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MLB Hall of Fame opens exhibit spotlighting ALS

By Benjamin Chase

NEW YORK - JULY 04: First base, dedicated to the disease Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) often referred to as 'Lou Gehrig's Disease' is seen prior to the game between the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays on July 4, 2009 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)
NEW YORK - JULY 04: First base, dedicated to the disease Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) often referred to as 'Lou Gehrig's Disease' is seen prior to the game between the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays on July 4, 2009 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) /
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Many know ALS because of Lou Gehrig, but an exhibit at the MLB Hall of Fame will help to spread more awareness.

On July 4, 1939, Lou Gehrig made one of the most iconic speeches in baseball history. His speech relayed how he would have to leave the game he loved due to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or ALS. ALS would become known as “Lou Gehrig’s disease” because of the popularity of this speech and the ability of people to relate to the speech and understand the rarity and severity of the disease.

What is ALS?

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ALS is a disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spine. Slowly, progressively, the person’s body will weaken and be unable to control voluntary muscle movements. This eventually takes away a person’s ability to walk, talk, eat and even breathe on their own. Typically, ALS first strikes a person between 40 and 70 years of age. (All information summarized from the ALS Association website.)

In recent years, there have been some significant developments in treatment of the disease. The ALS ice bucket challenge became a social media hit, raising significant funds for research toward the disease, and one of the original founders of that movement, Pete Frates, has been very involved with the new display that will happen at the MLB Hall of Fame. Pete and his family were able to be the first to see the new display this past weekend and spoke with MLB.com about the experience.

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While Lou Gehrig and Pete may get much of the attention, Catfish Hunter was also diagnosed with ALS, receiving the diagnosis in 1998, just a year before his untimely death at age 53. Hopefully, the new display at the Hall of Fame with partnership from MLB can help to continue to raise money toward research for treatment and someday a cure for this debilitating disease.

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