Second annual Lou Gehrig Day honoring his legacy and the ongoing movement to end ALS
On Wednesday, mlb announced the all teams will observe Lou Gehrig Day on Thursday, June 2nd with efforts including special moments at Major League ballparks and reflections of stories about individuals who have been affected by Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), otherwise known as “Lou Gehrig’s disease.”
The St. Louis Cardinals are on the road on June 2, so they will observe Lou Gehrig day on June 13.
Ways the Cardinals will observe the day:
- Partnering with The ALS Association St. Louis Regional Chapter and the Muscular Dystrophy Association locally.
- ALS patients and their families/caregivers will be hosted in a suite with food and beverage provided.
- Prior to the game, two patients and their families will be recognized on field and either they or a member of their family will throw out a ceremonial pitch.
- The ALS Association St. Louis Regional Chapter has a unique fundraising link cardinals.com/als will offer tickets at $20 with $5 from each going back to the organization.
- The ALS Association St. Louis Regional Chapter and the local MDA combined received 10 Lou Gehrig logoed baseballs signed by either Albert Pujols or Paul Goldschmidt that will be used for their local fundraising purposes to benefit the work they do in support of ALS patients and families.
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.
