ALS Awareness Weekend
For more than 70 years, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and baseball have been connected through the dignity and grace of Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig.
Known as Lou Gehrig’s disease following the diagnosis of the Yankees star first baseman seven decades ago, ALS continues to afflict about 30,000 people in the United States. Hall of Fame pitcher Jim “Catfish” Hunter also suffered from the disease, and more recently Boston College outfielder and captain Pete Frates became the face of ALS after being diagnosed in 2012.
Frates helped create the Ice Bucket Challenge in 2014, which has raised more than $220 million worldwide for ALS research. In June, Frates donated the bucket and sunglasses he used for the Ice Bucket Challenge in 2014 at Fenway Park to the Hall of Fame, along with his glove and cap from his playing days with the Eagles. They are all currently on display in the Museum’s Today’s Game exhibit. The Frates Family will also donate a ball signed by Pete Frates to the Hall of Fame during ALS Awareness Weekend.
The 2017-18 Boston College varsity team will visit Cooperstown during ALS Awareness Weekend and play two intra-squad scrimmages at historic Doubleday Field, which will be open to the public.
ALS Awareness Weekend will also feature several Museum programs, including:
Weekend Schedule
To the topSaturday, Oct. 14
11:30 a.m. – ALS Awareness Museum Program / Book Event, featuring the Frates Family and author Casey Sherman, who will discuss the book he co-authored with David Wedge: “The Ice Bucket Challenge: Pete Frates and the Fight against ALS”, Plaque Gallery
12:30 p.m. – Book signing featuring author Casey Sherman and Frates Family members for “The Ice Bucket Challenge: Pete Frates and the Fight against ALS”, Library Atrium
1 p.m. – ALS Artifact Spotlight, Bullpen Theater
2 p.m. – ALS and Baseball Museum Tour, with specific artifacts highlighted by Museum staff, Museum
3 p.m. – Intra-squad scrimmage with the Boston College varsity baseball team, Doubleday Field
Sunday, Oct. 15
11 a.m. – ALS and Baseball Plaque Tour featuring Lou Gehrig and Catfish Hunter, Plaque Gallery
1 p.m. – Intra-squad scrimmage with the Boston College varsity baseball team, Doubleday Field
1:30 p.m. – ALS and Baseball Museum Tour, with specific artifacts highlighted by Museum staff, Museum
2:30 p.m. – Screening of the movie “The Pride of the Yankees”, Bullpen Theater
All events at the Hall of Fame are included with Museum admission. There is no admission charge for the Boston College scrimmages at Doubleday Field.
