On June 1, 1925, a young first baseman from Columbia University quietly took the field for the New York Yankees, unaware that his name would be etched into baseball immortality. That man, of course, was Lou Gehrig. A century later, Major League Baseball pauses once again — not just to remember a towering streak of 2,130 consecutive games, but to honor the indomitable spirit of the man who played them. In ballparks across the country this week, the game he so dearly loved will pay tribute to his courage — and to the fight against the disease that ultimately bore his name.

This marks the fifth annual Lou Gehrig Day, a league-wide initiative dedicated to raising awareness and funds for ALS research. All 30 clubs are participating, some on Sunday, some on Monday, but all with one unified purpose: to carry forward the battle Gehrig could not finish himself. Players, coaches, managers, and umpires will wear the now-familiar “4” on their uniforms — the number Gehrig made iconic — while red “4-ALS” wristbands, commemorative lineup cards, and special base jewels serve as additional reminders of the day’s deeper meaning.

For those attending or tuning in from home, the ceremonies will resonate far beyond the ballpark. Broadcasts will feature a commemorative video tribute, while illuminated “4” placards will shine from every booth — subtle but powerful symbols of how this cause transcends the daily standings. MLB Network will dedicate special segments throughout the day, while MLB.com will offer a wide array of coverage honoring Gehrig’s legacy, amplifying the voices of ALS patients, families, and advocates who remain on the front lines.

In a special partnership with Topps, MLB will auction 30 autographed Lou Gehrig Day cards, each featuring a player selected by Sarah Langs — an MLB researcher courageously fighting ALS herself. Each card tells its own story, connecting today’s stars to Gehrig’s spirit of determination, resilience, and grace under unimaginable pressure. The funds raised will go toward the Healey & AMG Center for ALS at Mass General, among other organizations tirelessly working toward a cure.

While baseball has long supported the ALS community — from the Ice Bucket Challenge to league-wide charitable campaigns — the urgency remains as sharp today as it was when Gehrig first uttered those immortal words: "Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth." ALS remains a cruel and unforgiving disease, robbing patients of muscle control while leaving their minds intact. There is still no cure, and the need for both research and compassionate care continues to grow.

​As fans rise to their feet across America this weekend, they are not simply applauding a record or a statistic. They are honoring a man who represented everything good about the game — dignity, humility, strength, and quiet heroism. A hundred years after Gehrig first stepped between the lines, his legacy remains not just a story of baseball, but a story of humanity.