The Ballpark Is No Place to Raise a Child

Adam LaRoche's decision to retire from Major League Baseball -- leaving $13 million on the table with the Chicago White Sox -- has spurred discussions about everything from workplace practices to paternity leave to the nature of our interest in athletes' personal lives. But perhaps the most appropriate reaction was summed up by FanGraphs' Jeff Sullivan, who writes: "No One Is Wrong About Adam LaRoche."

LaRoche says he walked away from the game after Ken Williams, the team's executive vice president, asked him to stop bringing his son to the clubhouse so often. In the past, Drake LaRoche has accompanied his father to work nearly every day. By most accounts, he wasn't a distraction or nuisance. Some local news reports postulate that certain players might have complained to the front office, though nobody has specifically come forward. On the contrary, Sports Illustrated's Jay Jaffe reports that some of the White Sox threatened to mutiny in support of the LaRoches by boycotting an exhibition game. Star pitcher Chris Sale was especially vocal, reportedly telling Williams to keep his nose out of clubhouse affairs.