MLB is celebrating the third annual Lou Gehrig Day on Friday, which coincides with the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers beginning a three-game series at Dodger Stadium.
MLB, all teams and select players are going to be directly involved in raising awareness and research funds for ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), otherwise known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
In addition to traditional ballpark activities, MLB researcher and analyst Sarah Langs is going to be recognized in every broadcast booth during games by way of illuminated wooden stars known as “A Langs Star.”
The stars, made possible through ESPN’s Karl Ravech, Christopher Owens (The Star Man) and Project ALS, are available for fans to purchase at StarsforSarah.org with all proceeds benefitting Project ALS on Langs’ behalf.
Plus, money is being raised to benefit the Expanded Access Protocol program at the Healey & AMG Center for ALS through autographed bats signed by players who were selected by Langs. She also is going to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at Citi Field on Lou Gehrig Day.
Mookie Betts was among the 30 players Langs selected to autograph a bat for a charitable auction that began Friday at MLB.com. The players were picked based on a personal connection to ALS, their support of the ALS Community, or a symbolic connection to Lou Gehrig by either their passion for the game, character or a unique statistical connection.
Dodgers celebration for Lou Gehrig Day
The Dodgers are inviting Phil Green and his 15-year-old son, Park Green, to throw out the first pitch to Lou Gehrig Day spokesperson and Dodgers legend Steve Garvey.
Phil, a Southern California resident, has been in a wheelchair since being diagnosed with ALS, and has made a commitment to raising awareness to fight against the disease. He additionally is on the Lou Gehrig Day committee working directly
with MLB.
History of Lou Gehrig Day
In 2021, Lou Gehrig joined fellow Baseball Legends Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente as the only players whose legacies are celebrated annually with dedicated, league-wide days.
June 2 was specifically chosen as the date for Lou Gehrig Day as it marks when he became the New York Yankees’ starting first baseman, thus cementing the start of an incredible streak of consecutive games played, as well as the day he passed from complications of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
The focus of Lou Gehrig Day is on three pillars: remembering the legacy of Gehrig and all those lost to the disease that bears his name, raising awareness and funds for research of ALS and supporting the needs of the ALS Community, and celebrating the groups and individuals who have led the pursuit for cures.
In 1925, Gehrig became the Yankees’ starting first baseman on his way to his legendary streak of 2,130 consecutive games played, which ended on April 30, 1939, and was upheld for more than 60 years.
Gehrig’s career included American League MVP Awards, a Triple Crown, six World Series championships, seven All-Star Game appearances and the 1934 batting title.
Gehrig’s farewell speech to the baseball world on July 4, 1939, amid the struggles of a debilitating disease, displayed the humanity and grace that has become synonymous with his legacy. He was elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in December 1939.
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