Honoring Lou’s Legacy: Phi Delta Theta Celebrates the 2026 Lou Gehrig Memorial Award
Every June 2, the ALS community and Major League Baseball pause to honor one of the game’s greatest legends—and one of Phi Delta Theta’s own. Lou Gehrig Day is a chance to celebrate the courage, humility, and perseverance that defined Lou’s life, and to make sure his legacy continues to change the lives of those affected by ALS.
This year, Phi Delta Theta partnered once again with the Live Like Lou Foundation and the Permobil Foundation to honor the finalists and nominees for the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award and to surprise five families facing ALS with custom team-branded Permobil wheelchairs. Across six Major League ballparks, players, fans, and families came together to spread ALS awareness in honor of Phi Delta Theta brother Lou Gehrig.
The 2026 Lou Gehrig Memorial Award Finalists and Nominees
Phi Delta Theta presents the award annually to a Major League Baseball player who best exemplifies the giving character of Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig. The award was first presented in 1955 and is permanently maintained at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York.
Kansas City Royals — Bobby Witt Jr.
Phi Delta Theta Fraternity proudly presented the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award to Kansas City Royals star Bobby Witt Jr., recognizing not only his excellence on the field, but the character and leadership he displays off of it. The Fraternity presents this award annually in honor of our dear brother, Lou Gehrig, whose legacy continues to inspire generations through courage, humility, and service to others.
While the award celebrates one of Major League Baseball’s outstanding players, it also gives the brotherhood the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the ALS community.
In partnership with the Live Like Lou Foundation and the Permobil Foundation, lifelong Royals fan Jack Stanley, who is living with ALS, was celebrated on the field and gifted a custom Kansas City Royals-branded Permobil wheelchair. Jack recently retired after a thirty-eight-year career in education in Iola, Kansas, and his family joined him at the game to celebrate. Joined on the field was Jack’s family and members of Phi Delta Theta’s General Council.
Seattle Mariners — J.P. Crawford
Phi Delta Theta was proud to celebrate Lou Gehrig Day with the Seattle Mariners to recognize shortstop J.P. Crawford as a finalist for the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award.
As a finalist for the award, and in partnership with the Live Like Lou Foundation and the Permobil Foundation, Crawford joined us on the field to surprise a Mariners fan living with ALS with a custom Seattle Mariners-branded Permobil wheelchair.
Ryan Riddick is a lifelong Mariners fan and devoted ALS advocate whose resilience has defined his journey since his ALS diagnosis in 2013. After returning to Spokane in 2018 to be near family, Ryan adapted to full-time care with courage, perspective, and humor. In 2021, Matt’s Place Foundation transformed his quality of life through accessible housing and assistive technology. Ryan shares daily life with Maverick, his loyal rescue dog and trained service partner.
Houston Astros — Josh Hader
Six-time MLB All-Star Josh Hader has built a reputation as one of baseball’s most dominant relievers, but his impact reaches far beyond the mound. Alongside his wife, Maria, Hader has made it a priority to invest deeply in every community he calls home. Since signing with the Houston Astros in January 2024, he has quickly established himself as a difference-maker throughout the greater Houston area.
As a Lou Gehrig Memorial Award finalist, Hader joined Phi Delta Theta and the Live Like Lou Foundation on the field to surprise Ben Dennis and his family with a custom Astros-themed Permobil wheelchair at Daikin Park.
Ben Dennis is a devoted husband, proud father, and passionate sports fan. Born and raised in Houston, Ben continues to inspire family, friends, and coworkers through his faith, spirit, and determination to keep fighting following his ALS diagnosis.
Cincinnati Reds — T.J. Friedl
Phi Delta Theta Fraternity was proud to recognize Cincinnati Reds outfielder TJ Friedl as a nominee for the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award. TJ Friedl has made a remarkable impact off the field through his work with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. He regularly visits patients, engages with Make-A-Wish families, and continues to use his platform to bring joy and encouragement to children. He also supports Project 150 in Las Vegas and participates in Faith, Family, and Fastballs events, while connecting with fans through Reds events, camps, and community appearances.
