Lou Gehrig Day ALS-Related Activation Climbs To The Topps Across MLB, MiLB
Sunday, June 1, 2025 at 12:58PM By Barry Janoff
June 1, 2025: This year marks the fifth annual celebration of Lou Gehrig Day, during which MLB, MiLB, their clubs, players and others honor the New York Yankees Hall of Famer and seek to raise awareness and funds in the effort to find a cure for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord.
MLB will show support on the field, across media and in community efforts.
Gehrig died at the age of 39 on June 2, 1941, just two years after his diagnosis. ALS is still 100% fatal and can strike anyone at any time, according to the ALS Assn.
June 1 also marks the 100-year anniversary of the beginning of Lou Gehrig's 2,130 consecutive-games played streak.
A new platform this year sees 30 1-of-1 Topps Now cards featuring an image of Gehrig alongside the image Shohei Ohtani, Mike Trout, Paul Skenes, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Juan Soto. (Editor's note: The auction has ended and the set of cards from Topps is no longer available.)
Beginning today thru June 12, the 30 cards will be up for auction to benefit The Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS at Mass General.
Each player was selected by Sarah Langs, MLB Researcher and Reporter who herself battling ALS.
Each player was selected by Langs because they have a connection to Gehrig “through their passion for the game, unique statistical connection, or support for the ALS community.”
Also, as part of this auction, people can bid on a Priceless New York Yankees experience provided by MasterCard.
All players, managers, coaches and umpires will wear a special “4” decal on their uniforms (upper left chest) designed in Yankee uniform color and font to honor Lou Gehrig and acknowledge 2025 being the fifth Lou Gehrig Day.
Red “4-ALS” wristbands will be available to be worn in-game. Commemorative base jewels and lineup cards will be used during games.
A commemorative video and localized club-specific activations will take place prior to games.
An illuminated “4” will be displayed in each TV broadcast booth, which MLB said would remain a tradition for years to come.
MLB Network will honor Gehrig’s legacy and raise awareness for ALS on-air via a new Lou Gehrig Day tribute video,.
The video will also be shown in MLB ballparks.
MLB.com will have extensive editorial content and coverage of Lou Gehrig Day, with a special feature on Lou Gehrig Day activities across the league and Gehrig’s legacy.
MLB Social Media platforms will honor Gehrig and the ALS community in a variety of ways including highlighting legends in attendance and other notable activity throughout the day.”
“Lou Gehrig Day is an important opportunity to remind baseball fans around the country about the urgent need for a cure for ALS," Brian Frederick,ALS Association chief marketing and communications officer, said via the organization.
“Lou was an incredible player who inspired millions but could not beat this fatal disease. With the public's help, we can turn ALS from fatal to livable and then cure it. We have an amazing community of people living with ALS and their loved ones and they need our support."
MLB and MiLB club Lou Gehrig Day activation will take place beginning June 1 and running through the week.
Topps Now 1-of-1 autographed cards being auctioned also include Alex Bregman, Corbin Burnes, Gerrit Cole, Tarik Skubal, Christian Yelich and Christian Walker.
The ALS Assn. has joined with Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Aaron Nolan for the second season of his #StrikeOutALS campaign in honor of his late uncle, Alan Andries.
Through Big League Impact, Nola has increased his pledge to $1,500 for every strikeout, directly supporting ALS research and care. As of May 28, 2025 he’s recorded 52 strikeouts raising an incredible $78,000 so far.
See the full list of team activation here.
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