Views from the Sox (Get it? Because LaRoche’s Son is named Drake?)
The last thing the White Sox needed was an internal conflict that can cause problems in an otherwise happy clubhouse. Yesterday, I got an update on my phone in the middle of the day that Adam LaRoche is retiring. I immediately jumped for joy. But, when I thought about it more, I realized how odd the timing was and how abrupt the decision seemed to be. I saw some tweets today about how there was more to the story. It turns out that Kenny Williams (as you know, I am not his biggest fan) came up to Adam LaRoche last Sunday and had a discussion about bringing his 14 year old son to the clubhouse every day. I knew that Drake LaRoche spent a lot of time with the players and heard he was a great kid, but I never did understand how this was allowed. Apparently, last Wednesday, Williams mentioned this again to LaRoche that he needed to dial back on bringing his son in the clubhouse. This exchange supposedly got a little heated. Even though the players, especially Adam Eaton, backed LaRoche, Williams did not question the kid’s behavior or LaRoche’s character by any means, or so he says. This is a very tough decision, but LaRoche put Williams in that difficult place. When you have Kenny’s position and responsibilities, you have to make some difficult decisions. He did that here.
After announcing his retirement, LaRoche tweeted “Thank u Lord for the game of baseball and for giving me way more than I ever deserve! #FamilyFirst”. Let’s take a step back for a second. No matter how much people don’t like hearing it, baseball is his job. You don’t see parents bringing their children around work everyday because it could be distracting. However, baseball is not a normal job. You are on the road a lot, so I commend Adam for putting his kid first in his life. He wants to be a father for him. It is refreshing to see someone be a role model like that. On the other hand, you should respect that Kenny Williams is the VP of an underperforming MLB organization and is looking for any sort of fix he can provide to promote winning for the White Sox. I do think that his approach was wrong, though. If it was a rule to have a family friendly clubhouse but not create a daycare-like atmosphere all along, why wasn’t this reiterated BEFORE the season, instead of 3 weeks before regular season play? The timing was poor, and Kenny will have to deal with that. He has made some bonehead decisions in the past, but I hope this doesn’t redirect the positive atmosphere the Sox have been displaying all spring training. I am also sure that players with children really sympathize with Adam because they know what it’s like to be on the road for 80+ games per season plus spring training. Now, Williams will have to deal with the repercussions of his poor timing if the Sox can’t pull it together in time. By the way, they’re losing their game to the Brewers in spring training while I write this.
One other thing, where was Robin Ventura all along on this? Did he disagree with Kenny, or did he just not have the baguettes to confront LaRoche about not respecting clubhouse rules? A lot of management positions for professional sports is controlling egos. Ventura got a little to lenient with LaRoche because he’s the old man with a son, but that just set up Williams to have to make a very difficult decision. I haven’t heard much from Rick Hahn’s front. LaRoche handed in his retirement papers, but the Sox gave him a couple more days to contemplate if he actually wants to do this. As a fan, I liked LaRoche’s personality. He seemed like a very humble guy who had a very rough 2015. Then again, he batted .207 with 12 homers, and he was only taking up space.
Once his retirement is official, this could give more opportunity for Avi Garcia to prove his worth. Rick Hahn is looking internally first for another option at first base and DH, but he could sign someone from outside. There is still a little speculation around Reds right fielder, Jay Bruce. I don’t want this and have said this before. I heard Justin Morneau’s name tossed in the ring. I would love him in a Sox uniform because that is a very solid name to still be left out there this late in the game. Otherwise, as Lil’ Dickey said “Save Dat Money” (for the trade deadline). Another name I heard was Hanley Ramirez, but the Red Sox would have to pay a huge chunk of his salary in order for him to come to Chicago. It will be interesting to see how this whole situation plays out.
