Morrison begins partnership with Cancer Center

MIAMI -- With family recently, Marlins first baseman Logan Morrison watched a highlight DVD of his 2010 rookie season.

An unforgettable moment in the clip was Tom Morrison being in attendance at Citi Field watching the Marlins face the Mets. It was the first time Tom, battling lung cancer, saw his son play in person in the big leagues.

Tom Morrison passed away in December of 2010.

Logan Morrison doesn't go a day without thinking about his father.

"He's definitely a great influence in my life still," the 26-year-old said.

In his father's memory, Morrison has now embarked on a new charitable partnership with the University of Miami's Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in honor of his father.

On Thursday morning, the left-handed hitting first baseman was at the hospital located near Marlins Park to help launch his latest charitable initiative.

"Whatever we can do is a step in the right direction, and it's a positive thing," Morrison said.

The Marlins' nominee for Major League Baseball's Roberto Clemente Award, Morrison embraces his status to help others.

He hopes teaming with the University of Miami's Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center advances the efforts to specifically zero in on lung cancer research.

"You look at the immediate good you can do, and for me, that would be seeing the smiles on kids faces, letting them know there is somebody there for them," Morrison said. "And the money that is raised, hopefully, one day that will help bring an end to lung cancer.

"If not, I think if a kid gets something good out of it, and a memory that lasts a lifetime, that's pretty cool."

Morrison also has announced dates for his fourth annual LoMo Camp for a Cure, an annual clinic for young players.

For the second consecutive year, the two-day event is set for Feb. 8-9 at ELEV|8 Sports Institute in Delray Beach, Fla.

The camp has raised more than $230,000 for lung cancer research.

Already committed to participate are Giancarlo Stanton, Jose Fernandez, Christian Yelich, Juan Pierre and Jeff Conine.

"Hopefully we can have all these players come out and the kids come out, and we can raise a lot of money for a good cause," Morrison said.

For details on registration, visit www.LoMo4Lungs.org.

The Marlins are coming off a rough season, finishing 62-100, but frustration on the field never deterred Morrison from doing his part in the community. Much of what Morrison does goes unnoticed.

One example came on the last Friday of the regular season, during batting practice. For a few minutes, Morrison sat in the dugout with a 14-year-old boy with cancer.

"I told him, 'You come out here and you get something out of this, and I get something out of this,'" Morrison said. "That's what I told him, 'We lost 100 games, and sometimes it's not very fun to go out and play baseball. But you put it into perspective. You're 14 years old, you had cancer and you got through it. You've gone through more than I've gone through in 26 years. I want to thank you for coming out and sharing your story with me.'

"Selfishly, I get something out of it. It's just a reminder to come out, play hard every day. You may not be guaranteed tomorrow."