New York Yankees legend Lou Gehrig became a well-known figure in the MLB universe not only because of his excellent and impeccable career, but also because of the disease that affected his latter days as a player and ended his life in 1941.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as the Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a neurodegenerative disease in which motor neurons, the ones that control voluntary muscles, are lost progressively.
That disease has been affecting MLB reporter and stats expert Sarah Langs since 2021.
In a touching tribute from a baseball woman to another, but especially from one friend to another, Cleveland Guardians insider Mandy Bell talked about Langs, their shared interest, her disease, and a burning love for baseball.
“My Friend Sarah” –@MandyBell02
#LouGehrigDay pic.twitter.com/UOffl666rb— MLB (@MLB) June 2, 2023
After getting to know Langs a few years ago, Bell said that “it didn’t take me long to realize she is the definition of a baseball nerd — something I think Gehrig would love about her. If you have ever found yourself watching a game and thought, ‘I wonder the last time this happened?’ Sarah already had the answer four innings ago, just sitting there ready to tweet it.”
Bell also talks about their careers, Gehrig, and how there are some ties between the Yankees Hall of Famer and Langs.
Per Bell, Langs has incredible grace, class, and dignity even in the toughest challenge of her life.
Langs, according to Bell, “knows she probably won’t see the cure for ALS in her lifetime, but she’s determined to raise funds to support the research it takes to find that cure, so others don’t have to have as devastating of an outlook as she has.”
Bell takes us in an incredible journey about friendship, toughness, selflessness, and love.
And baseball, of course, seen through the lens of a special relationship.