Central STL News

With support from Major League Baseball (MLB) and its players, the Taylor Hooton Foundation continues to lead efforts against the use of performance-enhancing substances in sports. The foundation’s advisory board includes at least one representative from each of the 30 MLB teams. Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo are among those participating.

“We are really proud of where we are at as a professional sports league on the performance-enhancing drug and drug testing fronts through our dealings and efforts in conjunction with the Major League Baseball Players Association,” said Jon Coyles, MLB’s senior vice president of drug, health and safety programs. “We’ve really put in a ton of time, energy and focus on getting that issue under control in our sport.”

The Advisory Board, established in 2014 with full endorsement from MLB, is taking part in the foundation’s 2025 public-service campaign called ALL ME. Each board member is featured in a print public service announcement (PSA), created using images from Getty Images, which will be available for team publications throughout the season. These PSAs will also appear during major MLB events such as the All-Star Game, League Championship Series, and World Series.

“It’s super encouraging that not only do you have a player from all 30 teams, but these are guys that have voluntarily stepped forward to be a role model,” said Donald Hooton Jr., Taylor Hooton’s older brother.

The Taylor Hooton Foundation was founded over two decades ago after Taylor Hooton died by suicide following anabolic steroid use at age 17. The organization aims to ensure his story remains visible to raise awareness about the dangers of such substances.

The foundation is holding two fundraising benefits this year: one at Yankee Stadium on Sunday for the 15th Annual Yankees Give a Hoot Benefit, and another scheduled for September 21 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Proceeds will support the foundation’s work.

For Goldschmidt, joining the advisory board was an easy decision. “I've seen other players do it the last few years. I understand that we are role models and it’s something I don’t take lightly. I try to do the right things,” he said. “To have success in this game or any other avenue we choose, the road is always going to be hard. There is going to be a long, hard road. Trying to take shortcuts doesn’t lead to success. … If you do have success, you want to know in your heart that it came the right way. It came through a lot of hard work.”

Brandon McDaniel, Dodgers’ Major League development integration coach, emphasized his pride in supporting safe athletic practices: “What a great honor to spread Taylor’s name throughout the baseball community,” McDaniel said. “At the end of the day, to be able to partner with them, to share great advice on strength and conditioning, nutrition, health -- and doing it in a safe and effective way -- it’s something I’m most proud of.”

Donald Hooton Jr. reflected on what more resources could have meant for his brother: “If there was another organization like the Taylor Hooton Foundation, information that my brother had access to and players that he looked up to, I believe he would be with us today,” Donald said. “There is a bigger hand at work here. I know Taylor is looking down and saying, ‘Although I’m no longer here, my story and legacy is helping impact others.’ I’m almost positive, but it’s going to save a life, whether we know it or not.”