Adam LaRoche Receives Lots Of Support Across Sports For Family-Centered Retirement Decision
(CBS) In the approximately 24 hours since news broke that he chose to retire from the White Sox because the team asked him to dial back the time his 14-year-old son spent in the clubhouse, veteran Adam LaRoche has received plenty of support across the sports landscape and from celebrities.
While the true feelings of White Sox teammates is still somewhat unclear -- publicly, there's been support, but reports indicate privately that some players were glad executive Kenny Williams stepped in -- athletes from the Bulls, Cubs and Bears have expressed support for LaRoche, whose son, Drake, had been around the team "100 percent" of the time this spring, Williams said, and had often tagged along in 2015.
Bulls point guard Derrick Rose's son, P.J., often toys around the United Center court while his father warms up a couple hours before tip-off.
"That's devastating," Rose told the Tribune. "That's someone's kid. What is a 14-year-old going to do to anybody? Steal somebody's socks? Mess with somebody's jockstrap? I mean, be for real. I hope when my son turns 14, I'll be working him out and working on his game."
Bears right guard Kyle Long and Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo -- each considered a team leader -- also had good words for LaRoche. Long is the son of NFL Hall of Famer Howie Long.
With what us baseball players do for a living can never be taken for granted. With that being said family comes before everything!
— Anthony Rizzo (@ARizzo44) March 17, 2016
Retired MLB great Chipper Jones also chimed in, and Nationals star and reigning NL MVP Bryce Harper -- a former teammate of LaRoche's -- was among the first to share his opinion on social media.
Big ups to my boy @e3laroche for standing up for his beliefs. We play a GAME! Good for u brother. #FamilyFirst
— Chipper Jones (@RealCJ10) March 16, 2016
Good for you Roche! Nothing like father and son in the clubhouse..It's a FAMILY game #FamilyFirst
— Bryce Harper (@bryceharper3) March 16, 2016