Eaton: We wanted LaRoche's son in the clubhouse
Adam LaRoche may not have approval from the front office to bring his son into the clubhouse every day, but he does have the support of his Chicago White Sox teammates.
The 36-year-old decided to step away from baseball on Tuesday after White Sox president Ken Williams asked him to "dial back" bringing his 14-year-old son Drake into the clubhouse every day.
Williams acknowledged the decision was unpopular, but said it was necessary for the team's focus. However, center fielder Adam Eaton said having Drake around the team had never been an issue since LaRoche signed in Chicago last season.
"We wanted Drake in the clubhouse, and we were backing Adam in every aspect," Eaton told Dan Hayes of CSN Chicago. "In that sense we're going to miss him. He chose family over allowing his son to be in the clubhouse and we respect what he had to do.
"The man and the character that Adam LaRoche is, we're not surprised he chose his family. He's a God-fearing man, and you have to respect that. It is what it is, a tough little go at it, but I respect his decision.
"We can say we enjoyed Drake LaRoche in the clubhouse and everything he brought in the clubhouse. He brought perspective. He helped out and around, he wasn't a burden by any stretch of the imagination. He wasn't a big problem last year."
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Williams said he needed to implement a precedent for how much children should be around the clubhouse and the issue had nothing to do with Drake's conduct. Eaton said Drake had been extremely helpful.
"Adam and Drake are probably the most respected people I've ever played with," Eaton said. "Drake would clean cleats, he would help out in drills, he'd help pick up baseballs. He'd pick up baseballs if you needed to hit them. He didn't say boo to anybody. Never a trouble in the clubhouse."
LaRoche is under contract this season for $13 million and would forgo the salary should he opt to retire, though the paperwork has yet to officially be filed.