Adam LaRoche retires

[Squirrel]

Guys at work are talking about Morneau ... 

[Vanimal46]

I would be less than thrilled if my coworkers brought their kids to work every day. Somebody would be asked to leave.

One of my coworkers attempted to hide the fact he was bringing his kid to work by sneaking him in the back door, and sticking him under his desk. Guy got away with it for about 2 weeks until his kid started walking around and eating people's snacks in the kitchen.. Needless to say there was a company wide meeting to inform people that kids should not be present in the office unless it's an emergency... something I thought was common sense.

[Vanimal46]

I'm with the White Sox 100% on this issue. Are there times when children are welcomed at the work place? Of course. If there's a work related event, family day, whatever. Your employer, however, is not a free daycare service. They are 100% in the right to try and put a stop to it.

[Pardon My Dinger]

 

Edit - I forgot to ask if Ricky Nolasco's son hangs around the Twins clubhouse much.

Pretty sure most would agree ricky, himself hangs out too much around those parts, so...

[gil4]

 

Not sure if anyone saw this, but interesting.  I can honestly see this from both sides and certainly have to say good on LaRoche for sticking up for his son.  

 

http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/adam-laroche-retiring-son-chicago-white-sox-ken-williams-drake-laroche-whats-going-on-031616 

 

My guess is the son would have been much less of a problem if dad hadn't hit .207 last year. 

[Mike Sixel]

Ya, there is no way they can let 1 player bring his son to work every day. It's just not appropriate.

 

If he really quit because he wants to see his kids grow up, good for him. I remember just a month ago saying Mauer might want to do that, and people saying no one would ever give up millions to do that......

[Vanimal46]

Before we crown LaRoche as father of the year, let's also look at the other side of the coin here. 

Long ago, LaRoche prioritized bringing Drake with him over traditional schooling. He goes to class in winter. In Viera, he brings schoolwork with him and sees a private tutor at a Sylvan Learning Center. They live in a small Kansas town, and LaRoche arranged Drake’s education with the public school. LaRoche said Drake’s school is fine so long as Drake passes standardized tests.

“We’re not big on school,” LaRoche said. “I told my wife, ‘He’s going to learn a lot more useful information in the clubhouse than he will in the classroom, as far as life lessons.’ ”

Source

 

Look, it's his kid, he can raise him how he wants. At the end of the day, he's pigeon-holing his kid on future advancement. Doesn't sound like he makes homework or schooling in general a high priority. Instead spending time in the clubhouse is a much higher priority. I don't know how that kid 1 - ever had a childhood and made friends his own age 2 - ever gets accepted into a college/technical school, whatever he chooses to do. 

The reality today is that a Bachelor's degree is the equivalent of a high school diploma in the past. If you don't have it, your job prospects are few are far between. 

[woolywoolhouse]

White Sox players were apparently going to boycott today's game in support of LaRoche... but manager Robin Ventura talked them out of it.

 

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/14993803/chicago-white-sox-players-considered-boycott-support-adam-laroche

[Willihammer]

Regardless of the son issue, this is a big win for the Sox. Money saved, roster spot freed up, unproductive veteran - gone.

 

Sounds like the plan could be to move Abreu to 1B full time, Garcia into the DH spot where he can focus on hitting and not expose his defense.

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/how-the-white-sox-could-win-the-pennant/

 

Its a little eery how closely the whole situation resembles the Mauer-Park-Arcia logjam for the Twins actually.

[TheLeviathan]

 

Its a little eery how closely the whole situation resembles the Mauer-Park-Arcia logjam for the Twins actually.

 

So what I'm hearing is that we need a no side burns rule?

[Han Joelo]

This new development changes things for me.  Cynically, I have to agree with what Ken Rosenthal said in his column about this--If Laroche was coming off an All-Star type season, Kenny Williams wouldn't have ever brought this up.  Sounds like a cowardly way to save $13 million bucks.  Talk about creating a clubhouse cancer.

 

My personal opinion--it's not really fair to generalize the term "workplace." Laroche isn't hiding a kid under his desk--he's bringing him to work to learn how adults go about the business of working.

