Yankees’ Iron Horse Lou Gehrig dies in 1941 after battle with ALS - NY Daily News Lou Gehrig, Yankees’ Iron Horse, dies in 1941 after 2-year battle with ALS Yankees’ Iron Horse Lou Gehrig dies in 1941 after battle with ALS NEW YORK DAILY NEWS Lou Gehrig thanking fans on Lou Gehrig Day at Yankee Stadium shortly after retiring due to his ALS diagnosis. (Daily News) Wednesday, June 1, 2016, 12:00 PM (Originally published by the Daily News on Tuesday, June 3, 1941) Lou Gehrig, the New York City boy who grew up to be one of the greatest baseball stars of all time, died at 10:10 o'clock last night at his home on Delafield Ave., Fieldston, Bronx. The one-time Iron Horse first baseman of the Yankees had been suffering for more than two years with a rare disease known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which hardens the spinal column and shrivels the muscles. His disease was known to be incurable. His death, nevertheless, came with shocking suddenness.

Gehrig would have been 38 on June 19. Lou Gehrig ends own hitting streak, career at 2,130 games Physicians said Gehrig's condition grew critical about two months ago. The once powerful slugger, who propelled many home runs and game-winning hits for the Yankees through 15 brilliant years, began to waste away quickly. In a short time, he lost 25 pounds and was considerably under his 210-pound playing weight when death came. Toward the end, he was hardly able to speak above a whisper. At the bedside of the Hall of Fame hero was his wife, Eleanor, his father, Henry, his mother, Christina, his mother-in-law, Mrs. Nellie Twichell and Dr. C. B. Esseltyn. (New York Daily News Archives) The first visitor to the Gehrig home was Ed Barrow, Yankee president, who had a guiding hand in Lou's career. A spokesman for the family said that they had indications death was coming close about two weeks ago. Hundreds of telegrams of condolences from Lou's fellow players, baseball magnates and leaders in all lines of life poured into the home.

Barrow, his shaggy-browed eyes reddened, came out on the stoop of the Gehrig home at midnight and told reporters: Lou Gehrig retires from Yankees as 'the luckiest man in 1939 "This has been such a shock to me there is very little I can say. I have lost a very dear friend and I believe Lou was equally fond of me. Although his death was expected it has come as a terrific shock. ASK PRIVATE FUNERAL Lou's old team, the Yankees, are in Detroit and Barrow was asked if they will be allowed to return to New York for the funeral, which probably will be held tomorrow. Barrow said that Mrs. Gehrig had expressed a wish the funeral be as private as possible and that "it seems hardly likely that any of the players will return to New York." (New York Daily News Archives) Private funeral services for Gehrig will be held tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock in the Christ Episcopal Church, Riverdale, Bronx.

Gehrig's letter to doc expressing optimism he'd beat ALS up for auction The rare disease that caused his death brought an end to his playing career and sensational streak of 2,130 consecutive games in the Spring of '39. Later on that season, on July 4, he was honored with a "Lou Gehrig Day" at the Yankee Stadium, with 61,808 fans attending. Mayor LaGuardia appointed him to the New York City Parole Commission January 1, 1940. Lou took an active interest in his new career and was a daily visitor to his office until about two months ago when physicians urged him to remain at home to save his waning strength. Mayor LaGuardia, grieved at the news, said: "He was a fine, useful public official. His death is a loss to me and to the entire country." RECORD AMAZING (New York Daily News Archives) Gehrig's list of outstanding performances is amazing.

In addition to his consecutive game record some of his other baseball marks include the following: Scored five runs in game (June 12, 1928, May 3 and July 28, 1936); Most runs batted-in, season (league mark) - 184 (1931); Four home runs in game (consecutive) June 3, 1932; Three home runs in one game (3 times); Equaled league record for most games played by first baseman in one season - 157 (1937 and 1938); Most years leading league games played, season (8); Most years, 100 or more games, lifetime, 13; Most years 150 or more runs batted in, 7; Most consecutive years, 100 or more runs batted in, 13; Most home runs with bases filled, lifetime, 23 (1927-38). RUTH EXPRESSES SYMPATHY Babe Ruth, accompanied by his wife, arrived at Gehrig's home at 1 o'clock this morning to express his sympathy.

