Illuminated Stars known as “A Langs Star” to be displayed in each TV broadcast booth on June 2nd in honor of Sarah Langs; 30 special bats, autographed by Major Leaguers from each club, will be auctioned to raise funds for ALS research
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
ABOUT LOU GEHRIG DAY
Lou Gehrig Day, held annually on June 2nd, marks the day Gehrig became the starting first baseman for the New York Yankees, the beginning of his incredible streak of consecutive games played. It is also solemnly remembered as the day he passed from complications of ALS. Through Lou Gehrig Day, MLB will celebrate the groups and individuals who have led in the pursuit for cures, honor those who are bravely living with ALS, and remember all those whose lives have been lost to this disease.
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.
MLB CLUB & PARTNER ACTIVATIONS
MLB CLUBS – See separate attachment for Club Activations (with more to be announced leading up to June 2nd)
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.
For more information on Lou Gehrig Day or MLB Charities, please visit MLBTogether.com or MLBTogether.com/4ALS.
