Over the past couple weeks, there has been controversy and reports surrounding Major League Baseball first baseman/designated hitter Adam LaRoche and the organization who signed him in the off-season, the Chicago White Sox, over a matter of family. The White Sox wanted LaRoche to limit the times spent with his 14-year-old son while LaRoche desired to step away from the game he loves to give more attention to his son. So far, this situation has become a see-saw--support the White Sox, or support LaRoche. Here is what Adam said in an article from the NY Times: “Of one thing I am certain: we will regret NOT spending enough time with our kids, not the other way around,” he wrote, adding later, “This was likely to be the last year of my career, and there’s no way I was going to spend it without my son”(nytimes.com, 2016). Spoken like a true father.

I can’t understand why the organization would try and limit father-son bonding time. But this is not the first time someone or something has prevented a big-name athlete from spending time with his family. An excellent example of this is from the movie “Rocky V.” In this film, Sylvester Stallone, as “retired” boxer Rocky Balboa, is approached by boxing promoters to come out of retirement and fight again. Balboa’s wife, Adrian, urges the champ to not give in and focus on their son. Giving in to the demands of an employer is not ethical, nor is it proper. Adam LaRoche did the right thing, in my view. Having been away from his son for the majority of his big-league career now is the time for LaRoche to settle down and enjoy life with his family to the fullest.

The White Sox will pay the price for interfering in the life of a baseball player, particularly one who came close to joining them. The franchise has not been to the playoffs since Robin Ventura became the manager, and hasn’t won a championship since 2005. After this latest drama, this drought will continue. I picked Chicago to finish last in the AL Central division.

References:

Kepner, T. (2016). For Adam LaRoche, Blood Proves Thicker Than Infield Dirt. Retrieved March 24, 2016, from http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/19/sports/baseball/...