The former home run champion expressed deep regret at the passing of his one-time teammate. "I had known Lou since 1924 when he first came to the Yankees," said Ruth. "Our long friendship of more than fifteen years began when he returned regularly to the club in 1925. His death is a great loss to baseball and a great personal shock. "Lou was a clean ballplayer. He would never quit and was always in there fighting. He was a great hustler but maybe he hustled a little too much." Tags: What Is ALS? What Is ALS? ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) Q&A What is ALS? (the scientific answer) Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, degenerative disease of the nervous system. It is one of a group of diseases, called motor neuron diseases (MND), in which specialized nerve cells that control movement of the voluntary muscles gradually cease functioning and die. These nerve cells, called motor neurons, carry impulses from the brain to the brainstem and the spinal cord. The impulses are then carried to the muscles. The muscles respond to these messages by coordinated relaxation or contraction corresponding to willed movement. In ALS and other motor neuron diseases, motor neurons gradually deteriorate.

Because the nerve cells that stimulate them have died, the muscle tissues waste away. This results in progressive muscle weakness, atrophy, and often spasticity, or excess muscle tone. Only the motor neurons are affected. Other nerve cells, such as sensory neurons that bring information from sense organs to the brain, remain healthy. Are there other names for ALS? ALS, also known as motor neuron disease (MND), is commonly called Lou Gehrig's disease for the famous New York Yankee's baseball player who died of ALS in 1941. ALS is sometimes referred to as Charcot's disease for the French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot who identified the disease in 1869. Who gets ALS? Most who develop ALS are between 40 and 70 years of age, although the disease can strike at any age. Men are affected slightly more frequently than women. ALS occurs throughout the world regardless of racial, ethnic or socioeconomic status. Some studies have identified areas that at certain times have appeared to have greater than expected numbers of cases. This has occurred in the past in the western Pacific islands and in parts of Japan . Other areas in the continental United States have been reported but have not stood up to careful epidemiological investigations.

How common is ALS? More than 5,600 Americans are diagnosed with ALS each year or two new ALS cases per 100,000 people (incidence). Approximately 35,000 people at any given time are living with ALS in the United States or six to eight people per 100,000 population (prevalence). The incidence of ALS is close to that of multiple sclerosis and four times that of muscular dystrophy. What are the symptoms of ALS? ALS strikes people in different ways and progression of the disease is often irregular. Some of the early symptoms of ALS are: Weakness or difficulty in coordination in one limb Changes in speaking or swallowing Unusual muscle twitches, spasms, or cramps Unusual weight loss or loss of muscle bulk The symptoms and clinical features of the disease depend on the location of the affected motor neurons. Speech and swallowing impairments are called bulbar symptoms. They indicate that neurons in the brainstem are affected. Weakness of the respiratory muscles, muscle weakness, and loss of mobility in the arms and legs are called somatic symptoms. They indicate spinal cord involvement.

In classical ALS, a mixture of upper and lower motor neurons are involved, with both bulbar and somatic symptoms. Lower motor neuron symptoms Weakness and muscle wasting are common when lower motor neuron involvement predominates. The patient or physician usually notices fasciculation, or muscle twitching. Fasciculation is a sign of muscle irritability, as the normal action of the lower motor neuron on the muscle is impaired. The sole involvement of lower motor neurons can be seen in a form of ALS called progressive muscular atrophy. Fasciculation is described as "benign" if there is no muscle weakness, atrophy, or impairment of motor function. Fasciculation is described as "pathologic" when it occurs in ALS with other symptoms. Upper motor neuron symptoms Spasticity, or stiffness, in the lower limbs, face, or jaw indicates upper motor neuron involvement. Spasticity in the legs often produces severe walking difficulties. The patient may complain of heaviness, fatigue, stiffness, or lack of coordination of any affected limb. Reflexes are very brisk, or exaggerated. Outbursts of laughter or crying with minimal provocation can occur. This is called emotional lability and is referred to as a pseudo-bulbar affect.

Both brisk reflexes and emotional lability involve the inability to inhibit reflexes. How is ALS diagnosed? The diagnosis of ALS is a "clinical diagnosis," meaning there is no specific test that gives a definitive answer. Before a diagnosis of ALS is confirmed, many tests must be administered to rule out illnesses with symptoms that may mimic ALS. These may include an MRI of the brain or spinal cord, an electromyography (EMG) study of nerve and muscle function and a variety of blood and urine tests. By evaluating these tests, the patient's medical history and performing a complete neurological exam, the neurologist can usually reach a definitive diagnosis. It is always recommended that patients seek a second opinion by a neurologist experienced with ALS in order to decrease the possibility of an incorrect diagnosis. In some cases a definitive diagnosis can be made only after several months of observation and retesting. What is the prognosis of ALS? ALS progresses at different rates in each individual. The average survival for someone affected by ALS is three to five years. A small percentage of people have a very slow progression and live 10-20 years with the illness at various levels of disability.

