A Major League Baseball legend becomes an early ALS pioneer
It was a day die-hard Yankee fans were going to witness an unknown first baseman come off the second string bench to earn his starting lineup place in Yankee history. The second day of June in 1925 marked baseball legend Lou Gehrig’s start of his 2,130 record-breaking consecutive MLB game streak, forever recorded in American baseball history.
After an incredible 17-season career, Gehrig was forced into retirement from the early onset of ALS symptoms. It would ironically be on that exact same date sixteen years later that “Iron Horse” Lou Gehrig would die after a three-year battle with ALS, at the young age of 37 on June 2, 1941.
Major League Baseball takes a historically brave stance against ALS
The Lou Gehrig Day committee of ALS families, caregivers, patients, and MLB players from ALS families, are celebrating Major League Baseball’s decision to officially designate June 2 each year as Lou Gehrig Day. This is major news in the ALS community as 30 MLB teams have endorsed the decision, which will bring major-league awareness to ALS and the fight for a cure.
“The Los Angeles Dodgers are proud to partner with Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS in the fight against Lou Gehrig’s disease. As we remember Gehrig’s legacy and all those lost to ALS during Major League Baseball’s inaugural “Lou Gehrig Day” on June 2, the Dodgers remain committed to raising awareness and funds for research to cure this devastating disease.”
– The Los Angeles Dodgers Organization
MLB’s decision, coming 80 years after Gehrig succumbed to the disease in 1941, marks a landmark commitment from a major American sports league to work to find a cure. Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS is proud to partner with the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Angels for this special celebration recognizing Lou Gehrig and honoring those whose lives have been touched by ALS.
“The Los Angeles Angels are proud to support Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS at Major League Baseball’s inaugural Lou Gehrig Day. Orange County is home to Augie’s Quest founder, Augie Nieto, who is helping to change the lives of people in our community living with ALS. Angels Baseball looks forward to helping Augie’s Quest create a future without ALS.”
– The Los Angeles Angels Organization
June 2, 2021: The inaugural celebration to raise awareness and funds for the fight
The inaugural MLB recognition of Lou Gehrig Day kicks off a festive two-day celebration at all home ballparks across the league. Each home team plans to host ceremonies raising awareness for the disease along with displaying Lou Gehrig Day branding throughout stadiums, on uniforms, and on all MLB items throughout the day.
“The San Diego Padres are proud to partner with Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS to create awareness for the ALS community.” – Erik Greupner, CEO, The San Diego Padres
When Augie Nieto was diagnosed with ALS over 60 years after the passing of Lou Gehrig, he quickly understood the bleak reality that ALS lacked the critical support or widespread research needed to find treatment and cures. Augie set his sights on defeating his disease and began his new life’s work — Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS. From the very start, our mission was clear and simple: to find a cure for ALS.
Join Augie’s Quest and our friends in Major League Baseball on June 2 and 3, in celebrating the inaugural MLB recognition of Lou Gehrig Day, as we bring awareness to ALS and our continued fight for a cure, by making a donation today.
