What is Lou Gehrig Day? Schedule, opponent and all festivities

The MLB will commemorate the third annual Lou Gehrig Day in June. 

Lou Gehrig stands tall in the annals of MLB history. The first baseman spent 17 years with the New York Yankees from 1923-1939. During that span, he made seven All-Star appearances, earned two MVP awards, and won seven World Series. The Yankees are what they are today because of Lou Gehrig.

The Yankees legend is also known, unfortunately, for the illness that cut his life far too short. He battled ALS, a degenerative muscle disease, and tragically passed away in 1941.

The MLB will host the third annual Lou Gehrig day this season to honor Gehrig’s remarkable career and raise awareness for those with ALS today.

When is MLB’s Lou Gehrig Day?

The MLB will hold Lou Gehrig Day on Friday, June 2nd. All MLB teams playing Friday will be incorporated into the special commemoration.

What is Lou Gehrig Day?

June 2nd marks the day Lou Gehrig became starting first baseman for the New York Yankees, the beginning of a historic games played streak. It also marks the day of his tragic passing in 1941. The MLB uses the day to honor Gehrig’s legacy and raise awareness for ALS, the disease that killed Gehrig.

From the official MLB statement:

"“Lou Gehrig Day, held annually on June 2nd, marks the day Gehrig became the starting first baseman for the New York Yankees, the beginning of his incredible streak of consecutive games played. It is also solemnly remembered as the day he passed from complications of ALS. Through Lou Gehrig Day, MLB will celebrate the groups and individuals who have led in the pursuit for cures, honor those who are bravely living with ALS, and remember all those whose lives have been lost to this disease.”"

Per the league, MLB Network will commemorate Gehrig with special tribute videos throughout the day. Broadcasters will also wear pins and shirts supporting the fight against ALS. At 1 PM E.T., MLB Network will re-air the 2015 documentary Iron Knight: Lou Gehrig. At 10 PM E.T., the Yankees vs. Dodgers game will air live.

Broadcast booths across the league will be adorned with wooden “A Langs Stars,” which will also be available for fans to purchase — with all proceeds benefiting Project ALS on behalf of Sarah Langs, an MLB researcher currently battling ALS.

On the field, players and managers will wear special “Lou Gehrig Day” patches.

MLB schedule on Lou Gehrig Day

• Milwaukee Brewers at Cincinnati Reds, 5:10 PM E.T.
• Oakland Athletics at Miami Marlins, 6:40 PM E.T.
• Philadelphia Phillies at Washington Nationals, 7:05 PM E.T.
• St. Louis Cardinals at Pittsburgh Pirates, 7:05 PM E.T.
• Tampa Bay Rays at Boston Red Sox, 7:10 PM E.T.
• Toronto Blue Jays at New York Mets, 7:10 PM E.T.
• Seattle Mariners at Texas Rangers, 8:05 PM E.T.
• Colorado Rockies at Kansas City Royals, 8:10 PM E.T.
• Detroit Tigers at Chicago White Sox, 8:10 PM E.T.
• Los Angeles Angels at Houston Astros, 8:10 PM E.T.
• Cleveland Guardians at Minnesota Twins, 8:10 PM E.T.
• Atlanta Braves at Arizona Diamondbacks, 9:40 PM E.T.
• Chicago Cubs at San Diego Padres, 9:40 PM E.T.
• New York Yankees at Los Angeles Dodgers, 10:10 PM E.T.
• Baltimore Orioles at San Francisco Giants, 10:15 PM E.T.