Weakness of the bulbar and somatic muscles produces a decline in speech, swallowing, and limb strength and function. The ALS patient usually remains alert throughout the course of the illness and retains normal sensation, vision, and bowel function. Bladder function is impaired in 1% of patients. Generally, ALS is not a physically painful condition. Discomfort can result from immobility and joint contractures, a shortening of muscles resulting in deformity. While most patients do not have loss of intellectual function, some may have subtle changes in mood, behavior, or personality. In a small minority of patients, more significant changes in behavior and judgment suggest a form of dementia. Each ALS patient is unique in regard to the rate and characteristics of the progression of the disease. The Lois ALS Center provides a multidisciplinary approach to patient care, including an individualized treatment plan guided by the patient's personal preferences and wishes. Although the clinical progression can vary greatly, 50 percent of those diagnosed will succumb to the illness within five years of the onset of symptoms What causes ALS? It is likely that there are several different causes of ALS. Two genes have been identified that cause familial ALS. The causes of sporadic forms of ALS are still unknown.

One hypothesis is that a group of gene mutations inherited together predispose one to ALS such that a threshold is formed. Environmental factors may "push" someone over the threshold so that ALS symptoms occur. Both the predisposing genes and environmental factors are unknown at this time. Is there any treatment for ALS? Many of the symptoms of ALS are treatable, but there are no drugs available to cure the disease. Rilutekï¿½, the first FDA-approved medication for the treatment of ALS, has been shown to modestly increase lifespan. Since it became available in 1996, two retrospective studies presented at the 12th International Symposium on ALS/MND in 2001 indicated that Rilutekï¿½ appears to have a greater impact on life expectancy than was reported in initial drug trials. The quality of life of patients with ALS can often be improved by various treatments and interventions. Proper positioning, exercise, physiotherapy, and medications can help keep patients comfortable. Patients with significant bulbar involvement may require help to improve communication or ensure safe and adequate nutrition.

A gastrostomy (feeding) tube may be suggested if there is recurrent pneumonia, high risk of aspiration (inhaling food or liquids into the lungs), inadequate nutrition, rapid weight loss, or extended feeding time. A wide range of devices and techniques can address problems with communication. Ultimately, ALS may result in respiratory decline, requiring consideration of respiratory support, including non-invasive ventilation such as a BiPAP (bilevel positive airway pressure), or a tracheostomy and a ventilator. Is ALS inherited? Familial (genetic) ALS accounts for 10% of all ALS cases. ALS is considered familial if there are two or more cases within the same bloodline. If no family history exists, the disease is termed sporadic and other family members are not thought to be at increased risk for developing the disease. Are there diseases similar to ALS? Although it is the most serious, ALS is one of a number of diseases affecting the nerve cell, or motor neuron. Some involve only upper motor neurons, which run from the motor cortex of the brain to the brain stem and/or spinal cord. Others involve lower motor neurons, which run from the brain stem and spinal cord to muscles.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) SMA variations include childhood forms and a less frequent adult form, which involves only the lower motor neurons. Inheritance of adult SMA is autosomal recessive. Symptoms are generalized weakness and muscle wasting with muscle twitching. Onset is over 18 years into adulthood with variable progression and normal life expectancy. Primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) PLS, a degenerative disease of the upper motor neurons only, has symptoms of progressive spasticity, difficulty in walking, and pseudobulbar affect. PLS affects the trunk, extremities and bulbar muscles. PLS is not considered to shorten life expectancy as it has a slow progression over the course of approximately 20 years. Because ALS may initially present with signs of only upper motor neuron involvement, a diagnosis of PLS has the potential to be reclassified as ALS if sufficient signs of upper and lower motor neuron involvement are present. Spinal bulbar muscular atrophy (Kennedy's Disease) Symptoms are weakness and muscle wasting of the bulbar muscles (throat and mouth) and skeletal muscles. Facial and muscle jumping is common; breast development, infertility and testicular wasting can occur. It usually affects only men.

