Special illuminated star will be hanging in broadcast booth during Royals game Friday

Eighty-two years ago today, Yankees legend Lou Gehrig died from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and a sad fact remains.

“If (Lou Gehrig) were diagnosed today, his prognosis would be very similar to what it would be today,” Lou Gehrig Day committee member Phil Green told MLB.com. “We’re doing this so that people diagnosed tomorrow or five years from now have a much better prognosis. I really appreciate the baseball community embracing our community.”

Friday is Lou Gehrig Day around Major League Baseball, and activities are planned to increase awareness for the neurological disease and raise money to find a cure.

In the Bally Sports Kansas City broadcast booth, a special illuminated star will be on display. It’s called a Langs Star in honor of MLB.com researcher/writer Sarah Langs, who last year revealed she was diagnosed with ALS.

“There will be a Langs Star hanging in every broadcast booth across the major leagues,” MLB Network broadcaster Jon Morosi said in a video shared on Twitter. “These illuminated stars will be auctioned off for charity in support of ALS research and Project ALS after this year’s Lou Gehrig Day.”

You can purchase one of the stars and support ALS research by visiting this website.

The Royals have been active in the fight against ALS. The team has shown support for Sarah Nauser, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2018. The players often wear T-shirts in support of Nauser, who is a lifelong fan of the team.

Additionally, Royals Hall of Famer George Brett joins golf legend Tom Watson each year at the Joe McGuff ALS Golf Classic. That’s named for the former Kansas City Star editor who passed away in 2006 from ALS.