Lou Gehrig Day 2025: Lou Gehrig Day 2025: Together, We’re Lou(d) Against ALS
Lou Gehrig Day and ALS Awareness games resonated across Major League Baseball like never before this year. Thanks to powerful partnerships with the Permobil Foundation and Phi Delta Theta, the Live Like Lou Foundation brought hope and support to families impacted by ALS in nine MLB stadiums. As part of each event, people living with ALS were surprised with custom, team-branded Permobil wheelchairs, honoring Lou Gehrig’s legacy and empowering independence.
Atlanta Braves
Chris Sale of the Atlanta Braves is this year’s recipient of the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award. The Fraternity awards it annually to a Major League Baseball player who best exemplifies the giving character of Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig. Sale received the award on June 4, 2025, in Atlanta during a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. This award was especially meaningful for Chris Sale because his grandmother died when he was six years old due to ALS. He said, “Tonight was very special for me. It was actually really cool that my mom was here too. She lived that experience with her mother, my grandmother.” Sale is the sixth Braves player to win the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award, following Warren Spahn (1961), Hank Aaron (1970), Phil Niekro (1979), Dale Murphy (1985), and John Smoltz (2005).
Ben Brandenburg, a proud UGA graduate and member of Georgia’s athletic community, was honored with a Braves-branded wheelchair sponsored by Permobil. Live Like Lou received a $10,000 donation from the Atlanta Braves Foundation.
Milwaukee Brewers
Before the Brewers’ ALS awareness game on April 19, Live Like Lou was honored at Christian Yelich’s third annual Home Plate Charity Concert, which raised over $175,000 with support from the Goo Goo Dolls and the Nicotine Dolls. Executive Director Wendy Faust took the stage to share our mission and the urgent need to support ALS families. Brewers fan Mike Seitz was surprised at American Family Field two nights later.
San Francisco Giants
The Giants honored Etzael Jimenez by presenting his family with his custom chair. Though Etzael joined via FaceTime and tragically passed away the following morning, his vibrant spirit and the love of his mother and caregivers were deeply felt. Pitcher Tristan Beck, a Lou Gehrig Memorial Award nominee, unveiled the chair in his honor.
Miami Marlins
Edil De Leon received his custom chair in a celebration filled with unity and joy from fans and families alike. A devoted father of three, special education teacher, and retired elite powerlifter, Edil has dedicated his life to supporting children with autism. He once ranked among the top US middleweights, winning four Puerto Rican National Championships. Now facing ALS, he leads with strength, raising awareness, inspiring others, and showing what it means to live with purpose.
As a Lou Gehrig Memorial Award nominee, Declan was allowed to do something meaningful for a local ALS family, and honoring Edil was the perfect fit.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Jason Ramirez, a beloved high school softball coach and lifelong Dodgers fan, was recognized by Freddie Freeman during the Lou Gehrig Day ceremony at Dodger Stadium. Diagnosed with ALS following a remarkable 25–3 season and a State Coach of the Year honor, Jason received his chair in front of a roaring hometown crowd.
Kansas City Royals
Sarah Nauser Olsen, a lifelong Royals fan, ALS advocate, and former police officer, was celebrated for her strength and ongoing advocacy. Before retiring, she fulfilled a dream by serving as an officer in the Royals dugout, a moment that sparked a lasting friendship with her childhood hero, George Brett.
The evening also honored Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. as a finalist for the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award.
Chicago White Sox
Kenneth Anthony Moore Sr., a devoted father, artist, and Chicago sports superfan, inspired fans with his humor and faith as he received his new chair. He was joined by Andrew Vaughn, the team’s Gehrig Award nominee.
Boston Red Sox
Friends and family surrounded Tara Bartlett and her 101-year-old grandmother as Fenway Park cheered her on. Her chair presentation was a powerful reminder of perseverance and love in the face of ALS.
Pittsburgh Pirates
At the Pirates’ Lou Gehrig Day game, board chair Dr. Chris W. Brussalis presented William Lemmon with an Onward Award and scholarship for his future studies. William, whose father is living with ALS, threw out the ceremonial first pitch.