Females are carriers who are usually asymptomatic or have a mild form. Onset is adulthood with progression being slow and variable with normal lifespan. Inheritance is X-linked recessive. From the Les Turner ALS Foundation website What is ALS? (the unofficial version) The Roommate I’m learning how to grudgingly coexist in my body with ALS. After inhabiting this flesh mostly alone all these years (except three pregnancies when I willingly—eagerly!—shared) I suddenly have a roommate I despise who is sabotaging my every move. A roommate who follows me into the shower, yanking my hair back and throwing me off balance as I lean back to rinse out the shampoo. A roommate who grabs my throat as I try to swallow, choking me, forcing me to cough and spew and sputter as I strive desperately to catch my breath. A roommate who fights dirty, trapping me in my bed, pinning my arm and legs with the weight of my comforter—a misnomer that provides no comfort, hasn’t been comforting in months, a traitor.

A roommate who slyly sticks her foot out to trip me, sending me flailing wildly, skidding face-first across the hardwood floor, slamming my nose into the baseboard. She snickers at my helplessness as the blood oozes from my nose and mouth, as I writhe in pain, as I cry out for help that does not come. A roommate who steals from me, robs me of my independence, who blatantly rips me off without even trying to hide her larceny. She knows I can’t prosecute her; she is above the law. A roommate who demands constant attention, inserting herself into every conversation, inviting herself along on every outing, insinuating herself into even the most private moments between a husband and wife. A roommate whose unwelcome presence wears on me until I can no longer elude her even in my dreams. She diminishes me, humiliates me, taunts me, terrorizes me, violates me. But I won’t—I can’t—give her an inch. Whatever she takes from me will be a spectacular battle. I concede nothing. I’m a stubborn adversary drawn into a war I did not seek, fighting this enemy occupation until the bitter end.

ALS at 27: Baseball Player With Lou Gehrig's Disease Strikes Back - ABC News ABC News ALS at 27: Mass. Baseball Player Strikes Back By Katie Moisse Pete Frates, 27, was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease in March. 0 Shares Pete Frates , a 27-year-old baseball player from Beverly, Mass., was in the best shape of his life. But a wayward pitch to the wrist and the lingering weakness that followed marked the start of a tragic turn. "There were no broken bones, so they started to look for nerve damage," Frates said. Six months of tests would reveal something far worse than a damaged nerve. He discovered in March that he has ALS , a deadly neurological disease that usually strikes people in their 50s and 60s. "The man upstairs, this is his plan for me," said Frates, whose sculpted muscles are destined to waste away, trapping him inside a paralyzed body. ALS, better known as Lou Gehrig's disease after the Yankee slugger, kills the nerves that control movement, relentlessly robbing its victims of the ability to walk, speak, eat and even breathe.

But Frates, a team captain his whole life, is ready to play ball. "Instead of wasting energy on the negative, let's use the energy in a positive way," he said. "Let's raise some awareness; raise some funds." About 30,000 Americans have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, landing the condition in a category of rare and often underfunded "orphan" diseases. But experts say the number is deceiving because each new diagnosis is offset by someone's untimely death. "One in 500 people will die from ALS," said Dr. Robert Brown, chair of the Department of Neurology at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester and president of the ALS Therapy Alliance . "And we call it an orphan disease?" It is rare, however, to see ALS in someone as young as Frates, who is statistically unlikely to live past 32. "The sense of tragedy looms even larger when someone is so young," said Brown, who has seen patients as young as 11.

"The irony is that at a time when their muscles are wasting away, we see extraordinary courage and motivation, and what can only be called strength." Frates hopes to use his youth and every ounce of energy to change the face of ALS, and convince the country a cure is worth fighting for. "We need more funding at a federal level," he said, adding that the one treatment approved to slow disease progression offers some patients a few extra months, at most. "If that's all people with ALS have to lean on, it's unacceptable. We need to do more." Frates' father, John Frates, said he can't think of a better person to rally resources for people with ALS, many of whom have been silenced by the disease. "He's always been a leader; a captain," he said, his voice shaking. "It's just the guy he is. It's always about the team." Frates has always been a driven athlete, playing baseball since he was 3. "If he cried, we'd stop [playing]," John Frates said. "So he just never cried." Frates was team captain for Boston College, and even tried out for the majors. "That's the most challenging part of this," John Frates said.

"Watching his body let him down. He played by the rules: no smoking, no drugs, always worked out." But ALS doesn't discriminate. Indeed, some studies suggest that it might even disproportionately affect athletes. "The concept that this disease could be overrepresented among athletes has been in the medical literature for a long time, and no one underscores that concept more than Lou Gehrig," neurologist Brown said. "But the interesting question is: Does athleticism set the stage for motor neuron degeneration, or does that same property that makes a person a great athlete also make them susceptible to the disease?" Young Athlete Strikes Back at ALS In the 11 weeks since Frates was formally diagnosed, he has seen evidence of the disease's swift progression. "My calf muscles and ankles seem to be slowing first, making me a little clumsier than usual," he said. "I'm definitely not running or throwing the ball around as much." And Frates' left hand below the wrist smacked with a speeding ball last summer has lost 90 percent of its function. Some experts think such injuries may act as triggers for a disease that lies dormant in the nervous system.

