Adam LaRoche vs. Kenny Williams: The War Within the White Sox

Adam LaRoche has been playing in Major League Baseball now for 12 years and has always been an upstanding guy with good credentials. Earlier this week it was revealed that LaRoche decided to retire because White Sox President Kenny Willliams told LaRoche he had to limit how much he brings his son into the clubhouse. Williams position was solidified by him saying “name one job in the country were you can bring your child to work everyday.” LaRoche walked away from 13 millions dollars citing that his family was more important. Since then players like Chris Sale have confront Kenny Williams while the entire team threatened to boycott because LaRoche is very well liked. It took Manager Robin Ventura to step in and tell his players that they need to play the game despite that bad blood with team executives. I think this all have could been avoided all together if there was some kind of understanding, not just a demand. 

I could see if the White Sox were in the middle of a Division Race and fighting for a playoff spot and having a 14 year old kid around was too distracting. I could also understand if other players in the White Sox organization had a problem with it but they didn’t. Drake LaRoche became apart of the team to the point that they set up a locker for him next his dad. This isn’t the first time Kenny Williams has been in the spotlight for something negative. In 2006, he lashed out against Hall of Fame First Basemen Frank Thomas due to Thomas’ remarks about Williams and White Sox leadership. Thomas always felt insulted that Williams called him an idiot and said that no one in the White Sox organization would miss him. Thomas was also upset that Williams low-balled him on one of his last contracts stating that Thomas’ skills were diminishing. Frank Thomas was a legend during his time as a Chicago White Sox so for Kenny Williams to treat anyone any better would be a surprise. To my knowledge Major League Baseball doesn’t have any rules or regulations about who can be in the clubhouse and who can’t be. If there are no rules and regulations against bringing your kid to the clubhouse then Williams should have left it alone and let Adam LaRoche spend quality time with his son Drake while playing the game he loves.

More times then I care to count we see athletes not being responsible, not being a good role-model and not doing right by family and friends.I applaud Adam LaRoche for wanting his son to spend time with him. Athletes do sacrifice a lot of time they could spend with their families and if LaRoche made arrangements to spend time with his son then people should be happy for them. I really hope that another team picks up LaRoche and doesn’t give him grief about letting his son hangout with him. I also hope that White Sox players continue to voice their frustration and take a stand on LaRoche’s behalf. Chris Sale was already very vocal in telling Kenny Williams to get out of the locker-room and stay out. This whole thing could completely come back to haunt Kenny Williams especially if LaRoche is allowed to file a grievance against Williams and the White Sox. Both sides are standing firm and haven’t budged on the situation. I have a feeling that this story is far from over. Keep checking back on the Hollywood’s World of Sports Facebook Page for more updates on this story.