During Lou Gehrig Day, representatives from Phi Delta Theta and the Live Like Lou Foundation took the field to honor TJ’s nomination and present a scholarship for a local Reds fan affected by ALS. McKenzie Kemper, who was unable to attend the game, is a sophomore at Northern Kentucky University. During her time in college, McKenzie has endured the unexpected loss of her mother, Tootie, and became the primary caregiver for her father, Bo, following his ALS diagnosis in 2024. for her father Bo following his ALS diagnosis in 2024. Despite these challenges, she returned to school with renewed purpose, aiming for a master’s degree and advocating for those affected by ALS while balancing academics, caregiving, and personal growth.
Detroit Tigers — Tarik Skubal
Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal was honored as a Lou Gehrig Memorial Award finalist. After unanimously winning the American League Cy Young Award and capturing the pitching Triple Crown in 2024, Tarik Skubal has continued to prove that his excellence extends far beyond the mound. While he remains one of baseball’s most dominant arms for the Detroit Tigers, Skubal and his wife, Jessica, have become deeply invested in strengthening the Detroit community. The Skubals are committed supporters of the Detroit Tigers Foundation and Alternatives for Girls, an organization dedicated to empowering homeless and at-risk young women through housing, prevention, and support services. Skubal joined the Live Like Lou Foundation and the Permobil Foundation on the field to present a gift to a local fan.
Tigers fan Scott Chappell, known for his infectious personality and lifelong work helping others find mobility solutions, received a custom Tigers-themed wheelchair and continues to inspire everyone around him following his 2020 ALS diagnosis.
New York Mets — Francisco Lindor
Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor was recognized as a Lou Gehrig Memorial Award finalist. A respected clubhouse presence for the New York Mets and a passionate humanitarian, Francisco Lindor continues to leave a lasting imprint through his dedication to education, inclusion, and service in Queens, his native Puerto Rico, and communities beyond.
Francisco Lindor joined Phi Delta Theta and the Permobil Foundation on the field to surprise Tony Ruelawith with a custom Mets-themed Permobil wheelchair at Citi Field. Tony Ruela came to America in 1969, built a successful business, and became a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and lifelong Mets fan. After retiring at sixty-six, Tony was diagnosed with ALS during the pandemic.
Extending the Impact Beyond the Major Leagues
Phi Delta Theta’s commitment to Lou’s legacy reached well beyond Major League ballparks this year, with seven Minor League Baseball Lou Gehrig Day activations. In Columbus, brothers Lincoln and William Bennett threw out the ceremonial first pitch in honor of their mother, Sara Bennett, an ALS advocate and community leader. In Frisco, the Mendoza family was honored as Phi Delta Theta’s Oklahoma State University chapter joined the celebration, and in Indianapolis, Allison Funk received a $17,040 Iron Horse Scholarship while a Purdue University research team was awarded $5,000 to advance ALS research.
Together, We Left ALS Better Than We Found It
Lou Gehrig Day is about more than remembering a legendary player and brother. It’s about creating tangible change for families facing ALS right now—and Phi Delta Theta is proud to stand behind that mission year after year.
By the numbers:
- Six Major League Baseball and seven Minor League Baseball game activations
- Five custom Permobil wheelchairs awarded to individuals living with ALS
- Three Onward Awards totaling $4,800 for students impacted by ALS
- One $17,040 Iron Horse Scholarship awarded
- One $5,000 ALS research grant awarded
- One $2,500 Quality-of-Life Grant awarded
- Thousands of fans reached with ALS awareness messaging in ballparks nationwide
Join us in celebrating Bobby Witt Jr., J.P. Crawford, Josh Hader, T.J. Friedl, Tarik Skubal, and Francisco Lindor for using their platforms to honor Lou Gehrig’s legacy—and in congratulating every family who reminded us what brotherhood looks like, on and off the field.