"It may seem like an everyday encounter, so to speak, but in the right setting it may trigger motor neuron degeneration," said Brown. Or, he added, injuries might signal the earliest symptoms of the disease. "If an ankle gets weak, people might catch their toe when stepping up on a curb and fall," said Brown. "It's still an open question, which came first: the fall or the weakness." Either way, however, Frates was destined to be afflicted with ALS. Researchers have started to uncover the biological roots of the disease, opening doors for new treatments. "I'm cautiously upbeat about where things are going," said Brown, who has long been studying the genetic causes of ALS. "When we understand the cause, we can see how the molecular dominos fall. It turns out there are a number of ways a cell can fall apart, so at least we have the targets." But Frates is short on time and eager for a breakthrough . He hopes more funding will accelerate the drug-discovery process, and he's ready to do his part. Less than two months after his diagnosis, "Team Frate Train," a group of Frates' family and friends, raised $27,000 for New York City's Walk to Defeat ALS.

"I hope it's a microcosm of what will happen in the greater population," he said. "The support I've seen has been overwhelming, and I can't thank everyone enough." Determined to get the word out on ALS across the country, Frates threw the first pitch for the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park Wednesday as part of Major League Baseball's ALS Awareness Day. "Hopefully, people will see the juxtaposition of me hitting home runs and making diving catches just last year, to limping out there and throwing a pitch from 40 feet instead of the mound," he said. "If they see a 27-year-old guy in the prime of his life dealing with this, maybe it'll get them thinking about what they can do to help." Donations to help fund ALS research can be made through the Pete Frates #3 Fund or through CVS/ALS Therapy Alliance .

0 Shares Lou Gehrig killed by baseball not Lou Gehrig's disease, study findings suggest | Science | The Guardian Medical research Lou Gehrig killed by baseball not Lou Gehrig's disease, study findings suggest Player who gave his name to a type of motor neurone disease more probably died due to brain trauma Yankees hero Lou Gehrig, who gave his name to the disease thought to have killed him, probably died from a baseball blow to the head. Photograph: Richard Hutchings/Corbis. Tuesday 17 August 2010 14.21 EDT First published on Tuesday 17 August 2010 14.21 EDT Close This article is 6 years old Lou Gehrig, a heroic slugger for the Yankees baseball team, was famed for brushing aside repeated fractures and batting after nearly being knocked unconscious, before giving his name to the disease that was said to have killed him. But a new study suggests that the player may not have died of Lou Gehrig's disease, formally known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a type of motor neurone disease. Instead, it may have been the baseballs bouncing off his head that claimed his life in 1941.

According to a paper to be published tomorrow in a leading journal, Gehrig and a string of American football players and soldiers recorded as dying of ALS, may instead have died due to brain traumas. Research at the Veterans Affairs Medical Centre in Massachusetts and Boston University's medical school have identified markings in the spinal cords of two American football players and a boxer who were said to have died of ALS that suggest they died as the result of a disease caused by concussion or other head trauma that attacks the central nervous system. The finding, published in the Journal of Neuropathology & Experimental Neurology, now means doctors may have to reassess how to treat athletes suffering lasting effects from concussion, and particularly the rising numbers of American soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with brain injuries caused by roadside bombs. Gehrig, who built a heroic reputation for playing on despite injuries - he played 2,130 games over 14 years - is not named in the study.

But Dr Ann McKee, the director of the neuropathology laboratory for the New England Veterans Administration Medical Centers, and the lead neuropathologist on the study, said that the implication is that he may well have died not from the disease named after him but from the repeated concussions he received on the baseball field as well as when he played American football in school and at university. "Here he is, the face of his disease, and he may have had a different disease as a result of his athletic experience," McKee told the New York Times. The ALS Association in the US says that about 30,000 people have the incurable fatal disease that mostly kills men aged 40 and older by the wasting away their muscles. Among its most prominent victims in the UK is the physicist Stephen Hawking. • This article was amended on 18 August 2010. Due to an editing change, the original said that Lou Gehrig's disease was formerly known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The headline said: Lou Gehrig killed by baseball not Lou Gehrig's disease, study finds. This has been corrected.

