Phillies and Asplundh Family Team Up on MLB Lou Gehrig Day to Strike Out ALS
On Tuesday, June 2, the Phillies will continue their longtime efforts to raise funds and awareness for those battling Lou Gehrig’s disease during ALS Awareness Night presented by Asplundh at Citizens Bank Park, held at that night’s game against the San Diego Padres.
The ballpark-wide event will feature a special on-field ceremony at 6:10 p.m., recognizing the tireless work of ALS United Mid-Atlantic while honoring individuals and families throughout the region who have been impacted by ALS.
“ALS is a terrible disease that impacts countless people around the world and across our company,” said Asplundh Chairman of the Board Steven Asplundh. “We are thankful to the Phillies for this opportunity and proud to support ALS United Mid-Atlantic and all the amazing work it does to help those living with ALS.”
“We have come to know far too many brave individuals who have faced ALS,” said Bonnie Clark, Phillies Vice President, Communications and Community Initiatives. “On MLB Lou Gehrig Day, we are proud to join Asplundh in raising both awareness and critical funds for this important cause, while showing those courageously battling the disease that they have an entire ballpark behind them.”
For more than four decades, the Phillies have teamed up with ALS United Mid-Atlantic, generating over $23.8 million to support patient services, research and awareness efforts.
“Since 1984, the Philadelphia Phillies have stood alongside the ALS community supporting local families affected by ALS,” said Tony Heyl, Executive Director of ALS United Mid-Atlantic. “The generosity of the Phillies organization and their loyal fans continue to have a lasting impact, helping fund critical care services and research that brings us closer to treatments, and ultimately, a cure. We are grateful for the Phillies’ decades of compassion and unwavering commitment to the fight against ALS.”
Highlights to ALS Awareness Night presented by Asplundh
Players, managers, coaches and umpires will wear a special “4” decal on their uniforms designed in Yankee uniform color and font to honor Lou Gehrig. Red “4-ALS” wristbands will also be worn in-game, in addition to commemorative base jewels and lineup cards.
Ceremonial First Pitch to Strike Out ALS: Scotty Easter, 38, will throw out the first pitch on behalf of Asplundh. He joined the company in 2006 at age 18 and is among 39 members of his family diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease. Scotty will be joined by his wife, Holly; their children, Landon, Kloey, Cayden and Nora; and cousin, Cory Mosely, who is also living with ALS. Over his 20-year career, Scotty has worked his way up to a supervisory position and currently oversees multiple vegetation management crews on Duke Energy property in North Carolina.
ALS Lineup of Courage: This heartwarming moment will take place just before the national anthem, as those bravely battling and affected by ALS line up on the field alongside Phillies players. In addition to Scotty Easter, participants include:
Stephanie Kemezis, 47, a former teacher from North Wales, Pa., who was diagnosed with ALS in September 2022. With her husband, Chris, Stephanie continues to stay engaged in the lives of her three children, Brayden (20), Tyler (17) and Avery (13).
Mark Maguschak, 72, a retired banking clerk from Hazelton, Pa., a lifelong Philadelphia sports fan and proud father of two children, ages 26 and 23. Before his diagnosis in 2019, Mark dedicated his time to coaching girls’ softball and special needs T-ball.
Margit Olson, 43, a high school special education and science teacher from Philadelphia who lives with her wife and son, was diagnosed with ALS in April 2025. After making the difficult decision to step away from the classroom last October, her friends and community organized “Bench Out ALS,” raising approximately $20,000 to help strike out ALS.
William (Bill) O'Sullivan, Jr., 69, of Glen Rock, Pa., a U.S. Navy veteran and long-time ALS awareness advocate. Diagnosed in December 2021, Bill turned his diagnosis into a mission to support others. His mother and four siblings also lived with the disease.
Madeline Rivera, 62, of East Stroudsburg, Pa., shares a birthday with Lou Gehrig (June 19) and worked as a medical receptionist when she was diagnosed in June 2022. Madeline, who enjoys singing, songwriting and playing guitar, is the proud mother to Arlene Zimnik and “mimi” to Levi Chase Zimnik.
On-Field Check Presentation to ALS United Mid-Atlantic by Asplundh: This will be another special moment as the Asplundh family, whose company is headquartered in Willow Grove, Pa., makes a $415,000 (and still growing!) donation to help strike out ALS. Chairman of the Board Steven Asplundh and his wife, Lisa, will present the check, made in honor of Scott Asplundh, former Chairman and CEO of Asplundh for 42 years, who passed away in January at age 68 due to ALS-related complications.
ALS Patient Honored as Hometown Hero (End of Third Inning): Michael Noll, 44, a 911 dispatcher in Lebanon, Pa., was diagnosed with familial ALS in November 2024. Michael carries the VCP genetic mutation, which has affected multiple generations of his family. He lives in Cleona with his wife, Rebecca, his high school friend whom he reconnected with later in life and married in June 2025. The two share a close-knit family, including Rebecca’s daughter and granddaughter.
Fifth Inning Dance: ALS patients and their caregivers will dance with the Phillie Phanatic.
How to Support the Cause, benefiting ALS United Mid-Atlantic:
Purchase grab bags sponsored by Hatfield Quality Meats, featuring autographed Phillies memorabilia, for $40 each at the First Base Plaza.
Purchase an ALS Awareness Phillies Theme Night Ticket presented by Asplundh for the June 2 game, with $6 per ticket going back to the cause.
Bid on unique memorabilia and experiences at the Phantastic Auction, happening through June 3, with proceeds supporting ALS United Mid-Atlantic and Phillies Charities, Inc.
ABOUT ALS UNITED MID-ATLANTIC
The mission of ALS United Mid-Atlantic is to unite and empower the ALS community through a collaborative approach to fostering bold research initiatives, advancing national and state advocacy, and providing comprehensive care and support to individuals and families affected by ALS.
ABOUT ALS
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), more commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells and pathways in the brain and spinal cord. When these cells die, voluntary muscle control and movement dies with them. Patients in the later stages of the disease are totally paralyzed, yet in most cases, their minds remain sharp and alert.
ABOUT MLB’S LOU GEHRIG DAY
June 2 was chosen specifically as the date for Lou Gehrig Day as it marks when Gehrig became the Yankees' starting first baseman, thus cementing the start of his incredible streak of consecutive games played. The date also signifies the day he passed from complications of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), otherwise known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. The focus of Lou Gehrig Day is to remember the legacy of Gehrig and all those lost to the disease that bears his name; raise awareness and funds for research of ALS; and celebrate the groups and individuals who have led the pursuit for cures.
ABOUT ASPLUNDH
Asplundh Tree Expert, LLC is a family-owned and managed company headquartered just outside of Philadelphia in Horsham, PA. Its One Asplundh approach provides a single point of contact to an extensive range of vegetation management, infrastructure and digital innovation services and storm / emergency restoration services for utilities, municipalities, power producers and other commercial and industrial customers. Asplundh employs approximately 36,000 throughout the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Learn more at www.asplundh.com.