Pirates’ right-hander joins seven others in helping to educate young people about the dangers of appearance and performance enhancing drugs

McKinney, TX (March 9, 2014) – The Taylor Hooton Foundation announced today that Mark Melancon of the Pittsburgh Pirates has joined its new “Advisory Board” made up exclusively of active players from throughout Major League Baseball. The Hooton Foundation is widely acknowledged as the leader in the advocacy against appearance and performance enhancing drug use by the youth of America. The Pirates right-hander joins seven other charter members of the “Advisory Board,” which also includes Jay Bruce (Cincinnati Reds), David DeJesus (Tampa Bay Rays), Dillon Gee (New York Mets), Clayton Kershaw (Los Angeles Dodgers), Max Scherzer (Detroit Tigers), C.J. Wilson (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim) and Brad Ziegler (Arizona Diamondbacks). Additional members of the “Advisory Board” will be announced throughout the 2014 season. “Words cannot describe my emotions as we partner with these incredible athletes and role models,” said Taylor Hooton Foundation president Don Hooton. “These young men have stepped up to make a difference with America’s youth by becoming visible role models, examples of outstanding athletes who work hard and compete fairly. Their participation in our initiatives will be invaluable.” As members of the “Advisory Board,” the players will participate in the THF’s educational activities in their local communities, record radio public-service announcements and provide their input on the most-effective ways to educate North America’s young people about the dangers of anabolic steroids and other appearance and performance enhancing drugs. In 2013, the Taylor Hooton Foundation spoke to and educated more than 150,000 people. It also began a Latin American outreach and traveled throughout the Caribbean, speaking to thousands of RBI athletes, coaches and parents in partnership with Major League Baseball. This year the THF will introduce a new eLearning program – narrated by Bob Costas – to Little League Baseball that will be offered to its one-million adult coaches and other volunteers. http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140309&content_id=68995850&vkey=pr_pit&c_id=pit