Family first! Chicago White Sox player Adam LaRoche announced his retirement in March after the team’s management told him to “dial back” then completely eliminate the time his 14-year-old son, Drake, was spending in the team clubhouse. He recently opened up to ESPN The Magazine about his decision to forfeit his $13 million salary this season to spend time with his family.
“I never took it for granted,” he told the publication of his opportunity to play a game he loves, make money and have his son by his side. “I was pinching myself all the time, wondering, ‘What did I do to deserve this?’ And I always knew it could get shut down at any point. You could have a manager who just flat doesn’t like it. … There’s a chance we could have other guys see Drake and think, ‘I’ll bring my kid too.’ Obviously we can’t turn this into a day care. I get it.”
The teen began to accompany his father to spring training in 2011 when LaRoche played for the Nationals, according to ESPN. He soon had a near-constant presence at the ballpark and would shine shoes and pick up baseballs after drills. Drake and his sister, Montana, 12, attend a public school in Fort Scott, Kansas, that allows them to do their work electronically; however, next fall Drake will start high school with mandatory attendance. “I had an idea this might be my last year,” LaRoche told the magazine. “I knew this was probably our last opportunity to share time together at the field and do what we’ve always done.”
“I’m not saying this is the way everybody should raise their kid,” the first baseman and designated hitter continued. “I’m saying I was given the privilege to raise my kid this way by some awesome teams and managers and GMs … I feel like I’ve spent as much time with Drake as you can, and if he were to die tomorrow, I guarantee you I’d be looking back and saying I wish I spent more time with him.”
His White Sox teammates were angry when they learned why he was quitting, and LaRoche garnered an overwhelming amount of support. Some even accused management of lying to the players, and the team reportedly considered boycotting a spring training game last month over the issue.
LaRoche, like Drake, also grew up around the ballpark because his father, former MLB pitcher Dave LaRoche, worked as a coach for the White Sox and Mets. The 15-season veteran believes his lack of home runs in 2015 could have been a factor in the decision to ban Drake from practices. “I sucked last year, and the team sucked, “ he said of his poor play.
The MLB star also revealed that he was partly motivated to walk away from baseball after doing undercover work in Southeast Asia to rescue underage sex slaves with fellow baseball player and close friend Blaine Boyer, ESPN The Magazine reported. “Something huge happened there for us. You can’t explain it. Can’t put your finger on it … What are we doing?” LaRoche asked Boyer, according to ESPN. “We’re going back to play a game for the next eight months?”
Since he retired, LaRoche has no shortage of plans, including an RV road trip with his family through the Western U.S. and Canada. He has several other ventures to keep himself busy as co-owner of E3 Ranch, a meat company that ships beef across the country, and two restaurants. The baseball player also stars in hunting TV show Buck Commander with Duck Dynasty’s Willie Robertson and country stars Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean.
