Adam LaRoche retired because White Sox had issues with his son
So why in the world did Adam LaRoche decide to retire and walk away from his $13 million salary in 2016? The reason might make a lot of folks cringe — especially those associated with the Chicago White Sox.
FOX Sports MLB Insider Ken Rosenthal reports LaRoche was unhappy that White Sox President Ken Williams told him he had to limit the time his 14-year-old son, Drake, spent with the team.
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
Rosenthal spoke to Williams, who shared his side of the story:
After the news of his retirement plans spread Tuesday, LaRoche sent this tweet, which features the "FamilyFirst" hashtag:
Thank u Lord for the game of baseball and for giving me way more than I ever deserved!#FamilyFirst
— Adam LaRoche (@e3laroche) March 15, 2016
LaRoche, 36, hit just .207/.293/.340 with 12 homers and 44 RBI in 2015, his first season with the White Sox. Statistically, it was the worst season of his 12-year major-league career.
Late Wednesday night, ESPN's Pedro Gomez reported that LaRoche had signed his retirement papers, effectively ending his career.
Source: LaRoche told #WhiteSox yesterday he would take a “couple of days” before making final decision on retirement.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 16, 2016
LaRoche got plenty of support from his peers:
Good for you Roche! Nothing like father and son in the clubhouse..It's a FAMILY game #FamilyFirst
— Bryce Harper (@Bharper3407) March 16, 2016
LaRoche’s friend, #Brewers pitcher Blaine Boyer: “He’s an unbelievable father, an unbelievable husband, a friend you can only dream of.”
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 16, 2016
"On our side of things, I think everyone would say we enjoyed Drake LaRoche in the clubhouse and everything he brought to the clubhouse," White Sox outfielder Adam Eaton said. "He helped out around and wasn't a burden by any stretch of the imagination. He wasn't a big problem last year, either."
"Adam and Drake are probably the most respected people in baseball I ever played with. Drake would clean cleats, he would help out in drills, pick up baseballs when we needed, he didn't say boo to anybody and was never a trouble in the clubhouse," he said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
