2014 Marks 75th Anniversary of Lou Gehrig’s Inspiring Speech at Yankee Stadium
A pitcher can’t strike out just anyone, but Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as ALS, can. The Round Rock Express, along with the ALS Association Texas Chapter and MJ’s Army, will co-host Slugging ALS Night at Dell Diamond on Friday, June 20 as the Express take on the Sacramento River Cats. The event will further raise awareness about the disease that knows no racial, ethnic or socioeconomic boundaries in hopes of finding a cure.
Express players and coaches will wear commemorative pinstripe jerseys with the name Gehrig on the back and a #4 patch on the sleeve. This year marks the 75th anniversary of Lou Gehrig’s heart wrenching retirement speech at Yankee Stadium that brought this disease to the medical forefront. In 1941, following his death from ALS, the disease became more commonly known as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease.” The game-worn, commemorative pinstripe jerseys will be auctioned off as part of a special silent auction during the game with proceeds benefitting the ALS Association Texas Chapter and MJ’s Army. The auction will also include one-of-a-kind autographed baseball memorabilia.
To further raise awareness with a focus on Gehrig’s iconic jersey number, general admission/berm tickets are available at a discounted price of $4 for this special game.
“We are thrilled to host Slugging ALS night at Dell Diamond,” Express Sr. Vice President of Marketing Laura Fragoso said. “Bringing attention to this disease and keeping the fight started by Lou Gehrig alive is something that we are proud to be a part of.”
MJ’s Army will also be hosting the inaugural Slugging ALS Texas Timber Wood Bat Baseball Tournament from June 20-22 in the greater Austin area to generate more support for ALS research. The event is open to any amateur team wishing to play with divisions starting as young as age eight and 100% of the tournament’s proceeds will go towards MJ’s Army.
For more information on the Express, visit www.RoundRockExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255. Keep up with the Express on Facebook and Twitter!
About ALS
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Early symptoms of ALS often include muscle weakness that gradually becomes worse over time. Most who are diagnosed with ALS are only given between 3-5 years of life expectancy.
About MJ’s Army
Shortly after being diagnosed with ALS in June of 2011, Michael Jaillet (MJ) formed MJsARMY.org with the help of family and friends. MJ’s Army is a non-profit organization based out of Austin,TX whose mission is threefold: 1) to raise awareness about ALS, 2) to volunteer locally to assist families affected by ALS and 3) to raise much needed research dollars to fund treatments, and ultimately, a cure for ALS.
About the ALS Association
The ALS Association is the only national not-for-profit health organization dedicated solely to the fight against ALS. ALSA covers all the bases – research, patient and community services, public education, and advocacy – in providing help and hope to those facing the disease. The ALS Association (National Office and the Texas Chapter) operates under a shared mission: to help people living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and to leave no stone unturned in search for the cure.
This article originally appeared on the official website of the Round Rock Express. Click here to view the original story.