It’s been over 100 years since Lou Gehrig’s MLB debut, but his legacy and impact are still widely felt.
Gehrig, the first-ever MLB player to have his jersey number retired, was first revered for a historic iron-man streak with the Yankees. His career and life, however, were cut short after a battle with ALS.
Each season, the league honors Gehrig with a day named in his honor, bringing more awareness to Gehrig’s battle with ALS and the ongoing battle of the individuals and families currently impacted by the disease.
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Here is everything to know about how MLB honors Gehrig’s legacy while raising ALS awareness.
What is Lou Gehrig Day?
Lou Gehrig Day is MLB’s annual tradition to honor Gehrig’s life and legacy while increasing ALS awareness.
The first-ever Lou Gehrig Day was observed in 2021 and has been a key date on the MLB schedule each year.
Cal Ripken, who is linked to Gehrig after breaking his ironman streak in 1995 gave his thoughts on the inaugural event, according MLB.com.
“We all have our own things that we can do individually,” said Ripken. “But when we collectively come together in a big way and all 30 teams come together, and creating this day, the power that comes from that is remarkable.”
When is Lou Gehrig Day celebrated each year?
Lou Gehrig Day is celebrated annually on June 2. Teams that do not play on June 2 recognize the day on June 1.
June 2 marks the day that Gehrig became the Yankees’ starting first baseman, beginning a historic streak of 2,130 consecutive games played. Gehrig also died on June 2.
How MLB honors Lou Gehrig and ALS patients
All 32 teams honor Gehrig in various ways.
In 2025, players are wearing a No. 4 patch to honor Gehrig and wristbands that read “4 ALS” to honor ALS patients worldwide.
#LouGehrigDay will once again be commemorated around MLB this weekend, June 1st and 2nd.
Players will wear this No. 4 patch and these wristbands to mark the day and help raise awareness for ALS. pic.twitter.com/Gc2nd2gQFl
— MLB (@MLB) May 29, 2025
In addition to on-field tributes, the league provides information and resources for fans to support ALS and research around the disease.
What is ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease?
ALS is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, defined as a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
The ALS Association explains the disease’s name, explaining that a lack of muscle nourishment causes muscles to atrophy or waste away. The lateral part of the definition concerns the areas of the spinal cord where nerve cells that signal and control muscles are located.
As that area of the spinal cord degenerates, the scarring or hardening is called “sclerosis” of the region.
The disease was first identified in 1869, but became known internationally when it ended Gehrig’s career on June 2, 1941. For that reason, ALS was known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
There is currently no cures or effective treatments to stop the progression of ALS, though some treatments slow disease progression.
How can you support ALS on Lou Gehrig Day?
There are various ways to support ALS on Lou Gehrig Day, including many of the resources provided by MLB’s teams.
The site for MLB’s “4 ALS” initiative contains a list of national and local organizations promoting ALS research, including organizations supported by each of the league’s ball clubs.
MLB also holds Lou Gehrig Day auctions, with proceeds going toward research.
Watch Lou Gehrig’s ‘Luckiest Man Alive’ speech
Weeks after Gehrig’s retirement, he delivered a speech at Yankee Stadium in between a doubleheader against the Washington Senators. Only four sentences of the speech were captured on camera, but the transcript of Gehrig’s words cause many to consider it to be baseball’s “Gettysburg Address.”
For the past two weeks, you’ve been reading about a bad break.
Today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth. (cut) When you look around, wouldn’t you consider it a privilege to associate yourself with such fine-looking men as are standing in uniform in this ballpark today? … that I might have been given a bad break, but I’ve got an awful lot to live for. Thank you.
What year did Lou Gehrig die?
Gehrig died from complications of ALS on June 2, 1941. He was 37 years old.
Is Lou Gehrig in the Hall of Fame?
Gehrig is in the Baseball Hall of Fame. He was inducted via special election in 1939.
Gehrig did not have a formal induction ceremony while alive, but in 2013, he was honored posthumously in a special tribute alongside 10 other deceased inductees.
Lou Gehrig career stats
- 17 seasons
- 2,164 games
- 2,721 hits
- 493 home runs
- 1,995 RBI
- .340 batting average
