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| - Major League Baseball will pay tribute to New York Yankees legend Lou Gehrig with an annual celebration of the 1920s and 1930s star who died of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Every June 2 starting this season will be "Lou Gehrig Day" across MLB, the league announced Thursday, with league-wide events recalling the Hall of Fame first baseman and raising awareness of ALS, the disease that took his life and became known as "Lou Gehrig's disease" to Americans. June 2 was chosen in part because it marks the day in 1925 that Gehrig became the Yankees starting first baseman, after Wally Pipp asked out with a headache, and launched a streak of 2,130 consecutive games played -- a run that earned Gehrig his "Iron Horse" nickname. It was also the day he died in 1941 at age 37 of ALS, having retired from MLB in 1939. The Yankees captain pulled himself out of the lineup to end his streak due to fatigue, leading doctors to diagnose his condition. Gehrig retired from the Yankees with six World Series titles, seven All-Star nods, 493 home runs, 1,995 runs batted in, 1,888 runs scored and a 1934 Triple Crown of the American League batting average, homer and RBI titles. His record games streak was broken by Cal Ripken Jr. in 1995. Gehrig's goodbye came in an emotional July 4 farewell to a standing ovation at Yankee Stadium in an iconic speech where the dying talisman declared himself "the luckiest man on the face of the Earth" and was in tears when hugged by teammate Babe Ruth. ALS is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. People afflicted lose their ability to walk, talk, eat and, eventually, breathe and there is no cure. "Major League Baseball is thrilled to celebrate the legacy of Lou Gehrig, whose humility and courage continue to inspire our society," said MLB commissioner Rob Manfred in a statement. "We look forward to honoring all the individuals and families, in baseball and beyond, who have been affected by ALS and hope Lou Gehrig Day advances efforts to defeat this disease." In addition to recalling the legacy of Gehrig, the day will be marked by fundraising for research on an ALS cure and celebrating those who have worked to find one. All players, managers and coaches will wear a special uniform patch with special wristbands to be worn during games, both bearing the 4-ALS logo incorporating Gehrig's jersey number, which the Yankees retired. MLB also honors two other players with special days during its six-month season, Roberto Clemente for his humanitarian efforts and racial pioneer Jackie Robinson, the first black player in the major leagues. js/
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