweeted his support.
Been bringing my kid to work since she was 14. Worked out well. #FamilyFirst @e3laroche pic.twitter.com/Z1ZunD8DmM
— Willie Robertson (@williebosshog) March 17, 2016
What is Appropriate in the Clubhouse?
LaRoche’s standoff with White Sox management has touched off an old debate about the appropriateness of having children come to work with their parents.
In professional baseball, it’s nothing new for ballplayers to bring their sons to the games. For instance, Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. was often seen in the dugout with his father, Ken Griffey Sr., when the latter played for the “Big Red Machine” in the 1970s.
But having a child come to work every day can be disruptive, as was pointed out on Good Morning America in their segment on the White Sox/LaRoche controversy.
WATCH: @whitesox first baseman @e3laroche retires after a team fight over his son. What's your take? https://t.co/Jjw32QIrZM
— Good Morning America (@GMA) March 17, 2016
Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports investigated the situation as well, interviewing White Sox President Williams and others. He concluded that this case is not exactly black and white.
[I]t’s easy to envision scenarios where a player might not be comfortable with a 14-year-old in the clubhouse.
Williams asked Rosenthal, “You tell me where in this country can you bring your child to work every day?”
He also reiterated that he merely asked LaRoche to bring his son less often than he does.
However, Rosenthal offered the following consideration.
“Would Williams have raised the issue if LaRoche, 36, was coming off a big offensive season instead of one in which he batted .207 with a .634 OPS and 12 home runs in 484 plate appearances? Don’t think so.”
What do you think? Should Adam LaRoche be allowed to bring his son to the clubhouse every day? Does the Chicago White Sox president have a point?
[Photo by John Locher/AP]
