Major League Baseball

[BarryG]

Hello everyone. I got this email yesterday and I thought that it maybe something that forum members could take advantage of (many of you may have also received it):


Dear Barry,

This July 4th is ALS Awareness Day! In every MLB ballpark on that day, special events and activities will take place – including the reading of Lou Gehrig’s “Luckiest Man Alive” speech. Many of the teams have generously donated FREE TICKETS for ALS TDI supporters, ALS patients, their families and friends.


We are happy to offer FREE tickets to the following games (all times eastern):*

ImagePittsburg Pirates at Florida Marlins (July 4th – 6:10PM)

New York Mets at Philadelphia Phillies (July 4th – 4:05PM)

Baltimore Orioles at Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (July 4th – 9:05PM)

St. Louis Cardinals at Cincinnati Reds (July 4th – 1:10PM)

Los Angeles Dodgers at San Diego Padres (July 4th – 4:10PM)

Arizona Diamondbacks at Colorado Rockies (July 4th – 8:10PM)

San Francisco Giants at Pittsburg Pirates (July 19th – 1:35PM)

Cleveland Indians at Chicago White Sox (July 8th - 7:11PM)

*Wheelchair seating is limited and ballparks have offered a limited number to each game. Please make sure that you indicate your needs when making your request.

We have a limited number of tickets to each game and they will be issued on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please make your requests ASAP! While these tickets are being provided free of charge from participating MLB teams, we ask that you consider making a donation to ALS TDI online at www.als.net/join .

To request your FREE tickets to ALS Awareness Day at one of the above games, please Click Here.

https://www.als.net/MLB4ALS/tickets/Default.asp?utm_campaign=Free%20Tickets% 20to%20Baseball%20Games%20on%20ALS%20Awa reness%20Day%20-%20July%204th!&utm_medium=Email&utm_source=VerticalResponse&utm_term=To%20request%20your%20FREE%20ti ckets%20to%20ALS%20Awareness%20Day%20at% 20one%20of%20the%20above%20games%2C%20pl ease%20Click%20Here.

Want to Volunteer at one of these games on the 4th of July - CLICK HERE
http://als.net/

ALS TDI has been offered the chance to distribute informational materials about ALS and about our research at some of the ballparks! We need volunteers! Please click above, reply to this email, or email us directly at info@als.net to become a volunteer! All volunteers will work in shifts and will be also provided a ticket to the ball game.

The campaign, called "4♦ALS Awareness," will culminate with Gehrig's words being read at all Major League ballparks this coming July 4th. The four participating organizations are The ALS Association, ALS TDI, MDA's Augie's Quest, and Project A.L.S. MLB.com will also conduct an online auction to raise funds for the initiative. We will continue to provide you with information on this special day. Check our campaign homepage at www.als.net/mlb4als for updates on activities at parks and online auctions.

Thank you for supporting ALS reserach at ALS TDI!

Best,
Dave

David McKanna
Vice President, Development
dmckanna@als.net
617-441-7244

[hopingforcure]

Thank you so much Barry, such a thoughtful guy. I am going to the Phillies and taking some people to make a lot of noise for ALS.. I hope we have great turn-outs for ALS. I am a Lou Gehrig fanatic... It will be a moving experience.. Hope we can bring the younger generations in touch with the Iron Horse, he and Elanor were what character See the Pride of The Yankees movie if any of you have not.. Gary Cooper play's Lou, and Babe Ruth plays himself....

[rick/Wpg]

Have a great time at the game Hoping!
Great link Barry.....this is an idea that has a ton of potential!!! Bit far for us to get to a game but a fantastic concept to raise awareness!!!
Maybe we can get something going up here in Canada with the CFL....Canadian Football League for our friends down south ;)
Tony Proudfoot has done a real good job of raising awareness of ALS in some areas up here. He played with Montreal and was then an announcer till his voice went with the disease. Here is a link to the ALS site thsast has some info on him
http://www.sla-quebec.ca/en/tony_proudfoot_fund/introduction.php

Rick

[hopingforcure]

Rick,
thank you, we will make everyone around us be sure to care about als..
thank you for the link, seems like a great guy.
I think the CFL would be a great idea. OJ Brigadance played for the CFL before he came to the Ravens, he would probably have some really go contacts in the CFL.. .. I spoke to him through his assistant seems like a great man.

[BarryG]

Great idea Rick, I would love to see a football game! And especially when it would help to promote the awareness of ALS in the general population. I think that I will start telling everyone that I have ALS or Tony Proudfoot's disease. I remember him when helped the Alouettes win the Grey Cup in 1977 against "my team", the Edmonton Eskimos. He was the guy who used a staple gun on his shoes to get extra traction on the icy field. Note to American friends: We Canadians don't let a little thing like ice and snow get in the way of our sports (although I have to admit that a good many if not most of the CFL players are American). I wonder how he is doing? I am going to send him an email and let him know about the free baseball game and see if he can help make the free football game idea happen. Maybe the national ALS society could do something about this idea, I'll send them an email too!

Barry

[mare]

Hoping-

We are going to the Phillies/Mets game, too!

