ARLINGTON, Texas – Texas Rangers catcher Jonah Heim caught the first pitch of Friday’s game from his mother-in-law in commemoration of Lou Gehrig Day.
Hillary Prince threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Prince was diagnosed with Bulbar Onset ALS three years ago and continues to fight for a cure.
Heim was not in the starting lineup Friday, but came in late in the 2-0 win over the Seattle Mariners. He was back behind the plate for the second game of the series Saturday.
MLB recognized Gehrig, the New York Yankees Hall of Famer who died of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in 1941, on Friday. The disease has come to be known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
The disease ended Gehrig’s record 2,130-game streak of games played as he retired in 1939.
According to ALS.org, ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. It has no cure.
MLB has designated June 2 as Lou Gehrig Day since 2021.
On Friday, MLB also recognized Sarah Langs, an MLB Network research and analyst who announced last October that she was diagnosed with ALS in 2021. Langs participated in pregame ceremonies on Friday with the New York Mets.
Langs and other notable MLB players and personnel are participating in an effort to raise money for ALS research and to find a cure. Donations are accepted at projectals.org.
More From SI’s Inside The Rangers:
- Texas Rangers New Nike City Connect Jersey Pay Homage to Dallas-Fort Worth
- Texas Rangers in Play to Sing Shohei Ohtani
- Arlington Mayor Says Rougned Odor ‘Punch’ Mural to Stay
- Texas Rangers Clubhouse ‘Insane’ Says Reliever
- Texas Rangers MVP in 2023?
- Predicting Texas Rangers 2023 Record
- Jose Altuve Injury Potentially Helps Texas Rangers Playoff Chances
- MLB Plan for Television Texas Rangers
- Bally Sports Southwest to Televise Nearly All Rangers Games
- Texas Rangers Unveil Exciting New Ballpark Food
More must-reads: