Bob Nightengale

USA TODAY Sports

PHOENIX - Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale accused executive vice president Ken Williams of lying to players Friday, and says they have demanded a meeting with chairman Jerry Reinsdorf over the sudden retirement of teammate Adam LaRoche.

“We got bold-faced lied to,’’ said Sale, “by someone we were supposed to trust.

“This isn’t us rebelling against the rules. This is us rebelling against B.S., plain and simple.’’

Sale, who walked into the clubhouse Friday to find autographed jerseys with personal messages inscribed by LaRoche and the first baseman's 14-year-old son, Drake, says players have an issue with only member of the White Sox organization: Williams.

“Somebody walked out of those doors the other day,’’ Sale said, “and it was the wrong guy. Plain and simple.’’

And LaRoche is not coming back.

Adam LaRoche says he, White Sox had agreement, cites rift with Ken Williams for departure

LaRoche’s locker and his son’s locker, complete with the nameplates, still remain in the White Sox clubhouse. Yet, LaRoche told his teammates that he’s not changing his mind and is quitting baseball, White Sox outfielder and union representative Adam Eaton said, walking away from the $13 million remaining in his contract

LaRoche left the team Tuesday after Williams informed him that he must limit Drake's clubhouse access.

In a statement released Friday afternoon, Reinsdorf said: "While we appreciate everyone’s attention and interest, we continue to feel that it would be premature to comment at this time. This is an internal issue and we are in the process of holding a number of discussions with the players, staff and the front office. As a result, we do not want to comment until that process is completed. I have instructed members of the organization not to talk about this issue and get our focus back on the field and winning baseball games."

Said Eaton: "You see the reach a lot of people have made. Adam sees that as God put me into this position to make a decision. I made the decision I made. And it’s sending shock waves through not only the sports world, but so many different media channels.

“I think a lot of people have stepped back and said, 'If a man can step away from $13 million for his family and his son, what does it take for me to spend a little more time with my kid, or take a little more responsibility for my family situation.'’’

The White Sox players have asked for the Major League Baseball Players Association's involvement, with Eaton and Sale each saying that LaRoche had a clause in his contract permitting his son to be with him as much as possible. Yet, it appears it was only a handshake agreement, and there would be no basis for the union to step in and permit LaRoche’s son to continue being with the team.

“The question becomes when a player makes a decision to retire, that means one thing,” union chief Tony Clark said Thursday. “If there is discipline involved, that means something different.’’

The White Sox players say they were hoping to change Williams’ mind during Tuesday's contentious two-hour meeting, but instead, became infuriated, even threatening to boycott Wednesday’s spring-training game.

“Kenny said quite a few things,’’ Sale said, “contradicting statements a couple of times.

"We've been told three different stories, so we don't know who to believe, or even who to believe it originated from. First, he said it was the players (who complained about LaRoche’s son). Then went to the coaches. Then came in here and told us it was the owner. I think if the right person had handled it, it would have been completely different.

“We have a much bigger problem on our hands than Kenny coming in here and kicking out a kid, and 'Roche retiring. That's the unfortunate part of all this. But at the end of the day, it wasn't the right thing.

“We're still missing a teammate, plain and simple. There was no issue before, and we're still trying to find out what the truth is and where it's coming from.’’

Adam LaRoche may not like it, but White Sox request for less Drake is fair

Williams, in a statement, said: “While I disagree with Chris’ assertions today, I certainly have always appreciated his passion.’’

Drake LaRoche, who is home-schooled, has been by his dad’s side for the last five years, a welcome presence in the Washington Nationals' spring training and regular season activities before his father signed a two-year, $26 million contract with the White Sox before the 2015 season.

He was a staple in the clubhouse, complete with his own locker and uniform. He participated in drills with the players, and helped out clubhouse attendants.

“Drake is honestly one of the best kids I've ever met,’’ Sale said. “You can ask anybody, anybody, that's ever played with Adam. I think that's another part of the issue. We're not talking about some guy and his kid. We're talking about Adam LaRoche. Same thing with Drake.

“This kid is wise beyond his years. He's mature beyond his years. And quite honestly, he was a blast to have around. For lack of a better term, he was our team mascot.

“He brought just as much energy to this clubhouse as anybody. And it's a hard pill to swallow for someone outside the clubhouse to tell us what's going to happen. We don't go up to his office and tell him how to do his job.

“I don't see that in return.’’

The White Sox players insist it won’t affect their chemistry inside the clubhouse, and perhaps will even bring them closer together, but concede it’s a huge distraction.

"We were rolling,’’ Sale said. “We had positive energy in here. Nobody saw anything as a distraction until all this happened.

“There was no problem in here. We were a steam engine going ahead. We had some positive energy going. There was absolutely no problem in here whatsoever with anyone. And (Williams) kind of created a problem.

“We're missing two big pieces to our puzzle, plain and simple. I'm not going to sit here and say it's going to be the main reason (if the team struggles), or anything like that, but he's definitely going to be missed, and we're not going to get him back.’’

Sale plans to treasure the jerseys that the LaRoche family left him. He hung them up on each side of his locker, and likely will keep them up during the regular season, too.

Adam LaRoche retires after White Sox ask him to 'dial back' son's time with team

To his left was from Drake: “Chris, thank you for taking care of me.’’

To his right was from Adam: “Thanks for everything. I’ll never forget you.’’

“Would I love to have him back?’’ Sale said. “Absolutely. And I think anybody in here would take him back in a heartbeat. But at the same time you have to respect a man that stands by his word and is not afraid to stand up for what he believes in.’’

The White Sox players hope to have more answers when they meet with Reinsdorf, but no matter what transpires, they realize LaRoche likely played his final baseball game. He already signed his retirement papers, and the White Sox are expected to soon submit them to the league office.

"I think the ultimate goal is to talk to (Reinsdorf),’’ Sale said. “Jerry's a very understanding person, and I think if we can get to him and speak to him and actually have an adult conversation, I think we'll be able to figure things out and iron out all the creases.

“My concern is this team and the well-being of this team. I have a lot of time invested in this team, and the whole blood sweat and tears thing. I want to win. And with the things going on, that's going to be a lot harder to accomplish.

“I think if we're truly trying to win a championship, there's no room for this kind of stuff.’’



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