If you’ve noticed every Major League Baseball player wearing a prominent number patch on their uniform, it’s not just a style choice—it’s a powerful tribute. The #4 patch honors Lou Gehrig, the legendary New York Yankees first baseman, as part of MLB’s annual Lou Gehrig Day, held every year on or around June 2.
This league-wide tradition is designed to raise awareness and funds for ALS, the neurodegenerative disease that claimed Gehrig’s life and now bears his name. The date is significant: June marks both the anniversary of Gehrig’s first game in his iconic consecutive-games streak (1925) and the day he passed away from ALS (1941).
All 30 MLB teams participate by wearing the #4 patch—styled in the Yankees’ classic font and colors—on the upper left chest of their jerseys. Many players and coaches also sport red “4-ALS” wristbands, and ballparks host special ceremonies, videos, and fundraising events for ALS research.
The number was Gehrig’s jersey number and the first ever retired in MLB history, making this tribute both a nod to baseball tradition and a rallying cry for a cause bigger than the game itself.
