Mahtook gives back in memory of his father

ST. PETERSBURG — Rays outfielder Mikie Mahtook appreciates having a platform to make a difference. That has allowed him to address a cause that is dear to him because of family circumstances.

Mahtook’s father, Mikie, died of cardiomyopathy at age 32, when Mikie was only 4 years old.

“Unexpectedly. He was healthy,” said Mahtook. “He’d been a college football player. He played at LSU. He was in shape. He was actually playing tennis with a bunch of doctors. And he dropped on the court and instantly died.

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“It was one of those things where he showed no symptoms. Nobody knew he had it. He played sports his whole life. It’s kind of one of those freak things that happen, and nobody should ever have to go through.”

In January 2015, Mahtook launched the Mikie Mahtook Foundation, a nonprofit organization named after his late father and dedicated to the education and prevention of heart disease.

“The reason I started the foundation was to honor my dad, but also to help prevent and give …

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