Back in Feb./March when this was first talked about, my husband said he thought it would be fun to go to a game. I checked and saw the Phillies (aka WORLD CHAMPIONS) had a home game. So, talked it over with my sons and decided to throw Jim a birhtday party in July! (his birhtday is in Sept.!)

We will have 32 family members; should be a great time!
And, hopefully, lots of publicity for ALS!

[hopingforcure]

Mare how awesome. How special, you seem like such a great wife.. I think we will make them give us publicity huh? You are surely proving to be a helpful, caring, and kind Cals, and a great member of our family forum.. Go PHILLIES... GO MLB... Thank you LOU...

[rick/Wpg]

Hey....do I see a bit of a 'Phillie' bias developing here????
Barry....go for it! I think this could really work up here...we could get all the provincial ALS societies working on it too.....I remember the 'staple game' As a westerner I was pulling for the Eskies too!
Rick

[ZenArcher]

Hoping and mare, are you going to the Phillies Phestival this Monday the 22nd?

[mare]

Gee, I thought all Canadians played was hockey! LOL

[joreader]

Although the SD Padres are not mentioned, I will be representing ALS TDI on July 4th and may have few tickets for ALS patients/family.
joreader

[mare]

Jeff,
My husband is going with my son; my son wants to meet the team members in the media center! Me, not so much!

[BarryG]

Gee, I thought all Canadians played was hockey! LOL

Mare, you're right, hockey is king in this country but we have to have something to do in the summer and fall. At least with hockey ice is a requirement not an obstacle! I hope that everyone who goes to a game has a good time.

[hopingforthebest]

Hi Barry

THANK YOU FOR THAT SPECIAL OFFER!! I am so hoping we get tickets so we can show off his fancy bipap case that we bungee cord to the back of his wheelchair.

Keeping my fingers crossed~! :)

[mare]

Hi, Patty-

Hope you get the tickets for the game! Keeping my fingers crossed for you, too!

[hopingforthebest]

Thanks Mare! Me too!!

On a postive note, I already noted it on my calendar for July 4!! Will let you know for sure.

Patty:razz:

[brendapals]

Thanks so much for this info, I'm hoping we get tickets to see the game in Cincinnati-my boys would be so excited, and my hubby turns 50 on the 2nd, so I'm also crossing fingers!
hugs,
brenda

[linray]

HI Barry,
What no tickets to the Yankees game? Lou was a Yankee after all!!!

[hopingforcure]

Jeff,
No I am not going to the festival, my son has testing for high-school, he is going to be a freshman next year..
Our you going? I think it sound's like fun. Take pictures if you go.. Same with you Mare.. I think every ALS patient and family who want's to go to the game should be granted tickets..Any Yankee fan's? those tickets should be a given..
The 19th is Gehrig's birthday.

[BarryG]

Hi Lin;

Yeah, that is strange that the Yankees vs Toronto game at Yankee Stadium is not listed as it is listed on the Yankees website

http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/schedule/index.jsp?c_id=nyy&m=7&y=2009

I just went to the request tickets page and the only one that is in the drop down list is the Pittsburg at Florida game. I hope that I didn't get everyone's hopes up for nothing. If I did I am sorry! :oops:

[ZenArcher]

I'm going to the Phestival but not the game. Don't tell anyone but I'm not a huge baseball fan. I'm going to say thanks to the Phillies and hopefully give the people that go just to see the Phillies a glimpse of ALS. It's also the first time I get to try out my new van for any distance. I plan on getting lots of pictures.

[hopingforcure]

Jeff, that is OK, you are deserving of a good day, and it is great you are giving them a glimpse of ALS, you are one great representitive, sure a informed, super advocate, and great family man, not to mention VETERAN....(thanks). I will be waiting for the pictures. Hope the van works great. Shane V. go the ALS award for MLB this year, another guy to sick on Dick's sporting goods. Have a great time friend.

[mare]

Jeff-

"I'm not a huge baseball fan"- that's funny because my husband, in his explanation to people, says"... ALS, known as Lou Gehrig's disease- I don't even like baseball, so it must be a mistake!" haha, laugh, laugh

[kelly]

We will be attending a minor league baseball game on the 4th of July in Albany, NY. . My husband will go out to the mound with my two boys (5) and (7) and they will throw the first pitch. They are going to have all sorts of ALS awareness posted on the video monitors. Andrew will also be interviewed by the Times Union next week....we are both nervous...so much to say...here is our chance!

[hopingforcure]

Kelly,
Oh wow, awesome.. Just be yourself, you guys wll be a awesome voice for als.. Thank you... that is so cool, the first pitch, what a memory, your boys will make you so proud. you are a super cals.. good luck with the interview, and again thank you:razz::razz::razz:

[linray]

Hi Barry,
We were contacted by the ALS Assoc asking if we wanted to buy tickets ( at a low reduced price) but my husband doesn't think he could make the trip...it would be an all-day affair and he's not up to it. He is such a Yankee fan, I was surprised he didn't want to go. When he was born in 1951, he and his Mom had a very rare blood disease and he had to be completely transfused. The 1951 Yankees all came and gave blood for them. DiMaggio, Mantle, Berra....
Oh well, I digress.
Lin

[BarryG]

Lin, Great story! It is not everyone who can say that "Joltin" Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, and Yogi Berra gave blood for them. You can digress anytime that you want, I don't mind. I am sorry that your husband is not up to going, is the game televised? Not the same as being there but it is something anyway!

