You’re watching a random Tuesday night game and suddenly notice it. Every single guy on the field is wearing the same number. It’s a 4. It looks a little weird, right? Especially when the scoreboard says the batter is supposed to be #27 or #11.
Baseball is a game of tradition. It’s also a game of numbers. Usually, those numbers are tied to individual identity—think Jeter’s 2 or Ruth’s 3. But when the entire league, from the star shortstop to the guy fetching Gatorade, switches to number 4, something big is happening.
This isn't about some weird uniform glitch. It’s about Lou Gehrig.
Every year on June 2nd, Major League Baseball celebrates Lou Gehrig Day. It’s a relatively new tradition, established in 2021, but it has quickly become one of the most emotional dates on the sports calendar. It exists to honor the legacy of the "Iron Horse" and, more importantly, to keep the spotlight on the fight against ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis).
Why the Number 4 Still Matters in 2026
Lou Gehrig was the first player in MLB history to have his number retired. Before him, teams didn't really do that. They just gave the jersey to the next guy. But Gehrig was different. He played 2,130 consecutive games. He was the heartbeat of the Yankees during their most dominant era. When he was forced to retire in 1939 because of the disease that now bears his name, the Yankees decided no one else should ever wear his 4.
Fast forward to today. When you see MLB wearing 4, it’s a symbolic "un-retiring" of the jersey for one day. It’s a way for the modern game to connect with a legend whose career was cut short at age 36. Honestly, it’s a bit haunting to see a field full of 4s. It reminds fans that while the players look like superheroes, they’re susceptible to the same devastating illnesses as anyone else.
The choice of June 2nd isn't random. It marks two massive milestones in Gehrig’s life. First, it’s the anniversary of the day he became the Yankees’ starting first baseman in 1925, kicking off that legendary streak. Sadly, it’s also the day he passed away in 1941.
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The Impact Beyond the Jersey
Wearing a patch or a jersey is great for photos, but MLB actually puts some muscle behind this. The league uses the day to raise millions for ALS research. Organizations like the ALS Association, I AM ALS, and the Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS at Massachusetts General Hospital are front and center.
You’ll see families affected by the disease throwing out first pitches. It’s heavy. It’s real. If you’ve ever seen a person living with ALS try to grip a baseball, you realize why this matters so much more than a batting average.
The "Iron Horse" nickname wasn't just marketing. Gehrig played through broken fingers, back spasms, and every kind of ache you can imagine. He was indestructible until he wasn't. That’s the irony that makes the #4 tribute so poignant. Even the toughest man in the world couldn't beat ALS.
The Details You Might Miss on TV
If you look closely at the uniforms during Lou Gehrig Day, it's not just the number 4 that changed. Most players wear a special "4-ALS" patch. It’s usually red, white, and blue, and it's pinned to the chest or the sleeve.
Managers and coaches wear it too. Even the umpires get involved.
Some players take it a step further. You’ll see custom cleats with Gehrig’s face or his famous "Luckiest Man" speech lyrics scrawled on the side. These items are often auctioned off after the game, with every cent going toward finding a cure. It's one of the few times a year where the cutthroat competition of the NL West or the AL East takes a backseat to something human.
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Why June 2nd?
A lot of fans ask why we don't just do this on his birthday or the day he gave his speech. Well, Gehrig’s "Luckiest Man" speech happened on July 4th. That’s already a massive day for baseball and the country. By picking June 2nd, MLB ensures that Gehrig’s legacy gets its own dedicated space without competing with fireworks and hot dog eating contests.
It’s also worth noting that Gehrig isn’t the only one honored. Many teams use the day to remember local heroes or former players who battled ALS. For example, the San Francisco Giants often use the occasion to honor Stephen Piscotty’s mother, Gretchen, or former scout Bruce Billings. It makes a national event feel very local and personal.
Misconceptions About the Number 4 Tribute
Some people get confused and think the players are wearing 4 for Jackie Robinson. That’s a common mistake, but Jackie is number 42. His day is in April.
Others think it’s a tribute to Bobby Richardson or some other great who wore the number. Nope. On June 2nd, it is 100% about the man who played first base in the Bronx for 17 seasons.
Another misconception is that this has been happening forever. It really hasn't. While individual teams did ALS events for years, the league-wide "everyone wears 4" or the uniform "4-ALS" patch initiative is a product of the 2020s. It was a grassroots push led by the ALS community that finally got the commissioner’s office to say, "Yeah, we need to do this everywhere."
The Science the Number 4 Represents
When we talk about MLB wearing 4, we’re talking about the search for a cure. ALS is a neurodegenerative disease. It attacks the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Eventually, the brain loses the ability to control muscle movement.
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For an athlete, this is a particularly cruel fate.
In 1939, doctors at the Mayo Clinic didn't have much to offer Gehrig. Today, things are different. We have drugs like Relyvrio (though it has faced regulatory hurdles) and Qalsody. Research is moving faster than ever. When the league wears that number, they are essentially funding the scientists who are trying to make sure no one ever has to give a retirement speech like Gehrig’s again.
What the Speech Really Meant
We’ve all heard the "luckiest man on the face of the earth" line. It’s iconic. But if you read the whole transcript, Gehrig spent most of the time thanking his teammates, his rivals, and even the groundskeepers.
That spirit of "team first" is why the number 4 resonates. Baseball is a grind. 162 games. Travel. Injuries. Gehrig did it better than anyone for longer than anyone. Seeing 750 active players wearing his number is a tip of the cap to that work ethic.
How to Support the Cause Beyond the Game
If the sight of the #4 on the field moved you, there are actual things you can do. You don't have to be a pro athlete to help.
- Donate directly: Skip the middleman and give to I AM ALS or the ALS Association. They fund the actual clinical trials.
- Check the Auctions: MLB Auctions often sells the game-worn "4-ALS" jerseys. They aren't cheap, but the money goes to the right place.
- Education: Learn the early signs of ALS. Weakness in a limb, slurred speech, or muscle cramps can sometimes be the first indicators. Early diagnosis is key for entering clinical trials.
- Advocate: Reach out to local representatives about funding for rare disease research. The ACT for ALS was a huge legislative win, but the momentum needs to keep going.
The next time June 2nd rolls around and you see the screen filled with that blocky, classic number 4, you'll know it's not just a uniform choice. It’s a 100-year-old story that is still being written. It’s a reminder that even the strongest among us need a team behind them.
Baseball is just a game, but sometimes the numbers on the back of the jersey tell a much bigger story about survival and hope. Keep an eye on the schedule; when the "Iron Horse" returns to the diamond through the players of today, it's the most important game of the year.