Celebrating the 5th Annual Lou Gehrig Day and the ALS Community

The ALS Network is honored to celebrate the 5th annual Lou Gehrig Day and our continued partnership with Major League Baseball in paying tribute to Lou Gehrig’s enduring legacy and remembering all those we’ve lost to the disease that now bears his name. Before Lou Gehrig Day was officially established, the ALS Network and other ALS organizations partnered with MLB teams for ALS Awareness Day games over several years. The league-wide acceptance of Lou Gehrig Day was made possible thanks to the advocacy of families facing ALS — such as Kevin Heller, the ALS Network’s 2020 Napa Valley Ride Elevation Award Honoree — and the support of baseball players, coaches, executives, and ALS organizations across the country.

Observed each year on June 2, Lou Gehrig Day marks both the date Gehrig began his iconic streak as the Yankees’ starting first baseman and the day he passed away from ALS — the devastating disease that became globally known as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease.”

In recognition of Gehrig’s jersey number “4,” teams honor the day by displaying “4” logos in their ballparks. Players, coaches, managers, and umpires also wear commemorative patches, with additional ceremonial elements unique to each team.

The ALS Network is proud to partner with these meaningful programs each year alongside the ALS community and our fellow ALS advocacy organizations. This year, we were thrilled to celebrate with the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, and Athletics on Monday, June 2.

Lou Gehrig Day with the San Francisco Giants

The San Francisco Giants hosted their Lou Gehrig Day with a special game against the San Diego Padres. In addition to the ALS Network, many ALS organizations participated, including ALS TDI, I AM ALS, the Live Like Lou Foundation, and the Lou Gehrig Day Committee. Over 30 members were in attendance representing the ALS Network and community.

Prior to the start of the game, the team held a home plate ceremony that included honoring Lou Gehrig Award finalist Tristan Beck. As a finalist for the 2024 Lou Gehrig Memorial Award, Beck joined the Live Like Lou Foundation to present a custom, San Francisco Giants-branded Permobil wheelchair to Etzael Jimenez. Etzael’s mother and his three friends accepted the wheelchair on his behalf. Although Etzael was unable to attend the game, he was able to watch it surrounded by loved ones before his passing from ALS on June 3.

The team also held a moment of silence before the national anthem to recognize those who have been lost to ALS this past year. Aaron Bortel, a lifelong friend of Miles McConnell, ALS Network Advisory Trustee and person living with ALS, threw out the ceremonial first pitch on Miles’s behalf.

During the game, the Giants featured Mike Khalloff, COO of the ALS Network, along with representatives from other participating organizations and the Lou Gehrig Day Committee during their community spotlight.

See photos from the game here.

Lou Gehrig Day with the Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers honored the legacy of Lou Gehrig with a series of ceremonial activities, including a special Lou Gehrig Day video featuring the ALS Network, shown before their game against the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium.

Live Like Lou, Phi Delta Theta, and the Permobil Foundation honored Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman, who was a finalist for the 2025 Lou Gehrig Memorial Award. They then surprised a former high school baseball coach from Pico Rivera, Jason Ramirez, who is living with ALS, with a custom Dodgers wheelchair that Freeman signed in front of a packed crowd. Following the presentation, actor, Grammy nominee, ALS Network Advisory Trustee, and person living with ALS, Aaron Lazar, performed the national anthem.

Throughout the stadium, people living with ALS, their families, friends, and loved ones joined ALS Network staff to commemorate the day. Over 90 supporters were in attendance, many proudly wearing their ALS Network T-shirts.

You can view photos from the game here.

Lou Gehrig Day with the Athletics

The Athletics celebrated Lou Gehrig Day in Sacramento at Sutter Health Park against the Minnesota Twins. Members of the ALS Network, I AM ALS, and the ALS Association gathered at the park for the celebratory day.

Before the game, a presentation was held throughout the park showcasing Lou Gehrig Day, followed by a video celebrating the collaboration the Athletics have continued with the ALS community since 2011.

Randall Davis, who lost his voice to ALS, made a special appearance on the field as the game’s “Play Ball Kid.” Thanks to Eleven Labs, Randall’s recorded voice saying “Let’s play ball!” was played during the event.

See photos from the game here.

---

The ALS Network extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated in this year’s Lou Gehrig Day events, helping to raise awareness of ALS and advance our mission. We are especially grateful to our board members and advisory trustees who joined us in person.

We also sincerely thank the Lou Gehrig Day Committee, Major League Baseball teams, players, and their families for their continued dedication to the ALS community and their commitment to the pursuit of prevention strategies, treatments, and ultimately, a cure for ALS.