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Chicago White Sox players considered not playing in Wednesday's spring training game in support of former teammate Adam LaRoche, sources told ESPN's Karl Ravech.
LaRoche abruptly retired Tuesday after team president Ken Williams told the slugger that he had to limit the time his 14-year-old son, Drake, spent with the team.
Sources told Ravech that White Sox manager Robin Ventura intervened and persuaded the players, who were united in support of LaRoche, to play the game against the Milwaukee Brewers.
There likely will be a meeting in the coming days among owner Jerry Reinsdorf, executive vice president Ken Williams and general manager Rick Hahn to go over ground rules for clubhouse access for those in upper management. Sources said there is a division between those in the front office, and Ventura and his players regarding clubhouse access.
LaRoche, 36, walked away from a contract that would have paid him $13 million this season.
Adam LaRoche elected to retire when White Sox president Ken Williams asked LaRoche to "dial back" the amount of time his 14-year-old son, Drake, spent with the club. AP Photo/John Locher
When the reason for LaRoche's retirement became public Wednesday, Williams addressed the issue with reporters and said that kids are still permitted in the White Sox's clubhouse, but they shouldn't be there every day, saying no job would allow that.
"Sometimes you have to make decisions in this world that are unpopular," he said.
The White Sox have always encouraged players to bring their kids into the clubhouse and onto the field, according to Williams. But he said he thought Drake LaRoche was there too much.
Williams said he first talked to LaRoche about cutting back on his son's time in the clubhouse a week ago, then again Sunday.
"There has been no policy change with regard to allowance of kids in the clubhouse, on the field, the back fields during spring training," Williams told Fox Sports. "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.
Instead of trying to compromise with the White Sox on a request to limit his son's time with the team, Adam LaRoche is walking away from $13 million.
"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?"
LaRoche, a first baseman-turned-designated hitter, signed a two-year deal for $25 million with the White Sox a year ago. But he struggled in 2015, batting just .207 with 12 homers. He hadn't played since early this month because of back spasms.
The White Sox, who haven't made the playoffs since 2008, made several moves in the offseason in the hopes of greatly improving their 76-86 record from last year.
According to MLB.com, LaRoche has indeed filled out his retirement paperwork, but the White Sox, in allowing him time to reconsider, have not yet submitted it to Major League Baseball's central office.
"He seemed pretty convicted in his decision," Williams said. "He didn't come back to talk to me about it before he made the decision. I thought there was enough flexibility built in."
_________________
Frank Coztansa wrote:
conns7901 wrote:
Not over yet.
Yes it is.
CDOM wrote:
When this is all over, which is not going to be for a while, Trump will be re-elected President.
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