Lou Gehrig Biography (Baseball Player) Died: 2 June 1941 (Lou Gehrig's Disease) Birthplace: New York City, New York Best known as: The New York Yankee hero known as "The Iron Horse" Name at birth: Henry Louis Gehrig Lou Gehrig played in 2130 consecutive games for the New York Yankees from 1925 to 1939, gaining the nickname "The Iron Horse." A slugging first baseman, Lou Gehrig played with teammates like Babe Ruth and Joe DiMaggio during the Yankee glory years of the 1920s and 1930s. Gehrig won a rare triple crown in 1934, leading the American League with 49 homers, 165 RBI and a .363 batting average. He also was chosen the league's most valuable player in 1927 and 1936, but is best-remembered for incredible streak of consecutive games: over 15 seasons he played in 2130 games without missing one, a record which stood for half a century until it was broken by Cal Ripken in 1995.

Lou Gehrig retired after 8 games of the 1939 season and was diagnosed with the degenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS -- now known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. The Yankees held a recognition day for Lou Gehrig on 4 July 1939, during which he spoke to fans and uttered his famous line, "Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth." He died two years later in New York.

Extra credit: Wally Pipp, the player Lou Gehrig replaced at the start of his streak, has become a famous bit of baseball trivia… The Yankees retired Gehrig’s uniform number 4 in 1939, making him the first Yankee ever to receive that honor… Lou Gehrig was played by actor Gary Cooper in the 1942 film Pride of the Yankees… Gehrig was also nicknamed “Larrupin’ Lou” — “larruping” meaning he walloped the ball… Other famous people with ALS include actor David Niven and physicist Stephen Hawking … Lou Gehrig attended Columbia University in New York from 1921-23, but quit near the end of his sophomore year to sign a professional baseball contract. Copyright © 1998-2017 by Who2?, LLC. All rights reserved. Kevin Turner, Player Battling NFL Over Health, Dies of ALS Kevin Turner, Player Battling NFL Over Health, Dies of ALS Kevin Turner succumbed to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

(REUTERS/Mike Stone) By Clyde Hughes | Friday, 25 Mar 2016 11:02 AM Close A A Kevin Turner, a former fullback for the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots, succumbed to ALS on Thursday, having been diagnosed with the disease back in 2010. The former University of Alabama football star, 46, was part of the group of almost 5,000 retired NFL players that sued the league for healthcare and cost connected with brain injuries from their playing days, according to the Montgomery Advertiser . Turner said in 2011 that he believed playing football contributed to his condition and he would not have played if he had fully known of the risk, reported ESPN . "Football had something to do with it," Turner said then. "I don't know to what extent and I may not ever know. But there are too many people I know that have ALS and played football in similar positions. They seem to be linebackers, fullbacks, strong safeties. Those are big collision guys." "If they would have come to me and said, 'I've seen the future. This is what happens,' of course, I would stop playing immediately.

But, as we all know, nobody can see the future. For me, it just falls into a long line of bad decisions," Turner added. ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord, according to the ALS Association website . The ailment is often referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease, for the Hall of Fame baseball player who died from ALS in 1941, noted Biogrpahy.com . Turner started a foundation to raise awareness of brain trauma in athletes. His father, Raymond Turner issued a statement on the foundation website this week. "Myra and I lost a great son today," Raymond Turner stated on the website. "He will be missed so much. Thanks to everyone so very much for your support and prayers during this journey. He was ready to go to Heaven, excited he said, Love y'all and God Bless." Teammates shared their condolences on Twitter. Prayers and blessing go out to a former teammate of mine Kevin Turner, unfortunately he passed away. Great mentor and friend.

KT we miss you Game 5 dedicated to ALS advocate | MLB.com Game 5 dedicated to ALS advocate Game 5 dedicated to ALS advocate By Mark Newman / MLB.com | + 0 COMMENTS PHILADELPHIA -- One of the greatest players in Major League Baseball history was struck down nearly 70 years ago by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and ever since then the disease has been synonymous with the name of Lou Gehrig. Major League Baseball is dedicating Monday night's Game 5 of the 105th World Series to its ongoing 4♦ALS Awareness initiative as a tribute not only to Gehrig, but also to the lifelong baseball fan who inspired MLB to make everyone aware of the disease that claimed his own life on Sunday. Michael Goldsmith died at age 58 after battling ALS for three years. He passed away in a hospice at St. Peter's Hospital in Albany, where he had been living since early August, according to his surviving family. The cause of death was respiratory failure from ALS, which is a progressive disease that destroys the nerve cells controlling voluntary muscle movement.

