Thank You Adam LaRoche

[AngelsWin.com]

 

By David Saltzer, AngelsWin.com Senior Writer - 

 

Around AngelsWin.com, it’s become a guaranteed response to any salary question: “No one would walk away from the money.” Looking through any of the hundreds of threads discussing the possibility of an aging and struggling player retiring somewhere within it will be such a glib response.

 

I have been one to say unequivocally that under specific conditions that I could and would walk away from the money. However, I rarely post in threads where that might pop up because I’m sure most people wouldn’t believe me. And I don’t want to have the discussion devolve into a yes I would/no you wouldn’t debate.

 

There are plenty of people who believe that no matter what, no one would ever willingly walk away from guaranteed money.

 

Except it just happened. 

 

And, it wasn’t just chicken scratch—we’re talking about $13 million in guaranteed money all because he was told to “dial down” the amount of time his sons spent in the clubhouse. Adam LaRoche just proved that there are things more important to some people than money.

 

Since Adam LaRoche announced his retirement, I’ve seen strong arguments made against LaRoche. Many have agreed with White Sox President Ken Williams who said  â€œYou tell me, where in this country can you bring your child to work everyday?” They have a point, to a certain extent. If LaRoche owned his own business, he could have his son at his work every day. My dad had his own business, and any time I wanted to go there was more than welcome. So, there are some places where that would be possible. Not many, but some.

 

Baseball players aren’t like other employees. Other employees go home at the end of the day and see their families. They can play catch with their sons and daughters. They can read them stories at night. They can tell them that they love them every day throughout the year.

 

Baseball players are on the road 8 months out of the year—and even longer if they make the post season. They are missing out on their biggest jobs in life—being fathers—for the majority of the year. One never gets a “do-over” at parenthood. The consequences for failing at parenthood are substantial. As a high-school teacher, I’ve seen the results of far too many who have failed at it. And, I can tell you, the failures can be even more monstrous when the children are raised with the kind money that professional athletes have.

 

When are baseball players supposed to connect with their children during the season? When their children are waking up to get ready for school, a baseball player is most likely still asleep trying to recover from the previous night’s game. When their children are coming home from school, the baseball players are already working out, hitting in the cages and getting ready for that night’s game. When they are done playing for the day, their kids should be long asleep, as games end too late. Sure, the children can see their fathers on TV, but that is not the same thing as having a real parental relationship. A baseball player’s schedule doesn’t even work out well for phone calls with their children during the season.

 

So, I get why Adam LaRoche wanted to have his son around the clubhouse as much as possible. If that helped him feel connected to his son, and, helped him be a better father, I get it. If the team didn’t want his son around, they should have had a policy in place before he signed a contract with them explicitly stating their desires. Maybe, and probably likely, he would have signed with a different team that would have allowed him to do so. I can understand teams placing reasonable limits on who can be in the clubhouse once batting practice starts. Heck, they kick reporters out at that time, But, to essentially prevent a father from seeing his son for 8 months out of the year is ridiculous, especially if they didn't notify him of that before he signed with the team.

 

In many ways, baseball players like LaRoche are lucky. If they’ve played long enough in the Major Leagues, they most likely have made more than enough so that they can afford to walk away from the game over specific issues. That’s a luxury very few of us can afford and a freedom even fewer of us have.

 

Deep down, I think that those who say they’d never walk away from the money are a bit jealous of those who can afford to do so, or those who willingly did do so. I know far too many people who feel “trapped” in their jobs and believe that they have to keep doing what they are doing because they have to support their family in the lifestyle that they want. They keep grinding on, resenting those who choose otherwise.

 

Personally, I walked away from a career that would have paid me 3 times what I make as a teacher because it would have meant that I would have insane hours away from my family. Being a father meant more to me, even if it meant less money for my family.

 

So thank you Adam LaRoche for showing everyone that there are others out there who are willing to do the same—even when the money involved is more substantial. There are things in life that are more important than money. The next time someone posts that “no one would ever walk away from the money,” I will remind them that you had the guts and the strength of character to do so.

 

Enjoy your retirement.

[Troll Daddy]

It's never over until it's over.

[Angel Oracle]

Kenny Williams isn't endearing himself to many as it is, with the ChiSox being after thoughts for the most part since winning the 2005 WS. 

 

Baseball is different from regular 8am-5pm jobs.

Edited March 18, 2016 by Angel Oracle

[ABC]

Is the mom alive? If so, she's missing quality time.

 

Does his son travel too?

[ABC]

 

 to essentially prevent a father from seeing his son for 8 months out of the year is ridiculous, especially if they didn't notify him of that before he signed with the team.

 

 

 

Why would he not see his son for 8 months? They play half of their games at home.

 

Also, baseball is mostly played during summer when the kid is out of school so it's not like he will miss the hours that pops is at home since he gets in late and sleeps 9 hours.

 

Athletes can also spend most of the offseason 24/7 at home. And once they retire then it is year round. 