Barry

[linray]

Barry, yes the time is televised and we plan to watch every minute at home. As you said, not the same, but something. Nothing is the same now.....

[ZenArcher]

Had a great time at the Phillies Phestival. I posted some pics under my profile which I also managed to bring back online last night.

[brendapals]

Can't wait to see the game in Cincinnati Sat!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think I will contact the ALS and MDA groups nearby to see if they have an electric scooter in their loan closets. If not, I will ask the pharmacy where I worked for 22 yrs if I can borrow one.

Reminds me of the days when our boys were little, we went somewhere and thought we had taken everything but the kitchen sink!:smile::smile:
...

now it's my turn!!!:smile::smile::smile::smile:

Oh yeah Jeff-pictures at the Phillies Phest were great!!!!!!!!!

[BarryG]

Reminds me of the days when our boys were little, we went somewhere and thought we had taken everything but the kitchen sink!
...

now it's my turn!!!

Brenda, I really know what you mean! I think that ALS is our bodies un-learning how to do stuff, life in reverse :shock: I mean Benjamin Button's got nothing on me, I'm looking for one of those plastic bibs that has the trough at the bottom. I haven't found one that fits yet. AND I'm going to get my 6'2" son to carry all of my stuff around for me!

Have fun at the game!

Barry

[KeeKer]

I have sent a copy of the letter to the Winnipeg Goldeyes with the suggestion that they do the same thing. Here's hoping!

[Maureen]

I am very happy to say that I am going to be at Yankee Stadium on the 4th. Going with my brother ,sister-in-law and sister. I feel very blessed to be able to be there for this celebration. ;)
Lets hope ALS gets lots of donation from this effort.

[PDaddy]

I'll be at the Angels game on the 4th!

[mare]

Hoping-

Well, it looks like we should have a great day to "take me out to the ballgame..."!
Weather forecast looks good- not the usual heat & humidity we experience on the 4th;
now, if the Phillies can just pick-up their game and break the losing streak they are on!?!

I hope you & your family/friends have a great day; maybe we'll see each other- look for me- I'll be the one in the red, Phillies T-shirt!!! LOL

Have a great 4th everyone!
mare

[hopingforcure]

You got it Mare, you will be easy to spot... Do you think the Phillies can pull one out for ALS on Saturday. We are really excited..

[Valya]

Hello everyone. It's been a while since I was on site. When I get depressed I lay off the computer. Anyways, Johnny was invited by the MDA to participate in the July 4th, 4ALS Awareness event held at AT&T Park, which is Giants (I thought it was still Candlestick Park lol).

It was a thrilling event and very inspiring. We met so many wonderful people afflicted with ALS, caregivers and representatives from various ALS support groups.

Here is a link to the video on my youtube site: YouTube- Lou Gehrig's 4ALS Awareness at AT&T Stadium.

The young man Corey, next to Johnny on the field has an interesting story about his cane. :lol: Corey also flew down to participate in the event at the Angels staduim.

There were also two fairly well known ALS patients in the group. Jason Becker was apparently an up and coming rock n roller when he acquired ALS 20 years ago. He used eye movements intrepreted by his caregiver to communicate with Johnny. I've never seen that before and it was fascinating. He's continues writing music with eye recognition software and still puts out CDs. Carla was a well known comedian and singer when ALS came into her life. She had a film crew viding her and the events for a documentary on the impact of ALS on her's and her family's life.

Hope I can post that link here and that you enjoy it.

Valya

[Valya]

The ALS patient Matt who gave the short speech in my youtube vid was a real kick. He has invented many innovative work arounds as his ALS has progressed, including special golf shoes. One is his 'wedge' shoe and one is his 'club' shoe. He loves it when people playing with clubs are amazed to see him kicking the ball with his special golf shoes. :p He was extremely inspiring.

[hopingforcure]

Thank you so much Valya, Johnny look's great, he is such a handsome young man. I was at the Phillie's game.. Amazing day for ALS.. We need more of this.. Thank you for sharing this loving tribute.

[Valya]

Thanks Hoping. It was an exciting, thrilling, bittersweet day. So hard to see my son out on the field with ALS patients, yet I was so proud he agreed to participate with an ALS awareness event. He keeps saying he wants to remain anonomous (SP) and 'just die in a corner someday'. This was like a first step out for him.

[hopingforcure]

Valya,
I understand how Johnny feel's (totally), he did a great service for of us, he is a bright light and maybe if one person see's this fine young man stuck with this monster and they choose to react, we never know what could happen. I think at his age his reaction is completely normal, bless his heart for giving ALS a young and real face, if people do not react to Johnny, well I guess my hope for Humanity is shot..