Yankees GM Brian Cashman says the team controls clubhouse

TAMPA – Brian Cashman has never had to deal with a situation like the one Kenny Williams and the White Sox are going through following the sudden retirement of Adam LaRoche.

But should players ever try to rise up and argue that they should have the final say over who is or isn’t allowed inside the clubhouse, Cashman made it pretty clear who calls those shots.

“The entire facility is our facility and we control it,” Cashman said. “We control the rules governing that facility. So, that’s the policy.

We provide some latitudes because we try to create a good working environment for our people as well as an opportunity at times for a family to intermix, but it’s a workplace.

“And there’s definitely no part of a workplace that is owned by players, above the company. Including clubhouse. That is the New York Yankees clubhouse, the New York Yankees training room, the New York Yankees dugout, the New York Yankees field and we dictate access. And we’re always trying to have a real secure spot and create harmony and happiness and all that stuff, too.

“It’s not an issue that we have to deal with here.”

LaRoche’s decision to retire and leave $ 13 million on the table came after the White Sox apparently asked him to scale back the amount of time he brings his 14-year-old son, Drake, with him to the ballpark.

The Yankees’ policy is written into the team’s rules, which essentially allow players to bring their sons into the clubhouse after games, win or lose. Players may also bring their kids to the ballpark earlier in the day, though they must be cleared out before the team hits the field for batting practice.

“The big thing to me is, guys have to be ready to do their work and ready to play the game,” manager Joe Girardi said. “Before that, their time is theirs. If they want their kids out here, you know, I’m okay with it. But when it’s time to go to work, its time to go to work.”

Girardi told the Daily News earlier this week that there is a consideration for adding some days specifically designed for players’ daughters, as well. He said he has never heard a complaint from a player or coach about children becoming a problem in the clubhouse.

“I think you have to be mindful of that,” Girardi said. “I’ve never really run into that, where a guy has said that, ‘Oh, this child or that child is a distraction.’ I’ve never been around that.

“I think our guys like seeing other people’s kids; you see them grow from one year to the next. … It’s fun to watch.”

CC Sabathia is one of the only players with a son older than 10, and although he has brought “Little C” into the clubhouse often over the years, his son has been taught to respect boundaries.

“(Little C) been around long enough to know not to mess with guys,” Sabathia said. “He kind of sticks in my area.”

Sabathia said he can relate to LaRoche’s disappointment, though Girardi’s family-friendly attitude has made it a non-issue.

“Joe is always family-first, so it’s a blessing that way to have a manager that wants you to have your family around,” Sabathia said. “It would be terrible if you couldn’t bring your kid in. It’s kind of part of baseball, the culture. Kids grow up in the clubhouse.”

Girardi’s 14-year-old son, Dante, has been at Steinbrenner Field for the past few days, though that’s hardly anything new. Girardi frequently brings Dante to the park with him during the year, though he doesn’t get in anyone’s way while he’s there.

“Think about it; you go on the road, you don’t see him,” Girardi said. “During the school year, what do I see him, an hour a day maybe? And that’s getting up at 7:00 in the morning with him and there are days when you get home at 4:00 in the morning because of a road trip and you still get up. But it’s important.

“My first responsibility is my family. I know this is a big responsibility when I signed on, I’ve got to take care of my responsibilities here, but I also have to be a husband and a father, too.”

Cashman noted that there are insurance issues that go along with allowing others into off-limit areas such as the clubhouse.

“If you’re not employed and you’re not entering as a ticketed fan and you’re in secure areas where there’s no coverage for you if an injury occurs or something else happens, there’s a lot of liability running around that,” Cashman said. “Anybody that runs a workplace environment would understand that.”

Cashman recalled his time as a Yankees intern back in 1986, when Ken Griffey Sr. was playing in pinstripes.

“I remember Ken Griffey Jr. complaining and the Boss chasing Junior out,” Cashman said. Told it may have actually been Billy Martin who ordered the future Hall of Famer out of the clubhouse, Cashman smiled. “Probably because the Boss told him to.”

While the White Sox situation continues to play out, Cashman feels confident that he won’t be confronted with a similar issue any time soon.

“It’s not something I anticipate ever having to deal with – and I don’t think most teams have to deal with it,” Cashman said. “I think whatever is happening in Chicago with the White Sox is a very unique circumstance that I would think most teams have never had to deal with.” 

Baseball – NY Daily News

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