Adam LaRoche Retired Because The White Sox Wanted Him To Stop Bringing His Son Into The Clubhouse Everyday

Sources: LaRoche chose to retire after #WhiteSox prez Ken Williams told him that he no longer could bring 14-year-old son into clubhouse.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 16, 2016

Just talked to #White Sox president Ken Williams. Here is what he told me about LaRoche:"There has been no policy...

Posted by Ken Rosenthal on Wednesday, March 16, 2016

"There has been no policy change with regards to allowance of kids in the clubhouse, on the field, the back fields during spring training. This young man that we're talking about, Drake, everyone loves this young man. In no way do I want this to be about him.'

"I asked Adam, said, 'Listen, our focus, our interest, our desire this year is to make sure we give ourselves every opportunity to focus on a daily basis on getting better. All I'm asking you to do with regard to bringing your kid to the ballpark is dial it back.'

"I don't think he should be here 100 percent of the time - and he has been here 100 percent, every day, in the clubhouse. I said that I don't even think he should be here 50 percent of the time. Figure it out, somewhere in between.

"We all think his kid is a great young man. I just felt it should not be every day, that's all. You tell me, where in this country can you bring your child to work every day?




​You know why the blame for this situation falls on the shoulders of White Sox management? It's not because they wanted a clubhouse that was free of children. It's not because it's a ridiculous request to ask an athlete not to bring his child to work every single day. It's because it damn sure ain't Adam LaRoche's fault for deciding to retire instead of explaining to his teenage son that life isn't fair. I can understand why some players wouldn't want kids in the clubhouse, but being a parent is about setting precedents. The White Sox allowed Adam LaRoche and his kid to set the precedent that he was allowed in the locker room everyday, and the last thing a parent wants to do to their child is disappoint them, especially when it's of no fault of their own. As if being a Dad wasn't hard enough without having a employer that asks you to break your kid's heart. Of course Adam LaRoche called it quits. That's way less difficult than having the "...but why?" conversation, and trying to explain to your child that he didn't do anything wrong. If I were Adam LaRoche I would have demanded that the White Sox explain to my son why he can't be in the locker room all the time and maybe I would have stuck it out another year for that extra $11 million, but to each their own. If Ken Williams wants to randomly change a policy - which is exactly what he did - then he should be the one that has to play bad cop, because Adam LaRoche - the guy that just left baseball on behalf of his son - is undoubtedly the good cop in his situation.