ST. LOUIS -- Anthony Rendon doesn't remember hearing much about anabolic steroids and performance-enhancing drugs in his high school health classes. That is one of the reasons he has happily served as the Nationals' player representative on the advisory board for the Taylor Hooton Foundation for the past few seasons, and why it was a no-brainer for him to do so again this year.
Rendon is one of 38 active players on the board for the foundation, which is widely recognized as the leader in the advocacy against PED use by the youth of America.
"You can go after something, you can chase a dream, but you don't have to boost yourself up or stick yourself with a needle to try and get an edge," Rendon said. "You can do it on your own. You can do it the right way."
This year players on the advisory board are also participating in a public-service campaign titled "It's All Me." A print PSA featuring each member has been created and will be available to each team for its program/magazine, and will also appear in MLB's League Championship Series and World Series programs after already making an appearance in the All-Star Game program.
Rendon is a perfect fit, considering he is one of the Nats' most active players when it comes to youth engagement. His work with the Taylor Hooton Foundation has included participating in a youth camp at Nationals Park each year, run by the team's athletic training staff, and he has assumed a large role at the Nationals' Youth Baseball Academy.
"You can do it with eating better and exercising right," Rendon said about his message to kids. "You don't have to stick yourself with a needle or take these pills or whatever it is to get bigger, faster, stronger. There are other ways to do it without harming your body in the long run. I think it's important that way."