MLB, Diamondbacks celebrate Lou Gehrig Day, raising funds for ALS research

Major League Baseball celebrated Lou Gehrig Day on Sunday, the anniversary of both the Iron Horse’s 2,130 consecutive games streak and untimely death due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

ALS attacks nerve cells and pathways in the brain and spinal cord and life expectancy is about two to five years from the time of diagnosis, although it can vary.

Teams around the league celebrated by creating awareness and raising money for Lou Gehrig’s disease research, and the Arizona Diamondbacks will host festivities on Monday.

The D-backs wore 4 ALS armbands against the New York Mets at Citi Field and No. 4 patches to honor Gehrig on Sunday. Arizona’s No. 4 Ketel Marte hit two home runs in a 5-4 win.

The Diamondbacks return to Chase Field Monday to take on the San Francisco Giants.

#LouGehrigDay accents. #EndALS pic.twitter.com/JmUvhZGWK6

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) June 2, 2024

The D-backs will be donating $5 from each special event ticket purchased to an organization with a focus on Lou Gehrig’s disease, including ALS Arizona, the Muscular Dystrophy Association and Barrow Neurological Institute.

Gabe Tapia, an ALS patient who has been dedicated to helping the cause, from ALS Arizona will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Muscular Dystrophy Association ambassador Doug Clough will read Gehrig’s famous “Luckiest Man” speech.

Sunday was the fourth annual Lou Gehrig Day in MLB.

Let’s continue to stand together in the fight against ALS. #LouGehrigDay

🎙️ @SlangsOnSports pic.twitter.com/myQURdwzI9

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) June 2, 2024

MLB researcher extraordinaire Sarah Langs, who battles ALS and has been at the forefront of MLB’s fight against the disease, picked a player from each club to sign a baseball card for auction to benefit ALS research. Langs chose D-backs first baseman Christian Walker.

The card is a one-of-one and has Gehrig and Walker on the front.

BEYOND honored to be asked by MLB to select a player per team to sign a @Topps card, each to be auctioned to benefit ALS research at @MGHNeurology

thanks SO MUCH to the players, chosen for personal links to ALS + passion for the game akin to Gehrig’s

➡️ https://t.co/9Hei35bB46 pic.twitter.com/v8KPoOvRYZ

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) June 2, 2024

Organizations working to end ALS partnered with MLB and each of its clubs are listed online.

How MLB teams spread awareness on Lou Gehrig Day

What a special moment 🫶

The legendary @SteveGleason and the family of the late Calgary Flames Assistant General Manager, Chris Snow, were on hand to deliver today’s first pitch. #LouGehrigDay pic.twitter.com/qDZcS1qONX

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) June 2, 2024

Today’s stretch conductors: ALS fighters, family members and caretakers!#EndALS | #LouGehrigDay pic.twitter.com/0UHSPJU8pA

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 2, 2024

Lucy Frates with today’s ceremonial first pitch in honor of her father, Pete Frates. ❤️#LouGehrigDay pic.twitter.com/4rqcWLnsBm

— Red Sox (@RedSox) June 2, 2024

As a finalist for the 2023 Lou Gehrig Award, Mike Yastrzemski joined the Live Like Lou Foundation to present a scholarship to Elizabeth Duncan, an incoming college freshman, who has overcome the loss of her dad Jon, uncle Jeff and aunt Jennifer, all to ALS. #LouGehrigDay pic.twitter.com/155i4MOqZm

— SFGiants (@SFGiants) June 2, 2024

As part of #LouGehrigDay, we join @MLB in supporting those in the fight against ALS and remembering those we’ve lost

Together, we can find a cure: https://t.co/qPsR7IkeUz pic.twitter.com/O76JmH9JHJ

— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) June 2, 2024

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