Phillies: Darren Daulton remembered via ‘Home Run for Hope’
By Matt Rappa
Former Phillies catcher Darren Daulton’s memory continues on
It is hard to believe, but it has almost been three years since former Philadelphia Phillies longtime catcher Darren Daulton passed away after a four-year battle with brain cancer.
This coming August 6 will mark three years without the key leader from the 1993 Phillies National League championship team, however, Dutch’s memory and determination to help others battling malignant brain tumors continues on through the Darren Daulton Foundation.
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The foundation’s annual charity golf outing, like most other events this year, was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, it is taking its mission, to provide financial support to those battling a primary malignant brain tumor, virtual with a new online campaign called “Home Run for Hope.”
The campaign, which began June 1 and runs through August 6, aims to raise $100,000 in donations to help fund grants this year and beyond.
Daulton’s former teammate Mickey Morandini, and current Phillies catcher Andrew Knapp, are among those supporting those cause in memory of the three-time All-Star and Phillies Wall of Famer. Both serve as foundation ambassadors.
“I think he would be proud of us,” Morandini told 6ABC’s Jeff Skversky. “We’re kind of having his legacy go on and he was such a big part of Philadelphia. [The foundation] helps people who have families that have had brain tumors that just can’t afford to pay the bills. It is a tough situation for a lot of families.”
“He was almost like a father figure to me in that clubhouse. This is my way to say thank you to him.”
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Knapp says being a catcher, just as was Daulton, you have qualities of leadership and selflessness.
“That is what this organization is all about, it is just strictly about helping people who need help,” Knapp told Skversky. “Especially in the time right now where people are struggling. No one knows where their next paycheck is going to come and so much is uncertain.”
“So, the foundation is doing whatever they can to help people in the Philly area who really need it.”
The foundation says it expects the demand for grants to rise, as many have been financially impacted during the pandemic; it has raised more than $250,000 in Dutch’s memory since 2013.