A former professional lacrosse goalkeeper turned Mater Dei High School coach threw the honorary first pitch before Sunday’s Dodgers game as part of Major League Baseball’s commemoration of Lou Gehrig Day.
Johnny Rodriguez was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease last Oct. 20 at the age of 35. The diagnosis prompted him to step down as the Monarchs’ boys’ lacrosse coach, but he remains in the program as the assistant coach and camp coordinator.
Following his diagnosis, Rodriguez created Athletes vs. ALS, a fundraising effort benefiting Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS, a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding innovative research to find effective treatments and ultimately a cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
“A good athlete has strong character with great values, a relentless work ethic, and is viciously competitive,” said Rodriguez, who was selected as National Goalie of the Year in 2011 as a Salisbury University senior when he helped the Sea Gulls to the NCAA Division III championship. He then played for five Major League Lacrosse teams from 2012-19.
“What better way to attack this thing and raise money with a group of these individuals?”
On Lou Gehrig Day, MLB seeks to raise awareness and funds for ALS research and celebrate the work of groups and individuals who have led in the pursuit for cures and remember the legacy of Gehrig and the others who have died from the incurable progressive disease, which attacks nerve cells that control muscles throughout the body.
All players, managers and coaches wore a special “4” decal on the upper left chest of their uniforms designed in the New York Yankee uniform color and font to honor Gehrig and acknowledge 2024 as the fourth annual Lou Gehrig Day.
There were also commemorative base jewels and lineup cards. Red “4-ALS” wristbands were available to be worn in-game commemorating Gehrig’s uniform number.
MLB is conducting a special charitable auction at www.mlb.com/lgdayauction featuring commemorative one-of-a-kind MLB authenticated autographed Lou Gehrig Day Topps Now cards of one player from each of the 30 MLB teams, including Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts and Angels outfielder Mike Trout.
Bidding will conclude June 12 at 5 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time.
Each player was selected by MLB researcher and analyst Sarah Langs through a connection to Gehrig from their passion for the game, unique statistical connection or support for the ALS community.
Langs was diagnosed with ALS in 2021.
Proceeds will benefit the Massachusetts General Hospital-based Healey & AMG Center for ALS, which is seeking to discover life-saving therapies for the estimated 500,000 people worldwide affected by ALS.
An illuminated “4” was on display at all broadcast booths commemorating those in the fight against ALS and to serve as a unifying beacon of hope, according to MLB.
June 2 was chosen as the date for Lou Gehrig Day to mark the date in 1925 when he became the Yankees’ starting first baseman, the second game of his longtime-record 2,130-game consecutive games played streak after being a pinch-hitter the previous game, and the date in 1941 when he died, 17 days before what would have been his 38th birthday.
There are no cures for ALS or effective treatments to stop its progression, but there are some treatments that slow its progression. People receive the same terminal prognosis Sunday that Gehrig did in 1939.
ALS causes the progressive degeneration of motor neurons, resulting in muscle weakness and atrophy. There is an urgent need to understand the biology of ALS and to develop effective therapies.
The average cost of care for those with ALS often provide a significant financial burden.
A fundraiser to assist Rodriguez’s family has been established on the GoFundMe platform at www.gofundme.com/f/we-believe-in-jrodstrong03.