When the Chicago White Sox decided to ban Adam LaRoche’s son, Drake, from the clubhouse — seemingly out of the blue — and compelled the veteran designated hitter to retire, one teammate that immediately spoke out in protest of the change in rules was pitcher Chris Sale. The left-hander made his displeasure clear to team president Kenny Williams.
The main thrust of Chris Sale's anger with Kenny Williams was that he's not around enough to understand the dynamics of White Sox clubhouse.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 17, 2016
Many White Sox players were also mad enough to consider a boycott of upcoming spring training games in support of LaRoche, but manager Robin Ventura talked them out of doing so. However, the controversy still hasn’t died down in the White Sox clubhouse, thanks in large part to Sale. On Friday, he hung both Adam and Drake LaRoche’s jerseys in his locker, complete with signed notes from father and son.
Chris sale paying tribute to LaRoche family #whitesox pic.twitter.com/iz9pWDioC8
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) March 18, 2016
And when the press asked Sale about the gesture, he made his feelings about the controversy and Williams’ handling of the situation very clear.
Laeoche jersey hanging by Sale's locker, autographed: "To Chris: Thanks for taking care of me. Drake LaRoche"
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) March 18, 2016
Chris Sale: "This isn't us rebelling against rules. This is us rebelling against BS."
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) March 18, 2016
Chris Sale: We got bold faced lied to. #WhiteSox
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) March 18, 2016
Adding fuel to this raging clubhouse fire is Adam Eaton, the MLBPA rep for the White Sox.
Eaton says La Roche told him he did have contractual agreement for son to be in clubhouse.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) March 18, 2016
What that contractual agreement is specifically, we don’t know. Does it mean Drake was allowed in at all times, or only permitted whenever LaRoche wanted him to come in? The situation gets murkier and murkier day by day, though White Sox players are convinced that LaRoche will follow through on his decision to retire even if Williams walks back his decision.
This is a 14-year-old son of a teammate, and Sale is treating it like he’s been personally disgraced. Williams also seems to be on an island with his restrictive policy, as both Ventura and general manager Rick Hahn signed off on LaRoche’s son being in the clubhouse. This entire situation is a mess, and though Sale and Williams are going to meet with team owner Jerry Reinsdorf regarding the controversy, the hard feelings don’t look as if they’ll be getting better any time soon.
