The Adam LaRoche retirement controversy probably isn't over yet, but Chicago White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf says it is.
The chairman released a statement Sunday regarding the issue with the former first baseman. The 80-year-old said that the saga over LaRoche's son is "closed" and that he backs the White Sox management, including team president Kenny Williams, who was the focus of the feud.
LaRoche abruptly retired last week, and it was later reported that his decision was a result of Williams asking the slugger to "dial down" his son's presence in the clubhouse. LaRoche later said that the two sides reached an agreement to have his 14-year-old son, Drake, with him throughout the year, which has been the case for the past six MLB seasons.
It's unknown what spurred William's bizarre request about two weeks before Opening Day, but reports surfaced Saturday that suggested a number of players and personnel complained to Williams about LaRoche's son being around so much.
LaRoche opted to retire after the team reneged on their agreement regarding Drake, and he left $13 million on the table for the 2016 season.
Reinsdorf, who has instructed the organization to not specifically comment on the matter, was finally more revealing on Sunday.
While he respects LaRoche's decision to retire, Reinsdorf said he continues to "have complete faith in the skills and abilities of the leadership group of our baseball operations department in Ken Williams, Rick Hahn and Robin Ventura" and added he doesn't believe there is "anyone to directly blame in this situation."
He believes the situation was more of a result of miscommunication rather than someone not telling the truth, which pitcher Chris Sale accused Williams of doing.
Reinsdorf's statements won't be the end all be all, especially since it's clear there are a lot of aspects of the situation that are not entirely clear, but he at least came forward and spoke after refusing to provide any specifics over the past few days.
He also said that White Sox employees "will no longer discuss this matter publicly."
What we do know is that this whole situation has been an immense distraction for the White Sox as they prepare to face the Oakland Athletics on Opening Day in just two weeks.