As part of Major League Baseball's first-ever dedication of the World Series to community service, FOX and MLB Network will promote MLB.com/4ALS, which will provide fans the opportunity to donate money and link to "4♦ALS" organizations for more information. A public-address announcement will be made at Citizens Bank Park to inform and encourage fans to get involved. "I am deeply saddened by the passing of Michael Goldsmith," Commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement. "He helped us plan and arrange for ceremonies at all of our ballparks this past July 4 to raise awareness for ALS and to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Gehrig's renowned farewell speech. On behalf of Major League Baseball, my condolences go out to his family and friends." Goldsmith was honored at Yankee Stadium on July 4, the day that all MLB ballparks held "4ALS Awareness" events to get fans involved. Goldsmith, a New Yorker and law professor at Brigham Young University, stood near home plate that day and threw out the first pitch to Mark Teixeira. Goldsmith spent the last three years of his life battling the same disease that struck Gehrig, baseball's "Iron Horse," in 1939.

After he was diagnosed in 2006, Goldsmith attended a fantasy camp run by the Orioles -- the team he grew up supporting. In November 2008, he wrote a guest column in Newsweek that called on MLB to do more to fight the disease that ended Gehrig's life at the age of 37 on June 2, 1941. "I now look to the game of my youth to help give me and others like me a chance for life," he wrote in that article. Subsequent MLB efforts continue. MLB has been working with four leading organizations -- The ALS Association, ALS TDI, Augie's Quest (the Muscular Dystrophy Association's ALS research initiative) and Project A.L.S. -- whose primary goals are to find a cure for ALS. The "4♦ALS Awareness" initiative logo was displayed frequently at home ballparks on July 4, from giant scoreboards to the bases to a logo on players' chests. Following the game, first base from each stadium was signed by players for MLB.com Auction bidding to raise additional funds for the participating organizations.

That same day at MLB and Minor League ballparks included players and celebrities reading Gehrig's famous "Luckiest Man" speech as a 70th anniversary tribute. People with ALS were introduced; public-service announcements recorded by former MLB players Curt Schilling and Nolan Ryan were played; and educational information was distributed. "On July 4, more people received an introduction to ALS, what it is, what it does and what it means than on any day in the history of mankind," said Schilling, a longtime supporter of the fight against ALS, having raised more than $10 million through his "Curt's Pitch for ALS" program and other events. Dorine Gordon, president and CEO of The ALS Association's Greater New York Chapter, described the initiative at Yankee Stadium as a "truly memorable experience," highlighted by Derek Jeter's reading of the Gehrig speech. "It was very emotional for both the players and the fans, and it truly was a goosebumps moment," Gordon said. Moments such as those were made possibly largely by Goldsmith. "Being on the field with my father was the single greatest moment of my life," Austen Goldsmith told The New York Times on Sunday.

"I think he was holding on for that." Mr. Goldsmith's condition deteriorated, and in August, he was moved from Utah to be closer to his mother, Anitta Goldsmith, 80, who was born in Austria and moved to what was then called Palestine in 1939. Michael Goldsmith was born in Israel on March 5, 1951, and in 1955, the family moved to New York. He went to Cornell, and in 1975, was graduated from law school there. Goldsmith worked as an assistant U.S. attorney and later served as a counsel to the New York State Organized Crime Task Force. Goldsmith continued to teach at Brigham Young after the ALS was diagnosed. "I have spent more than two decades exhorting law students to take a proactive 'can do' approach to the law and life in general," Mr. Goldsmith wrote via e-mail in late June. "And I have tried to lead by example, showing them how creativity and commitment to a cause can produce positive results.

The success of this effort demonstrates yet again how 'the power of one' can make a difference." In the past few months, Goldsmith communicated with a mouse and synthesizer, using the last strength in his right hand. Goldsmith is survived by his wife, Carolyn Goldsmith, and his two children from a previous marriage, Jillian Goldsmith and Austen Goldsmith, both of New York, as well as two sisters, Lynn Goldsmith and Edna Goldsmith, and their mother, Anitta Goldsmith of Albany. Mark Newman is enterprise editor of MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. Share This What is ALS? | ALS Canada What is ALS? WHAT IS ALS? ALS, sometimes called Lou Gehrig's disease or motor neuron disease, is a rapidly progressive fatal neuromuscular disease. It is characterized by degeneration of a select group of nerve cells and pathways in the brain and spinal cord, which lead to progressive paralysis of the muscles. WHO GETS ALS? ALS can strike anyone. ALS is not contagious, does not discriminate, and can strike at any age.

