Yanks support ALS research; Girardi takes challenge

DETROIT -- The Yankees announced on Wednesday that they have pledged $100,000 to the ALS Association, in recognition of those who bravely live with ALS, those who have passed away from the condition and those around the world who have taken part in the Ice Bucket Challenge in an effort to raise awareness and funding to find a cure.

In support of the Yankees' donation, manager Joe Girardi participated in the Ice Bucket Challenge on Wednesday afternoon. Girardi said that he lost an uncle to ALS -- also known as Lou Gehrig's disease -- in April of this year.

"Obviously, it's been on my mind," Girardi said.

In his video, Girardi invited Patrick Quinn of Westchester, N.Y., and Anthony Senerchia of Pelham, N.Y., to be the team's guests for a future Yankees home game. Quinn and Senerchia were among the first to participate in the Ice Bucket Challenge.

Girardi also challenged this year's Monument Park inductees to take the challenge; Goose Gossage, Tino Martinez, Paul O'Neill and Joe Torre. Torre participated recently in a group event outside MLB's New York offices, helping raise $16,700 for ALS research.

"I think this is a really good thing that's been started here and is bringing a lot of attention to ALS," Girardi said. "It's a horrific disease in what it does to people. Hopefully all these things that people are doing to raise money finds a cure."