Third annual Lou Gehrig Day on June 2nd
Commemorative Date Will Continue To Honor the Legacy of The Hall of Famer Who Has Inspired the Ongoing Movement to End ALS; Research, Care Advocacy and Recognition of Those Impacted by ALS To Be Primary Focus of Lou Gehrig Day
Major League Baseball, in coordination with MLB Clubs and various partners, today announced efforts to commemorate the third annual Lou Gehrig Day on Friday, June 2nd through which Baseball will collectively raise awareness and research funds for ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), otherwise known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. In addition to traditional ballpark activities, MLB will honor MLB researcher and analyst Sarah Langs in every broadcast booth during games on Lou Gehrig Day, and raise money for the Healey & AMG Center for ALS through autographed bats signed by players who were selected by Langs. Notably, Langs will throw the ceremonial first pitch at Citi Field on Lou Gehrig Day.
“A Langs Star”
In honor of Langs, illuminated wooden stars known as “A Langs Star” will be displayed in each TV broadcast booth during Lou Gehrig Day games. The stars, made possible through ESPN’s Karl Ravech, Christopher Owens (The Star Man) and Project ALS, will be available for fans to purchase at StarsforSarah.org with all proceeds benefitting Project A.L.S. on Sarah’s behalf.
Lou Gehrig Day Autographed Bat Auction
Beginning on June 2nd, MLB will run a special charitable auction at mlb.com to benefit the Expanded Access Protocol program at the Healey & AMG Center for ALS. The auction will feature 30 autographed and authenticated Lou Gehrig Day bats, including players selected by Langs. The players, including some of the top players in the game, were selected 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. The players include the following:
- ARI – Ketel Marte
- ATL – Sam Hilliard
- BAL – Adley Rutschman
- BOS – Chris Sale
- CHC – Trey Mancini
- CIN – Tyler Stephenson
- CLE – Triston McKenzie
- COL – Ryan McMahon
- CWS – Liam Hendriks
- DET – Spencer Torkelson
- HOU – Jose Altuve
- KC – Salvador Perez
- LAA – Mike Trout
- LAD – Mookie Betts
- MIA – Tommy Nance
- MIL – Christian Yelich
- MIN – Carlos Correa
- NYM – Pete Alonso
- NYY – Gerrit Cole
- OAK – Tony Kemp
- PHI – Aaron Nola
- PIT – Andrew McCutchen
- SD – Austin Nola
- SEA – Julio Rodríguez
- SFG – Brandon Crawford
- STL – Paul Goldschmidt
- TB – Randy Arozarena
- TEX – Jacob deGrom
- TOR – Daulton Varsho
- WSH – Joey Meneses
MLB NETWORK & MEDIA BROADCAST PARTNERS
MLB NETWORK — MLB Network will celebrate Lou Gehrig Day throughout its studio programming and air a special tribute video, which will be shared in MLB ballparks on June 2. MLB Network broadcasters will wear 4-ALS shirts and pints on-set in an effort to raise awareness, plus MLB Network also will air the New York Yankees at Los Angeles Dodgers* LIVE at 10 p.m. ET.
MLB Network will also re-air the 2015 documentary “Iron Knight: Lou Gehrig,” narrated by Martin Sheen, on June 2nd (1 p.m. ET) and 3rd (Noon) ET.
ON-FIELD:
- All players, managers, and coaches will wear a special “Lou Gehrig Day” patch on their uniforms.
- Red “4-ALS” wristbands will be available to be worn in-game, in addition to commemorative base jewels and lineup cards.
DIGITAL MEDIA
MLB.com – MLB.com and all 30 club sites will have extensive editorial content and coverage of Lou Gehrig Day, with a special feature on Lou Gehrig Day activities across the league and Lou Gehrig’s legacy in baseball and with ALS.
SOCIAL MEDIA – MLB Social Media platforms will honor Lou Gehrig and the ALS community in a variety of ways including highlighting legend and celebrity engagement throughout the day, which includes Dodgers Legend Steve Garvey’s appearance at Dodger Stadium and Zac Brown Band member John Driskell “Hop” Hopkins at Great American Ball Park, who is actively living with ALS.
“LOU GEHRIG CHALLENGE BY EVERFI”
As a part of the MLB Summer Slugger Program, Clubs can customize a “Lou Gehrig Showcase” that captures the life and legacy of Lou Gehrig as an extension of learning and engagement opportunities for students outside of the classroom.
ABOUT LOU GEHRIG DAY
Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig joins fellow Baseball Legends Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente as the only players whose legacies are celebrated annually with dedicated, league-wide days. June 2nd was specifically chosen as the date for Lou Gehrig Day as it marks when Gehrig became the Yankees starting first baseman, thus cementing the start of his incredible streak of consecutive games played, as well as the day he passed from complications of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), otherwise known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. The focus of Lou Gehrig Day will be on three pillars: (1) remembering the legacy of Gehrig and all those lost to the disease that bears his name; (2) raising awareness and funds for research of ALS and supporting the needs of the ALS Community; and (3) celebrating the groups and individuals who have led the pursuit for cures. This special occasion follows a campaign led by the “Lou Gehrig Day Committee” (www.lg4day.com), which is comprised of individuals, family and friends affected by ALS, as well as organizations leading the way on awareness and fundraising for the movement to end the disease.
MLB’S SUPPORT OF ALS COMMUNITY
Baseball has had a long-standing commitment to supporting the movement to end ALS, including commemorations on July 4th – the anniversary of Gehrig’s famous “Luckiest Man Alive” retirement speech – as well as annual in-ballpark recognitions throughout the month of August. Previous efforts have included:
- In 2019, MLB and all 30 MLB Clubs raised funds through the annual Winter Meetings Charity Auction to benefit five ALS organizations – ALS CURE Project, Healey Center for ALS, The ALS Association, Project Main Street, and ALS Therapy Development Institute.
- In 2017, MLB supported the ALS Association’s “Home Health Initiative” through the MLB Fights ALS campaign, which was a league-wide fundraising effort in early August of that year. Beginning with an initial contribution from Major League Baseball, the effort sought to generate additional funds for the Home Health Initiative, which helps provide in-home care to individuals and families affected by ALS.
- In 2014, MLB, its Clubs and its players supported the wave of millions of dollars raised through the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, which led to new discoveries that have advanced the search for cures.
- In 2009, MLB formed the initial “4-ALS” charitable campaign to raise funds for four ALS organizations and to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Gehrig’s retirement speech.
- Historically, MLB and Clubs have supported several ALS-focused organizations in raising funds and general awareness of the disease.
ABOUT ALS
ALS is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that can strike anyone at any time. People with ALS lose the ability to control their muscles, which affects their ability to walk, talk, eat, and eventually breathe. There are an estimated 20,000-30,000 people living with ALS. There is no significant treatment to extend life or cure ALS, but there are currently several potential treatments in late-stage clinical trials.
ABOUT LOU GEHRIG
Affectionately known as the “Iron Horse,” Lou Gehrig is one of the greatest players in all of baseball history. On June 2, 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 would stand for more than 60 years. Gehrig’s career is highlighted with two American League Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards, a Triple Crown, six World Series championships, seven All-Star appearances and the 1934 batting title. His 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 to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in December 1939. Gehrig succumbed to ALS on June 2, 1941.