Blackmon advocates to keep game clean 

PHILADELPHIA -- Rockies right fielder Charlie Blackmon is passionate about his role on the MLB Advisory Board of the Taylor Hooton Foundation, which advocates against the use of appearance- and performance-enhancing substances among America’s youth.

“I’m very thankful to play, in my opinion, the greatest game in the world at the highest level,” Blackmon said. “And I’m really proud that Major League Baseball has made it a priority that we’re going to do that with clean bodies, so that I don’t have to risk my heath to try to compete. We’re trying really hard to keep the game clean.”

This is the fourth straight season that the MLB Advisory Board -- which formed in 2014 and is fully endorsed by Major League Baseball -- has included a representative from all 30 teams. Blackmon is one of a record 42 members of the advisory board.

“We don’t want young kids thinking that’s the way to get to the big leagues,” Blackmon said. “It comes back to protecting the kids. You shouldn’t have things that are going to hurt your body be a part of the game. If you want to be a step above physically, you’ve got to work hard. You’ve got to get in the weight room, eat right, make it a lifestyle. Resorting to PEDs is very selfish and cowardly, and it’s only going to hurt younger generations.”