Down the Line: Virginia Beach native Chris Taylor of Dodgers lines up fundraiser at Topgolf to fight children’s cancer
Los Angeles Dodgers utilityman Chris Taylor, who grew up in Virginia Beach, will hold a “Driving for Hope” fundraiser from noon-4 p.m. on Nov. 27 at Topgolf in his hometown to benefit Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters and the Roc Solid Foundation, both of which are well-known for helping kids deal with cancer diagnoses.
Taylor’s charitable foundation, CT3 (he wears No. 3 on the field), is presenting a day of golf, food, drinks and entertainment, along with celebrity items to be auctioned.
Taylor’s childhood friend, Kyle Profilet, was diagnosed with bone cancer in 2017 and died in 2019. Taylor also bonded with Dalton Fox, a CHKD patient who died from Ewing sarcoma at age 12 in 2021.
“Though we lost Kyle and Dalton, there are still so many kids who can be saved from these devastating diseases,” the Cox High and University of Virginia alum said in a release announcing the event. “I’m determined to not let anyone go through this fight alone. ... This event is one small way to have an impact.”
In March, Taylor will enter his 10th MLB season. He came up with Seattle in 2014, was traded to Los Angeles in ‘16 and has been a Dodger since. He has 89 home runs and a .256 batting average in 861 MLB games.
Striders reveal Hall class: The Tidewater Striders announced five new Hall of Fame members who will be honored Feb. 11 at the Norfolk Yacht and Country Club for their contributions to the running, walking or triathlon community: Maria George, Craig Hanner, Thomas Hicks, Jon Leiding and Michael Nestor.
George, honored as a volunteer, became the first woman on the club board in 1975 and has been a secretary, treasurer, editor and statistician.
Hanner won 21 races from the late 1980s to the mid-1990s, has been on the Striders’ board and has volunteered in many ways.
Hicks hasn’t let multiple sclerosis stop him from winning races, directing them and volunteering among many other things.
Leiding, a Striders member since 2009, has been a frequent high finisher in races as well as a coach and volunteer in numerous ways.
Nestor has been a longtime, often-honored coach at Ocean Lakes High in his native Virginia Beach who was the Old Dominion cross country captain in 1992, the last year the Monarchs competed in that sport.
Minor league basketball: A new team called the Triangle Shooters has gotten started and is playing home games at Williamsburg Christian Academy.
The Shooters won their home opener last weekend 89-82 over the Seven Cities Vets, thanks in large part to 33 points from former Virginia Union and Bethel High guard Dashawn Barton. Marius Turner, a Hampton native and former Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts player, had 15 points as did one of Christopher Newport’s standouts last season, Darian Peterson.
The Shooters’ next Pro Basketball Association home game will be Dec. 3 against the Bridgeport Bombers.
What’s coming up
Monday: Old Dominion’s men will host Virginia Wesleyan in basketball at 7 p.m.
Tuesday: The ODU women’s basketball home opener will be at 6:30 p.m. against William & Mary.
Saturday: Virginia Wesleyan plays host to a men’s-women’s basketball doubleheader at 1 and 4 p.m. against N.C. Wesleyan and Salem of North Carolina, respectively. ... The W&M men’s basketball team will host Army at 4 p.m. at Kaplan Arena. ... The sixth-ranked CNU women’s basketball team will host Goucher at 6 p.m.
