MLB players wear #4 patch to honor Lou Gehrig on Lou Gehrig Day
All 30 MLB teams display a #4 patch and many wear red "4-ALS" wristbands during Lou Gehrig Day in early June to raise awareness and funds for ALS research.
Key points
- MLB’s annual Lou Gehrig Day is observed around June 2.
- Every team adds a #4 patch in Yankees font to the left chest of jerseys.
- Players and coaches often wear red "4-ALS" wristbands.
- Ballparks hold ceremonies and fundraising events for ALS.
- The tribute marks Gehrig’s jersey number and the first retired number in MLB.
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.
Your questions, answered
What does the #4 patch on MLB uniforms represent?
It honors Lou Gehrig and supports ALS awareness during Lou Gehrig Day.
When is Lou Gehrig Day observed?
It is held each year on or around June 2.
How do MLB teams show support for ALS on Lou Gehrig Day?
By wearing the #4 patch, red "4-ALS" wristbands, and hosting ceremonies and fundraising events.
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