Chicago White Sox first baseman Adam LaRoche shocked the baseball world when he announced he would retire rather than limit the time his son spent in the team's clubhouse.

The 36-year-old first baseman has a long history of bringing his 14-year-old son, Drake, to the clubhouse of every team he's ever played. LaRoche's on-field father-son bonding seemed to be tolerated, but Chicago White Sox president Ken Williams asked his first baseman to ‘dial back’ on the amount of time his son spent with the team.

Instead of complying, LaRoche retired, leaving a guaranteed $13 million contract. An onslaught of support has been sent LaRoche's way. Fellow baseball players and athletes have been expressing their support using the hashtag #FamilyFirst.

White Sox president Ken Williams stated that he was surprised over LaRoche's decision, but ultimately respects it. LaRoche's White Sox teammates, in a sign of solidarity, were planning on boycotting a spring training game versus the Arizona Diamondbacks. White Sox manager Robin Ventura had to plead with the team to play the game.

Though LaRoche has officially signed his retirement papers, the White Sox have not turned the paperwork in to Major League Baseball. The team is hopeful that an agreement can be reached with LaRoche so he can come out of retirement and return to the team.

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(Photo: Erin Hooley/Chicago Tribune/TNS via Getty Images)