As you surely know by now, Adam LaRoche abruptly retired earlier this week after the White Sox told him his 14-year-old son Drake was no longer allowed to be in the clubhouse. LaRoche called it a "fundamental disagreement" with team president Kenny Williams.

White Sox players are not happy that the LaRoches are gone. Chris Sale called Williams a "bold-faced liar" and hung Adam and Drake LaRoche jerseys in his locker Friday. Then, on Saturday, Adam Eaton called Drake a leader in the clubhouse.

The worst part of all of this is that a 14-year-old kid is stuck in the middle of such bitterness between the players and management. Hopefully Eaton is just trying to make Drake feel better about things because no MLB team should consider a 14-year-old a team leader.

Adam LaRoche was an extremely popular player, and by all accounts, his son Drake was popular as well. I have no doubt White Sox players will miss having him around. They'll have to fill the leadership void some other way now.

Adam Eaton called 14-year-old Drake LaRoche a 'leader.'
Adam Eaton called 14-year-old Drake LaRoche a 'leader.' (USATSI)