MLB, advocacy groups step up to the plate for ALS on annual Lou Gehrig Day
Events honoring legendary player who died from disease raise awareness, funds
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- Lou Gehrig Day on June 2 raises ALS awareness and funds for research.
- MLB and advocacy groups will host events to honor Gehrig's legacy and support patients.
- ALS is a neurodegenerative disease causing progressive muscle weakness and paralysis.
Tomorrow, June 2, is Lou Gehrig Day, an annual event that honors the life and legacy of Lou Gehrig, the record-setting baseball player who died from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) more than 80 years ago.
Major League Baseball (MLB) designated June 2 to honor Gehrig because it marks when he became the starting first baseman for the New York Yankees, kicking off his historic consecutive games streak, as well as the anniversary of his death from ALS complications in 1941. Events are taking place worldwide, and MLB is encouraging community members to raise awareness and donate to ALS advocacy and research groups.
“The focus of Lou Gehrig Day is to remember the legacy of Gehrig and all those lost to the disease that bears his name; raise awareness and funds for research of ALS; and celebrate the groups and individuals who have led the pursuit for cures,” MLB said on its website.
Teams across baseball hosting events
Tomorrow at 2 p.m. EST, advocacy group I AM ALS is hosting an event, Lou Gehrig Day Team, to bring the ALS community together, raise awareness, and celebrate Gehrig’s legacy. The advocacy group offers a range of volunteer opportunities for people to get involved in celebrating this day.
Many baseball teams are also getting involved by partnering with ALS organizations for Lou Gehrig Day events. These groups are using Lou Gehrig Day celebrations to raise awareness, connect with families affected by the disease, and generate funding for research and patient support programs.
Several organizations, such as I AM ALS, ALS Network, and the ALS Association, are also offering opportunities for members of the ALS community to attend games or access ticket packages at select ballparks.
Among the events planned this year, the Minnesota Twins are marking the day and celebrating the ALS Association by partnering with Fulton Brewing, while the Tampa Bay Rays are honoring the day during their game against the Detroit Tigers.
This Saturday, June 6, the Los Angeles Dodgers will be celebrating Lou Gehrig Day during their game against the Los Angeles Angels. The following Monday, June 8, the San Francisco Giants will be observing Lou Gehrig Day during their game against the Washington Nationals. And on June 10, the New York Mets are hosting an event dubbed Live Like Lou before their game against the St. Louis Cardinals.
On Sunday, June 14, the ALS Association will be hosting Chasin’ a Cure in Milwaukee. This event includes “good ol’ fashioned baseball fun inside and outside the stadium,” as well as a tailgate party with “music, food, beverages, and fun for the whole family,” according to the association.
A few other teams, including the Athletics and the Kansas City Royals, held events honoring Gehrig last week. Teams in American Legion Baseball are also honoring the day.
ALS is a neurodegenerative disease that causes progressive muscle weakness and paralysis. Lou Gehrig was one of the first celebrities to disclose his ALS diagnosis publicly. He is so synonymous with ALS that to this day, the condition is sometimes called Lou Gehrig’s disease.
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