NEW YORK -- With help from Major League Baseball and its players, the Taylor Hooton Foundation is widely recognized as the leader in the advocacy against the use of performance-enhancing substances.
The foundation has an advisory board that has at least one representative from all 30 teams. For example, Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo represent the Yankees and Mets, respectively.
“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.”
As members of the “Advisory Board” -- formed in 2014 and fully endorsed by Major League Baseball -- the players are participating in the THF’s 2025 public-service campaign, ALL ME®. For the campaign, a print PSA featuring each of the Foundation’s “Advisory Board” members has been created -- with images provided by THF national partner, Getty Images -- and will be made available to each player’s respective team for its program/magazine and other team platforms throughout the ’25 season. In addition, ALL ME® themed print PSAs will appear in Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game, League Championship Series and World Series programs.
“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., who is Taylor’s older brother.
The foundation was created more than 20 years ago by Taylor Hooton’s family after he took his own life after using anabolic steroids in 2003. Hooton was only 17 years old. His family is making sure that people don’t forget what happened.
On Sunday, the Yankees will host the 15th Annual Yankees Give a Hoot Benefit in one of their Yankee Stadium suites. The foundation will have another benefit on Sept. 21 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Proceeds from both events will go to the foundation.
For Goldschmidt, being part of the advisory board was a no-brainer.
“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,” Goldschmidt 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, who is the Dodgers’ Major League development integration coach, is excited about the message the foundation is sending out to the baseball world.
“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.”
While he works hard to help others avoid anabolic steroids, Donald Hooton Jr. often wonders what would have happened to Taylor if help was available like it is now.
“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.”