ALS most often occurs between the ages of 40 and 70, but it can also occur in older and younger adults, and rarely in teenagers (Mitsumoto and Munsat, 2001). ALS is usually fatal within two to five years of diagnosis. There is a hereditary pattern in about 5 – 10 per cent of cases. WHAT ARE THE EARLY SYMPTOMS? The symptoms and the area of the body first affected can vary from person to person. Typically ALS involves muscle weakness, fatigue, wasting, stiffness, loss of tone, cramping, twitching, and hyper- and hypo-reflexion. The onset of the disease may occur in nerves associated with muscles of the upper or lower limbs, the throat, or the upper chest area. In rare cases, the muscles involved in breathing are first affected. These symptoms can result in decreased co-ordination in the hands, tripping and falling, weight loss, and difficulty swallowing, speaking, or breathing. WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF ALS?

Progressive paralysis of the voluntary muscles involved leads to loss of mobility, a decline in breathing function, difficulty eating and drinking by mouth, as well as speech problems such as slurring and low volume output. Not every person with ALS will experience all symptoms or have all areas of the body affected during their course of illness. ALS is usually, but not always, fatal within two to five years after diagnosis; however, there are several options available to help manage the disease and preserve quality of life. Some cognitive abilities may also be affected, but ALS does not usually involve loss of sensory function – taste, touch, sight, smell and hearing. WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT ALS? Although recent scientific research has resulted in significant new knowledge, much more research is needed to find a cure. Research is being conducted in areas relating to genetic predispositions, viral or infectious agents, environmental toxins, and immunological changes. If you designate your donation to research, it will go directly to fund research for better treatment and a cure for ALS. IS THERE HOPE FOR PEOPLE WITH ALS? At the present time, there is no treatment that significantly prolongs life for people living with ALS. Researchers are investigating ways to reverse the disease, and there may eventually be a cure for ALS.

Many people with ALS say that they live life more fully with much joy – even knowing what is to come. Good planning for medical and social management will enhance the quality of life for both the person with ALS and their family members. ALS FACTS Approximately 2,500 – 3,000 Canadians over 18 currently live with ALS. The incidence rate (number of new diagnoses) of ALS is estimated to be 2/100,000 people per year. The mortality rate of ALS is 2/100,000 annually. June is ALS Awareness Month. ALS is sometimes called Lou Gehrig's disease, named after the famous American baseball player who died of the disease in 1941. Eighty per cent of people with ALS die within five years of a diagnosis. Ten per cent may live 10 years or longer. ALS can strike anyone. It can hit at any time, regardless of age, sex, or ethnic origin. In at least 90 per cent of cases, it strikes people with no family history of the disease. There is no treatment that prolongs life significantly. There is no cure for ALS – yet.

Medical Marijuana and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Medical Marijuana and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) What Is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)? Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a serious neurological disease that causes muscle weakness, disability and eventually death. ALS is often called Lou Gehrig's disease, after the famous baseball player who died of it in 1941. Medical Marijuana and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord that afflicts 5,000 Americans annually. Because ALS interferes with the brainâ€™s ability to initiate and control muscle movement, the disease hinders all types of movement, including speech, swallowing and breathing. Patients in the later stages of the disease may become totally paralyzed, and 100% of ALS cases result in death. Currently, there is no cure for ALS and there is no treatment available to reverse the diseaseâ€™s effects on the body.

According to the ALS Association , the mean survival rate for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in the US is three to five years. There is only one FDA approved drug for ALS called riluzole, which can extend life by about 2 months on average. However, research shows that medical marijuana can be an effective way to alleviate some ALS symptoms, slow the progress of the disease and extend the lives of ALS patients. Research recently conducted by the California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco shows that select marijuana compounds, including THC, significantly slow the disease process and could extend life by three years or more. This same research group found that THC can also alleviate some ALS symptoms, like muscle spasms, in patients. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with ALS, medical marijuana can help. Book an appointment with a local, qualified physician through MarijuanaDoctors.com today. Let us help improve your quality of life! _________________ This information is not provided by medical professionals and is intended only to complement, and not to replace or contradict, any health or medical advice or information provided by healthcare professionals. If you have any questions, please contact your doctor or other healthcare professional.

Question: What baseball player died of ALS disease in 1941?
Answer: Lou Gehrig