 

I grew up on a farm.  When I was 14 I was expected to do a man's work, and my Dad treated me accordingly.  I feel bad for kids today, and worry for my own, when I consider how few opportunities for meaningful life/work experience young adults have.  If it were my 14 year old, I wouldn't have any problem with him hearing anything that goes on in a locker room--and we'd be able to talk about the things he'd seen and heard later, unlike whatever he might have heard in his junior high locker room.

 

For crying out loud, Miguel Sano was barely two years older than Drake when he signed a multi-million dollar contract.  Do you think anybody was curbing their language or stories on his behalf?

 

As far as precedent setting, Williams just looks weak.  Rules are for fools.  Laroche sounds like a highly respected veteran and Drake sounds like a really good kid.  If this situation were to ever arise again, it could be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.  Yeah, Williams might actually have to say: "You are an a-hole and your kid is a little jerk," instead of just shrugging his shoulders and pointing at the rules.  That is what vice-presidents have to do.

 

As far as school…I am a teacher.  I have mixed feelings about home schooling, but in this case, Drake is getting experience that far outweighs whatever he might be missing.  Academically, I have no doubt, with his Dad's $70 million dollars at his disposal, that he will be able to pass any sort of test required to get a diploma.  Below that one line on his resume, the one almost everyone else can automatically fill out as well, he'll have a little bit more to put on his resume then "mowed lawns and worked at the Tasti-Freeze."

 

Reminds me of this guy I guided on a river trip once.  His dad had owned the Yankees right before Steinbrenner.  He didn't seem all that bitter that his family had sold the team for $10 Million dollars and it was now worth $2 billion.  Instead, he remembered all these great stories about hanging out at Yankee Stadium as a kid.  Telling his high school coach, "But Mick said my swing was just fine."  Hearing Yogi stories.  

 

In another 4 years, Adam and Drake will have spent over 90% of all the time together they'll experience in this life.  I applaud Adam for trying to maximize that time.

[Squirrel]

I'm sorry, but in the end, it should be what's best for the team and not what's best for Adam LaRoche and his son. If he wants to quit over that, that's his choice based on his priorities. And if Williams wants to let him quit because it's better for the Sox over all, then so be it. It's a business and the Sox do not need to run their business with consideration to a 14 yr olds life education. And if teammates are uncomfortable going about their business and speaking their minds in the clubhouse or wherever because someone's kid is around, I think that should trump any personal arguments LaRoche has for his son being with him 100% of the time. It's not about what kind of life lessons Drake will learn in the locker room, it's about how players feel having him around. If they are uncomfortable with that, then LaRoche is not a good teammate to not consider that. Yes, I get why he would choose his son over the team, and he's done that. His choice, good for him. But I don't think the White Sox are the 'bad guys' here one iota.

[COtwin]

Sick of Professional Athletes Using the "It's Business" argument for why they want huge contracts that will outlast their ability to perform.  Looking at Bryce not wanting to by under sold at $500,000,000.00 on his next contract or Bautista demanding huge money through 40 years old.  Harper just came out and said, "Good for you Roche! Nothing like father and son in the clubhouse..It's a FAMILY game #FamilyFirst"

 

So which is it?  Business or Family?  Are you just playing a game?  I get that some/most owners are making a ton and the player should share in that.  But what all of these people forget, is that we, the fans are why they even get to do any of this.  We pay obscene amounts for tickets and concessions, for jerseys and premium sports packages.  If they want to go "full business" than a lot of people like me really will stop seeing this as a family game and start looking at MLB like I do the NBA.  A bunch of unloyal, spoiled children making more than anyone reading this will make in their lives, combined.

 

This could all be about a back handed way of cutting salary, and if it is, than that is low.  But.  If Laroche really is quitting over being limited on how often his son can come to the club house then that is pathetic.  Even limited, his son is getting an amazing experience and his father is still making a ton of money.  And these guys are paid to win games for us, the fans, ultimately.  Williams, made some very flattering statements about Drake, he also said he wants the Sox to take their jobs seriously.

 

Is there anyone here who can quit their job because their boss won't let them bring their child everyday?  Most of us don't have that luxury, so I don't want to hear about the millionaire "Hero" fighting against the evils of having to focus on his job.  