[ABC]

At what point does it become selfish of the parent to keep their kid away from the important social skill learning by being around other kids all/half the day? I don't know how much is needed but it is crucial. 

[Troll Daddy]

At what point does it become selfish of the parent to keep their kid away from the important social skill learning by being around other kids all/half the day? I don't know how much is needed but it is crucial.

If you're truly that interested in him ... then I suggest you go to Wikipedia for starters.

[Blarg]

Let's see a spring training roster of about 40 players times 2.5 children per (factoring some aren't father's and one is a Vlad) that's about 100 kids running loose in the clubhouse because daddy has separation anxiety.

[Wallerrrr]

Nice read Dave

[angelinkc]

Both sides acted appropriately. The team certainly has the right to set rules and the player opted to retire. 100% agree with your article and it took courage to write. Obviously your article will be rejected by the mostly liberal California fan base. If his son was gay he would be championed by most of the haters in here.

[Vegas Halo Fan]

The White Sox gave LaRoche's son his own locker in the clubhouse. This at least implies that there was an agreement between him and the club.

[ABC]

Both sides acted appropriately. The team certainly has the right to set rules and the player opted to retire. 100% agree with your article and it took courage to write. Obviously your article will be rejected by the mostly liberal California fan base. If his son was gay he would be championed by most of the haters in here.

 

you got issues

[zenmaster]

Both sides acted appropriately. The team certainly has the right to set rules and the player opted to retire. 100% agree with your article and it took courage to write. Obviously your article will be rejected by the mostly liberal California fan base. If his son was gay he would be championed by most of the haters in here.

 

[RallyPanda]

I'm with the CWS 100% on this.

[gurn67]

Waaaahhh!!! The White Sox paid me $12,000,000 to hit .207 and drive in 44 RBI's. Waaaahhhh!!!!

[Chuck]

I can't believe there are people that believe LaRoche is right in anything but his right to cancel his contract.

The fact that he is cancelling his contract because his employer requested that he behave in a way that 99% of other major leaguers act is stupid. As TrollDaddy said, it's amazing there isn't a woman here telling this dumbshit that his preferences and principles aren't worth $13 mil.

The fact that we have an article on AW applauding him is disturbing to me.

This man is acting like a spoiled brat or a retard. Why would we support either?

Oh for crying out loud Cals, it is an opinion/talking piece to create discussion. Nothing to get butt hurt over.

One opinion does not necessarily mean it's our collective stance amongst several writers, contributors, mods & board of directors that make up AW.com.

[bloodbrother]

Both sides acted appropriately. The team certainly has the right to set rules and the player opted to retire. 100% agree with your article and it took courage to write. Obviously your article will be rejected by the mostly liberal California fan base. If his son was gay he would be championed by most of the haters in here.

 

My god the hot take here is too hot to handle. I like how you had to slip some political agenda into it as well. Nicely played

[Ohtaniland]

So it's back to the trailer down by the river for him and his kid. Home schooled? Home schooled means that that you're at home getting schooled, not traveling from city to city with a MLB team. LaRoche's kid has some issues that haven't been explained.

Edited March 19, 2016 by CALZONE

[Lhalo]

Well on the bright side, this kid probably knows a lot more about pussy and HGH than any other kid on his street.

[Stradling]

So it's back to the trailer down by the river for him and his kid. Home schooled? Home schooled means that that you're at home getting schooled, not traveling from city to city with a MLB team. LaRoche's kid has some issues that haven't been explained.

That's not necessarily true. Also if his kid does have some issues it certainly isn't any of our business. I have no issues whatsoever with what LaRoche did. He's a man of principle. I also have no problem with what the White Sox did, unless of course it was something they agreed upon prior to his signing then I have an issue.

[halomatt]

Sounds like the biggest issue is communication.  Williams should be criticized for his lack of communication and the way he handled this given the preexisting agreement.  I'm also sure that the player deserves criticism for his "all or nothing" approach.  If he was interested in compromise, I'm sure something could be worked out. 

 

It's difficult to truly understand because I am not part of the clubhouse and know nothing of the culture.  I don't believe that I can simply say, "In my job I can or can't ..."  because they are different with different rules and expectations. 

[Lhalo]

Why would the White Sox want to work it out? LaRoche sucks.

[zenmaster]

So Adam would rather retire than have one more year of having his son around 24/7 during home games/stretches and get to see all 162 games in person from awesome seats? I'd be pissed if I was the kid.

[eligrba]

Some fathers do put their family first by working their ass off due to circumstances beyond their control.  I am not referring to people working to provide their family a lifestyle but to provide their family a life and their children an opportunity.

 

Let's not forget that professional athletes do not necessarily reflect reality.

[tomsred]

The only problem I have with any of this is why this became a public issue.  It should have been worked out between Williams and LaRoche privately.  It just isn't a public baseball issue.  So I fault Williams, LaRoche, and the team's public relations department for some pretty poor communications here.  If LaRoche decided to retire because of this issue, it should have been announced that he just decided to retire to spend more time with his family.