Athletes support Adam LaRoche’s decision to retire

Bryce Harper, Chipper Jones and Kyle Long tweeted their support of Adam LaRoche’s decision to retire because his son was not welcome in the White Sox clubhouse.

In response to White Sox designated hitter Adam LaRoche’s decision to retire because his son was not welcome in the Chicago clubhouse, several athletes took to Twitter on Wednesday to voice their support of his choice. 

Bryce Harper, who was LaRoche’s teammate when he played for the Nationals between 2011 and 2014, tweeted his backing of LaRoche’s walking away from the game after 12 years, saying, “Nothing like father and son in the clubhouse.”

LaRoche’s 14-year-old son Drake has traveled with his father’s teams for years, but White Sox president Ken Williams balked at his continued presence in the clubhouse and told LaRoche his son should not come with him every day.

Good for you Roche! Nothing like father and son in the clubhouse..It's a FAMILY game #FamilyFirst

— Bryce Harper (@bryceharper3) March 16, 2016

LaRoche, 36, used the hashtag #FamilyFirst on Tuesday in a tweet apparently referencing his retirement, and other athletes followed suit using variations of the phrase.

Thank u Lord for the game of baseball and for giving me way more than I ever deserved!#FamilyFirst

— Adam LaRoche (@e3laroche) March 15, 2016

Happy for @e3laroche and Drake.. Family comes first. Proud to have played along side such a great man/father. #Family #RoleModel

— Adam Eaton (@AdamSpankyEaton) March 17, 2016

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

So much respect. @e3laroche #FamilyFirstAlways

— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) March 16, 2016

I hope I have the same relationship with my future children that Adam LaRoche has with Drake. He is a man of principle. #familyfirst

— Gordon Beckham (@gordonbeckham) March 16, 2016

Even Chicago Bears offensive tackle Kyle Long weighed in, offering LaRoche and his son the opportunity to visit the Bears’ locker room.

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports spoke to Brewers pitcher Blaine Boyer, who called the situation a struggle between good and evil. 

LaRoche’s friend, #Brewers pitcher Blaine Boyer: “He’s an unbelievable father, an unbelievable husband, a friend you can only dream of.”

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 16, 2016

Boyer added: “I honestly think this is between good and evil. I know which side Adam lives on. I’m thankful to see the way he’s acting…

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 16, 2016

“…it’s an unbelievable test of who he is, the husband he is, the father he is.”

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 16, 2016

By choosing to retire, LaRoche walked away from the $13 million he was due to be paid this season, the remainder of the two-year, $25 million contract he signed with the White Sox before the 2015 season.

- Erin Flynn