For his love to his son, $13M means nothing

THERE is this touching case of a father-son constant togetherness in the clubhouse. It had sparked a debate. Questions arise: When is it time for a father to end his son’s tagging along to the clubhouse, game, that often? Is the child’s presence a distraction to the father? Can a coach split the relationship when he feels it is affecting his player’s performance?

So close is the father to his son that he wouldn’t trade this partnership to anything. Not even his slot to the team.

In the case at bar, the player leaves the team to be with his son, throwing away $13 million in salaries. The Associated Press report: “Told to cut down his son’s time in the clubhouse, Chicago White Sox first baseman Adam LaRoche took a different path: He said he planned to retire and walk away from a $13million salary.

“White Sox President Kenny Williams confirmed that he twice asked LaRoche in the last week to ‘dial it back’ with his 14-year-old son.

“Williams said Drake LaRoche was a ‘quality young kid’ and not a distraction. But he indicated he didn’t want anything to deter the team’s focus this season.”

Said Williams: “Sometimes, you have to make decisions in this world that are unpopular.”

LaRoche, 36, after saying he planned to leave the game, drew support from fellow players.

“Good for you, Roche!” tweeted former teammate Bryce Harper, the reigning National League Most Valuable Player. “Nothing like father and son in the clubhouse. It’s a family game.”

Dad & Son being together in the clubhouse is virtually SOP in US baseball. Ken Griffey Jr., Cal Ripken Jr. and Prince Fielder are among the many stars that grew up that way.

LaRoche, too. He grew up in that setting— his father and brother both played in the majors.

I see Steve Curry often carry his daughter, Riley, when being interviewed on TV after a game. It’s family, you know.

I also see now many PBA players carry their kids while on a TV thing. It’s family, you know.

Why the Chicago White Sox management has a different view on this, I haven’t the faintest idea.

Said Williams: “It’s great to have kids around a team. I just don’t think it’s great every day.”

Oh, well. Is he childless? The AP didn’t say.

Pr i n te d a n d d i s t r i b u te d by P ressReader