Despite Praise From Teammates LaRoche Is In The Wrong

Many of you have heard by now the story going around Major League Baseball surrounding the Chicago White Sox organization and their now former first baseman, Adam LaRoche. Earlier this week, LaRoche quit on the organization and essentially retired because White Sox Executive Vice President, Kenny Williams, informed LaRoche that he could no longer bring his son, Drake, to the clubhouse every day. It’s important to note that Williams did notify LaRoche that he could still bring his son to the clubhouse, just not every day, as LaRoche had apparently done the previous season. By foregoing the final year of his contract, LaRoche (36), is leaving $13 million on the table. While the rest of us would faint at the mere thought, LaRoche has made enough throughout his career that he can afford to.

LaRoche did not take to Williams announcement kindly and did what any athlete in today’s game would do to express their disapproval. He went to Twitter. He thanked the Lord for giving him more than he deserved but then hinted the reasoning behind his early retirement by using the hashtag, #FamilyFirst. Family should always come first and LaRoche is right for putting his son first. I think it’s great that LaRoche is a caring, loving father and I don’t think that fans stop and realize how much athletes are away from their families throughout their careers enough but if Williams’ decision to limit kids in the clubhouse is the sole reasoning behind LaRoche’s retirement, then he is the one that is in the wrong. I, myself, do not have kids and I understand that I will never know that bond until I do, but the fact that this story has become about family first shows that the story has steered away from what is really the issue here.

What Williams offered LaRoche was a fair deal. You can bring your kid, just not all the time. I know the majority of the people that I’ve worked with who do have kids would take that deal in a flash. LaRoche came out today announcing that Williams is lying and that he told him he couldn’t bring his son at all to the clubhouse (Deadspin). However, waiting three days after his retirement to make this claim and allow time for the story to become a nationwide topic has me skeptical. Also, I’m sure other players on the team will bring in their kids to the clubhouse from time to time this season. If nothing is said or done to them then I think it will be clear as to who is telling the truth. It must be understood that Williams is looking to change the culture of the White Sox organization and turn the focus back to winning. Last season, the White Sox finished 10 games under .500 and haven’t finished above that mark since 2012. They haven’t been to the postseason since 2008 when they lost the ALDS to Tampa Bay and have become a far cry from the dominant team that won the World Series in 2005. However, somehow this story has taken a turn. Williams and the White Sox are being portrayed as an organization that doesn’t care about family. It’s amazing how things can escalate when an athlete is simply told no. LaRoche’s White Sox teammates considered boycotting a recent spring training game in support of their former first baseman, but manager Robin Ventura was able to convince the team to take the field. Other active and former players have come forward to support LaRoche’s decision to turn his cleats over the discrepancy.

Former player Chipper Jones tweeted his support for LaRoche for standing up for his beliefs and that they simply play a GAME, in all caps, and using the hashtag, #FamilyFirst, like many other players. However, two issues come to mind when I see Jones’ tweet. One, he played under manager Bobby Cox in Atlanta, who NEVER allowed kids in the clubhouse so I wonder what Cox thinks of Chipper’s comments. Two, is his implication that baseball is just a game even at the professional level. I see, so when it’s time to sign that big contract and collect on as many millions as possible it’s a business, but when the boss lays down some ground rules and asks you to do something you might not like then it’s just a game. Many of professional athletes today feel some sense of entitlement and have no clue of how a real business is run. Most parents would love to bring their kids to work but know that the boss will not allow it other than special occasions. Of course don’t tell LaRoche’s teammates that, who are already looking for Williams resignation from the team. In professional sports, players are the true bosses since that’s who the fans come to see, not the management team that actually signs their checks. The moment someone from upper management tells them to do something or disagrees with them, they’re calling for their job and often get their way. If what LaRoche says is true and that Williams lied about kids in the clubhouse altogether, then Williams should be disciplined in some way, but not necessarily lose his job.

What I really don’t like is the example that LaRoche is setting for, not necessarily, his kid but kids across the country. Whether they like it or not, admit it or not, athletes are viewed as heroes to the younger generation. The way they act and what they say reflects on everything they do. What does it say to a young man when they grow up and have a disagreement with their boss at some point? When, not if. Are they going to get in a shouting match like LaRoche did and blurt out a bunch of f-bombs? Good luck with that. Obviously, that doesn’t fly in the general workforce. Your replacement will be interviewed that afternoon.

In a statement issued Friday, LaRoche made the mention that it was a privilege that the White Sox and Washington Nationals (his prior team) had allowed him to bring his son to the clubhouse. That’s exactly what it is though. A privilege, not a right. LaRoche believes that he was put in a position where he had to choose between family or career. That’s only true if Williams told him he couldn’t have his son in the clubhouse at all. In his statement, LaRoche claims he was told that he needed to scale back some and then later on not to bring his son at all. The White Sox are holding onto LaRoche’s contract for a couple days in hopes that LaRoche will change his mind but it looks like he’s made it. I respect Adam LaRoche very much as a player and if his side of the story is accurate, then I completely understand his decision. However, if what Williams and the White Sox organization is saying is true then I have to side with them despite what the players around the league may think. The average working parent would be full of joy at the thought of bringing their child to work. To see LaRoche walk away from it all and essentially $13 million is a tough pill to swallow.

ATTN Dynasty Commissioners: Do you want to do something cool for your league? How about a 1-hour live show dedicated to YOUR league? Team-by-team breakdowns, rankings, and more. For details and to book a show, visit: GoingFor2.com/plp.