default-cbs-image

Presumed White Sox DH Adam LaRoche decided to abruptly retire from baseball, he told reporters on Tuesday. He has been battling back issues and was coming off a bad year, but it still seemed a bit odd, especially given that retiring meant he was leaving $13 million on the table.

As it turns out, there was more than meets the eye. The issue here is LaRoche bringing his teenage son along with the White Sox.

Here's a picture of Drake and Adam LaRoche:

(USATSI)
(USATSI)

Initial reports indicated that White Sox president Kenny Williams would no longer allow Drake LaRoche to be with the team.

Williams clarified the situation to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports:

"There has been no policy change with regards to allowance of kids in the clubhouse, on the field, the back fields during spring training. 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.

"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?"

Williams doesn't appear to be exaggerating. Note the above picture of LaRoche and his son, from spring training 2015. Those shots are taken during the spring of every player and -- while it's possible there are -- I can't find another example of a player with his son. I look through those every day I'm working, too.

Drake LaRoche also had his own locker:

For those interested in more on the background, the Chicago Tribune had a lengthy feature on this last summer. Of note: 

When the Sox signed designated hitter Adam LaRoche to a two-year contract in November, they also brought on board Drake. Or as Adam calls him, the Sox's "26th man."

Players' children stealing the spotlight at news conferences or teams welcoming kids into clubhouses is nothing new. But Drake's situation is remarkable. He is part of the team, a fixture in the clubhouse, spending days with the Sox at home and on the road.

That second paragraph I've found to be true. I can picture Prince Fielder having his kids at a press conference, Matt Holliday throwing with his kids in the outfield or Koji Uehara's son taking BP in the Fenway Park outfield. I've never heard of a kid basically being part of the team, though. As for the schooling situation, later in the article it mentions that Drake gets weeks of homework from school ahead of time so he can spend road trips with his Dad's team.

This is, obviously, an incredible life experience for the LaRoche family. It seems to have become too excessive for Williams' liking. He's the club president, so it's his choice.

Adam LaRoche appears to be leaving $13 million on the table due to the thought of having this aspect of his career limited and that's his choice as well.