In 2019, a coach gave a nickname to Jhoan Duran.
It worked on many levels.
His last name. "Duro" means "hard" in Spanish and Duran was hitting 100.
But the biggest reason was his dreadlocks, which looked like "spider legs." (See pic below)
The origin of Durantula www.inquirer.com/phillies/jho...
In 2019, pitching coach Luis Ramirez was training with Jhoan Duran when he blurted out a nickname.
“Somehow, ‘Durantula’ came to mind. And I just said it."
It's been there ever since.
Here's the backstory behind a moniker that fits in more ways than one: www.inquirer.com/phillies/jho...
Duran, who watched Spider Man as a kid, embraced the nickname.
He put spiders on his cleats. He got a spider tattoo. He eventually incorporated the critters into his entrance.
"‘Durantula’ just stuck.”
Seven years later, it's a part of his identity: www.inquirer.com/phillies/jho...
The nickname stuck, for a few reasons.
There was Duran's last name. He was already hitting triple digits ("duro" translates to "hard" in Spanish).
Add in the "spider" hair, and it was the perfect fit.
"The dreads ... kind of looked like a tarantula" www.inquirer.com/phillies/jho...
Ramírez grew up in El Taque, a tiny village in Venezuela full of critters, including tarantulas.
When the coach first saw the pitcher's dreadlocks, that was what he thought of.
“I saw a lot of tarantulas when I was a kid and his hair looked just like it” www.inquirer.com/phillies/jho...
Ramírez is now the assistant pitching coach for the Twins.
He and Duran say they are like "father and son."
Their families have gotten to know each other. They talk almost every day.
Duran's son even gave Ramírez a nickname of his own: "Tío Lupita" www.inquirer.com/phillies/jho...
In 2019, pitching coach Luis Ramirez was training with Jhoan Duran when he blurted out a nickname.
“Somehow, ‘Durantula’ came to mind. And I just said it."
It's been there ever since.
Here's the backstory behind a moniker that fits in more ways than one: www.inquirer.com/phillies/jho...
In 2019, a coach gave a nickname to Jhoan Duran.
It worked on many levels.
His last name. "Duro" means "hard" in Spanish and Duran was hitting 100.
But the biggest reason was his dreadlocks, which looked like "spider legs." (See pic below)
The origin of Durantula www.inquirer.com/phillies/jho...
“It gives me my purpose. And no matter what happens, I know that, when it’s all said and done, people are going to say I cared.”
Roman Catholic alum Brian Wanamaker has an incurable cancer. It hasn’t stopped him from turning Texas Wesleyan into a winner: www.inquirer.com/high-school-...
“Every time I think, ‘All right, now it’s time to move on, we’re not going to have all this support’ — they don’t [move] on. This is a moment that there will be a movie about.
“And in that movie, Noa and Johnny will be on the ice.” www.inquirer.com/flyers/johnn...
In 2022, Roman Catholic alum Brian Wanamaker was diagnosed with multiple myeloma.
It’s a treatable but incurable cancer.
He was an assistant at Texas Wesleyan and coached through chemo.
Now, he’s head coach & has led them to success, all through monthly treatments www.inquirer.com/high-school-...
A former star at Roman along with his twin brother Brad, Brian Wanamaker has been leading a successful NAIA college team while enduring the fight of his life.
25.02.2026 20:16 — 👍 10 🔁 3 💬 0 📌 0
In 2022, Roman Catholic alum Brian Wanamaker was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, an incurable cancer.
He continued to coach at Texas Wesleyan, through months of daily chemo.
Today he's still coaching — even with monthly treatments.
"It gives me my purpose." www.inquirer.com/high-school-...
It's a job that can be tiring, and unforgiving, but one that has helped him stay grounded.
“It gives me my purpose,” Wanamaker said. “And no matter what happens, I know that, when it’s all said and done, people are going to say I cared.” www.inquirer.com/high-school-...
Wanamaker was named head coach in 2024. He's made a big impact.
After two losing seasons, the Rams have gone 38-19 since he took over.
