PCL1 Nashville Sounds

Sounds To Celebrate Lou Gehrig's Birthday By Creating Awareness, Support For ALS

Published on June 18, 2003 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Nashville Sounds News Release


NASHVILLE — The Nashville Sounds will celebrate what would have been New York Yankees Hall-of-Famer Lou Gehrig's 100th birthday on Thursday, June 19th by hosting a variety of recognition and fundraising activities related to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the disease that took the baseball great's life 58 years ago.

The team, in collaboration with the ALS Association of Middle Tennessee, has invited all local ALS patients and their families to the game and a pre-game picnic – free of charge – prior to the Sounds hosting the Iowa Cubs in a 5 p.m. twinbill that will make up an April 6th rainout. The teams will play two seven-inning games that evening.

The Sounds will hold a special on-field ceremony between games of the doubleheader to recognize ALS patients at the game as well as members of the ALS Association of Middle Tennessee.

In addition, the Sounds will host a silent auction of autographed baseball memorabilia during the game and donate the profits to the local ALS Association. It is estimated that the financial burden to the families of persons with ALS can be in excess of $200,000 per year.

To further celebrate Lou Gehrig's birthday and create a stronger recognition of his condition among all fans, the Sounds will distribute complimentary, limited edition Gehrig baseball cards to all fans that attend the 5 p.m. doubleheader.

ALS, more commonly known as "Lou Gehrig's disease," is a fatal neuromuscular disease that continues to strike down even the healthiest men and women in their prime. Annually, ALS is responsible for nearly two deaths per hundred thousand population and just over 5,000 people in the U.S. are newly diagnosed each year.

Gehrig's accomplishments on the field made him an authentic American hero, and his tragic early death made him a legend. "The Iron Horse," who holds several major-league and American League records, was the first athlete to have his number retired when the New York Yankees immortalized his number 4 jersey upon his retirement in 1939. For a complete biography, visit www.lougehrig.com.

Tickets to all Nashville Sounds games are available online at www.nashvillesounds.com or by calling 615-242-4371.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from June 18, 2003


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