Baseball’s Inclusive Spirit: Mets Celebrate Lou Gehrig Day with Sarah Langs

MLB.com writer and researcher Sarah Langs feted by the Mets on Lou Gehrig Day

On Lou Gehrig Day, the New York Mets honored MLB.com writer and researcher Sarah Langs, who has worked assiduously to raise awareness for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Langs was diagnosed with the disease in 2021. The Met’s honored Langs and her family by presenting her with a Mets team bat. The pregame ceremony, the interviews, and the time in Steve and Alex Cohen’s suite were not Lang’s favorite activities because she is uncomfortable being the center of attention. However, Langs relented after her diagnosis, believing that she could use her position to create a new understanding of ALS.

Langs’ Commitment to ALS Awareness

Langs’ favorite phrase “Baseball is the best!” has become so well-known that the company RotoWear emblazoned it on a T-shirt, sold it in bulk, and raised more than $57,000 for Project ALS to put towards research. Earlier this year, Langs’s close friend and fellow MLB.com writer, Mandy Bell, created a GoFundMe that raised another $105,000 for ALS research. Langs subsequently created the “Fist Bump Challenge” to generate additional awareness. MLB launched a Lou Gehrig Day auction featuring a signed bat from all 30 teams, and Langs chose the players for their connections to ALS to raise additional funds.

Lang’s Work in MLB

Mets Manager Buck Showalter and Langs met while working at ESPN, where Langs devoted her time to researching interesting statistics and uncovering nuggets to brighten the network’s Sunday Night Baseball broadcasts. Employees at the network used to send statistical queries to the Elias Sports Bureau, and those requests changed to “Ask Sarah.” Through her advocacy work, Langs is spreading a message about the commonality of ALS and the need for its cure. She hopes that more awareness will help generate funding for research and bring this underfunded disease to the spotlight.

Lang’s Committed to Being Part of the Game

For Langs, the highlight of the day was realizing that baseball seems to love her back. “The fact that baseball seems to love me back is not the goal,” she said. “It was never the point of any of this. But I’m starting to process the idea that apparently it is true. And I think that is really the highlight, is realizing that maybe I am sort of part of the game in that way as well.” Langs’ commitment to ALS research, advocacy work, and MLB stats have placed her at the center of the game, and she is using her position to bring attention to those who need it most.

Editorial: Inclusivity in Baseball

Langs’ work in baseball illustrates that baseball is not just about playing games or winning championships—it is also about creating an inclusive and supportive environment for all. Langs’ commitment to fundraising, advocacy, and awareness is an example of how every individual can use their position to make a positive impact on the world. Baseball and sports are not just about physical exercise; it is about making connections and celebrating diversity in backgrounds and experiences. Langs’ advocacy for individuals with ALS reminds us that sports can make a difference and create positive change.

Advice

Langs’ experiences serve as a lesson to all athletes, reporters, and individuals. No matter the position one holds in the sports industry, individuals have the power to make a positive impact on the world. Everyone should take a cue from Langs and use their position to create a new understanding of issues, champion effective advocacy work, and raise awareness for underfunded diseases or issues. The world is full of possibilities, and we can all make a positive impact.