 

Hero's are people who have a rough day, or year working a job that barely pays a living wage, and then go home and treat their family as if work didn't suck the life out of them.  Those are the ones I look up to.

 

Don't get my wrong, I still love sports,

Just wish those people I used to look up to would actually have some perspective on how blessed they are.

 

[Craig Arko]

Sounds to me like people establishing priorities and then making choices based on those priorities.

 

Isn't that how it's supposed to work?

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

This new development changes things for me.  Cynically, I have to agree with what Ken Rosenthal said in his column about this--If Laroche was coming off an All-Star type season, Kenny Williams wouldn't have ever brought this up.  Sounds like a cowardly way to save $13 million bucks.

That presumes Kenny Williams knew that LaRoche would retire (and give up $13 mil) when faced with this request.  They were quite likely as surprised by that decision as the rest of us.

 

And I agree that LaRoche's performance is relevant -- but he's coming off the worst full season of his career, with persistent injury concerns.  In light of that, it's quite likely the team wanted LaRoche to focus more on his health and game this year, and lessening his unusual chaperone responsibilities seemed a logical way to address that.

[Musk21]

I completely agree with Kenny Williams' decision on this. It's about setting precedence for future players. You let Drake LaRoche be a "26th man" and where does it stop? Are they going to let any or all other players' kids do the same? Seems the players have LaRoche's back on this, but would any of them really feel comfortable to speak out against it?

 

I think the Red Sox had it right when they decided in 2014 to limit on field access for children. Set up a family room for families and concentrate on your job.

 

http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/adam-laroche-drake-chicago-white-sox-bringing-kids-to-work-a-big-issue-in-baseball-031716

[nicksaviking]

 

 

“We’re not big on school,” LaRoche said. “I told my wife, ‘He’s going to learn a lot more useful information in the clubhouse than he will in the classroom, as far as life lessons.’ ”
 

 

Right, and quality stuff that kid will learn, especially if it's anything like most locker rooms:

 

http://www.si.com/mlb/2016/03/16/st-louis-cardinals-tyler-dunnington-quit-homophobic-comments

 

Just about every positive thing you could learn in a MLB locker room can be learned in a HS locker room. However there at least seems to be a concerted effort to teach the younger generations that the bad things that take place in locker rooms are something to be ashamed of, i.e. hazing, homophobia, exclusiveness, bullying, feelings of entitlement.

 

 

[Vanimal46]

Guys, how did we all forget about this? Kids have been on Chicago baseball teams before..... Too bad Drake LaRoche didn't break his arm in the past to gain a rocket arm! 

http://cdn1.bloguin.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/110/2015/10/henry-rowengartner.jpg

[mnfireman]

For what it's worth, I applaud Mr. LaRoche for his decision. I was able to coach my children in all sports since they were little, something his career would not allow him to do. A baseball season is very long (February to November), which means family time is limited, so time together is time together. 

 

At the same time I can see the White Sox point, a kid can be a big distraction. But a 14 year old is not a 4 year old (Dusty Baker), and the players did not have a problem with it. I could not bring my children to work (except when I coached them), but I was not a professional baseball player.

 

One final statement about this situation; family situations can change quickly. I lost my youngest son 2 1/2 years ago when he was 16 (I am not looking for sympathy, just stating a fact) and wish nothing more than to be able to spend more time with him. Cudo's to Adam LaRoche for not taking for granted the time to spend with his family, it is precious and can disappear in the blink of an eye.

[Otto von Ballpark]

I have nothing against LaRoche's desire to retire if he wants to be with his family.

 

He could have brought his family on the road with him though, as I understand Blaine Boyer does, without insisting his son be with the team full-time.

[Han Joelo]

It's hard to speak to this situation exactly, without knowing every last detail.  Still, generally speaking I don't see any reason a 14 year old young man couldn't apprentice with his father.  Wasn't long ago that would be the norm.  If I was Kenny Williams, I'd of found a real, actual job for that kid--probably start him off on latrine duty, and see how sincere he is about earning a locker spot.  Maybe that was even the case, and they wouldn't go for it or find some other compromise.  Too bad.

