This story has gotten spun in every different direction and that continued today. Adam LaRoche has retired because his son was no longer allowed in the clubhouse. First, the war was waged on White Sox VP Ken Wiliams, but new information suggests it was the players who had the issue with Drake LaRoche’s presence in the locker room. Quote from USA Today:
Several players and staff members privately complained to White Sox management recently about the constant presence of LaRoche’s 14-year-old son, Drake, in the clubhouse. Drake LaRoche, multiple people say, was with the team about 120 games during the 2015 season.
Apparently, no one ever told LaRoche. These players and staff members didn’t feel comfortable even sharing it with their own teammates, with several White Sox players saying they never heard a complaint. But they did express their views to management.
If we are being totally honest, this is an awkward situation all around that is only cured by LaRoche retiring. Why not? It’s okay that he wants to be a father, but setting that precedent for being able to bring your kid to work with you every single day probably isn’t a good idea. After hearing of the complaints, Willaims had to talk to LaRoche. More from USA Today:
Instead, it wasn’t until Williams heard complaints, sat down with LaRoche, and told him to scale back his son’s presence in camp. He could still come to camp and be in the clubhouse, but perhaps just half the time. Certainly, not every day.
Well, after their heart-to-heart talk, nothing changed, according to multiple people in White Sox camp. LaRoche kept bringing his son to the ballpark every day. This went on for at least three or four days. When Williams saw Drake on the field this week, in the middle of a practice drill, standing on the pitcher’s mound, he lost it. Williams told LaRoche that was it. He violated the privilege. No more clubhouse access.
Sure, most people can’t bring their kids to work with them every day, but baseball is different. The only issue is that apparently the other players weren’t cool with it, so that is reason enough to not allow it to happen. There is a time for work and a time for home life, that is a reality, so really the only choice is retiring and dropping one of those things.