He still gets monthly chemo treatments.
"He’s going above and beyond for us," one player said, "so we should do the same.” www.inquirer.com/high-school-...
He started chemo immediately, a daily treatment that lasted for seven months.
Wanamaker often felt fatigued. But that same week, he started going to basketball practice.
He kept going, every day, after chemo.
"It was just being there for [the players]" www.inquirer.com/high-school-...
It was multiple myeloma, a cancer that's treatable but not curable.
Only 1% of cases are found in those younger than 35. (@americancancersoc.bsky.social)
Wanamaker was 33.
“That was hard. Because when you hear cancer, you think death. And then you hear, ‘No cure’" www.inquirer.com/high-school-...
Roman was tough at first.
The twins didn't realize it was an all boys school, and initially "wanted to leave."
They racked up demerits and missed part of their first basketball season as a result.
But they came to love it —and found success on the court www.inquirer.com/high-school-...
Wanamaker and his twin brother, Brad, grew up in North Philly.
They played in the Sonny Hill League, where they met Rasool Hajj, a coach and mentor.
He was an alumni of Roman, and introduced them to the coaching staff.
They enrolled in 2003: www.inquirer.com/high-school-...
In 2022, Roman Catholic alum Brian Wanamaker was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, an incurable cancer.
He continued to coach at Texas Wesleyan, through months of daily chemo.
Today he's still coaching — even with monthly treatments.
"It gives me my purpose." www.inquirer.com/high-school-...
In 2022, Roman Catholic alum Brian Wanamaker was diagnosed with multiple myeloma.
It’s a treatable but incurable cancer.
He was an assistant at Texas Wesleyan and coached through chemo.
Now, he’s head coach & has led them to success, all through monthly treatments www.inquirer.com/high-school-...
The family is grateful for USA hockey.
“Every time I think, ‘Alright, now it’s time to move on, we're not going to have all this support' — they don't move on. This is a moment that there will be a movie about.
"And in that movie, Noa and Johnny will be on the ice” www.inquirer.com/flyers/johnn...
Thank you!!
24.02.2026 23:14 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Last Tuesday, when the Gaudreaus were invited to the Olympics, they declined.
This was Johnny's dream. It felt bittersweet.
But by Wednesday, everything changed.
“My mom was like, ‘I didn’t sleep. I think John would want us to go. I think we should go.'" www.inquirer.com/flyers/johnn...
“Every time I think ‘Alright, now it’s time to move on, we’re not going to have all this support’ — they don’t [move] on,” said Katie Gaudreau of USA Hockey’s tributes to her late brothers on Sunday.
23.02.2026 22:13 — 👍 11 🔁 1 💬 1 📌 0
The family is grateful for USA hockey.
“Every time I think, ‘Alright, now it’s time to move on, we're not going to have all this support' — they don't move on. This is a moment that there will be a movie about.
"And in that movie, Noa and Johnny will be on the ice” www.inquirer.com/flyers/johnn...
By August of 2024, the Gaudreau family felt good about his chances.
“I think he might make the team,” Guy told Jane. “He’s in the best shape of his life.” www.inquirer.com/flyers/johnn...
From May-Aug of 2024, Johnny and Guy worked to get him in Olympic shape.
They'd drive to rinks all over NJ - sometimes 70 miles away- for an extra hour of ice time.
“He said, ‘Dad when I come home, we really have to push it. I want to make the Olympics’” www.inquirer.com/flyers/johnn...
Last Tuesday, when the Gaudreaus were invited to the Olympics, they declined.
This was Johnny's dream. It felt bittersweet.
But by Wednesday, everything changed.
“My mom was like, ‘I didn’t sleep. I think John would want us to go. I think we should go.'" www.inquirer.com/flyers/johnn...
“This job gives you magic Santa Claus powers to bring joy to people. And you can’t use your Santa Claus powers all the time.
“But occasionally, you can go full Santa Claus.”
Inside The Simpsons last-minute addition of Dan McQuade to its Philly episode: www.inquirer.com/sports/dan-m...