 

 

[TheLeviathan]

Boy, the more this story unravels the more Adam Laroche seems like a strange dude with some strange ideas.

[Jham]

I feel like the kid is going to feel like he was the reason his dad retired, and cost his family $13 million...  I'd be like, "Love you dad, you made your point, I want to drive a 'vette to prom.  Don't retire because of me."

[Squirrel]

 

It's hard to speak to this situation exactly, without knowing every last detail.  Still, generally speaking I don't see any reason a 14 year old young man couldn't apprentice with his father.  Wasn't long ago that would be the norm.  If I was Kenny Williams, I'd of found a real, actual job for that kid--probably start him off on latrine duty, and see how sincere he is about earning a locker spot.  Maybe that was even the case, and they wouldn't go for it or find some other compromise.  Too bad.

I don't think that was the issue, though. He did help out with jobs, i.e. cleaning cleats. The issue was 100% of the time, and how do you handle that when others on the team come in with these same requests? It was to the point for the Sox that they needed to draw the line for future precedence. It was a business decision, best for the team, and they were surprised that LaRoche took the 'all or nothing' stance. I don't think either party here is 'wrong' in their choices. But I think the Sox made an appropriate decision (which wasn't 'not at all,' btw) which was best for the team and LaRoche made a decision that was best for him personally. To me, that's it. There's really no issue here.

[Vanimal46]

This story is getting more nutty by the day. Chris Sale is livid about the decision not to allow Drake LaRoche in the clubhouse all the time, and there's a big divide on that team for this issue. I wish I could fly to Vegas right now and bet 6 months rent on the under wins total. 

Tweets relating to Sale:

 

From Bill Shaikin:

 

"Chris Sale said Ken Williams told "bald-faced lie," variously blamed teammtes, coaches and management for change in Drake La Roche's access."

From Daryl Van Schouwen, White Sox Beat Writer:

 

"Sale: 'Right person would have been handled different. This isn’t us rebelling against rules, it’s us rebelling against BS. Plain and simple'"

"Sale: 'We were a steam engine going ahead and kind of derailed it. There was absolutely no problem in here & [KW] kind of created a problem'"

According to outfielder Adam Eaton, the MLBPA will get involved, because LaRoche’s contract included a clause for Drake’s presence in the clubhouse. 

Source: http://deadspin.com/chris-sale-is-really-mad-that-the-white-sox-wont-let-a-1765711606

[Mike Sixel]

Who writes a contract saying a child can be in a workplace full time? Seriously?

 

That's a stupid, stupid, idea.

[Vanimal46]

It's absolutely mind.boggling. why someone would do that. But if that's really the case, then there's a little more legitimacy in what LaRoche is doing. 

I have no idea how this came about, but I have a couple of theories why the White Sox decided to go this route:

- Several players came to complain about Drake LaRoche being in the locker room all the time, and Kenny Williams is taking the blame for the players that did complain. 

 

- Several players wanted their kids inside the clubhouse as well, and they realized the hypocrisy of allowing 1 player to do it, and others can't.

- This is the most brilliant way to rid your organization of an albatross contract of all-time. 

Not sure what's the real cause of this. 

[Squirrel]

Talking to a few Sox fans around here, most are rolling their eyes and saying 'Good riddance' to LaRoche. I'm not sure it was a written clause in LaRoche's contract ... I thought it was a hand-shake side agreement LaRoche made with Ventura, but that makes it interesting if it was an actual, written clause in his contract. How stupid to agree to something like that ... I mean, I couldn't imagine any management agreeing to that and having it put into writing.  And I'm not sure at the time if it was understood it meant 100% of the time. Most here are guessing that some players didn't like it and that's why Williams has responded now to it rather than during the off-season. And Chris Sale doesn't really care about the kid, but rather is mad at Williams 'sticking his nose' into clubhouse business. Well, good. Maybe he'll be so mad he'll want a trade ... how about Nolasco for Sale straight up?

[nicksaviking]

Now I'm dreaming about Chris Sale demanding a trade out of the division.

 

Or how about: Nolasco for Sale? Both seem like change of scenery-type guys now.

[Mike Sixel]

Hey, not sure anyone has thought about this, but how about Sale for Nolasco?