Thursday, October 02

MIAMI -- Monday marked the annual Lou Gehrig Day, which took place on June 1-2 this year and raises awareness about ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) to honor the legacy of Gehrig. The day is observed league-wide, with various initiatives aimed at promoting awareness and raising funds for ALS research.

The Marlins collaborated with the ALS Center at the University of Miami and the ALS Association to celebrate 12 ALS heroes before Sunday’s series finale against the Giants at loanDepot park.

Dr. Nathan Carberry, a practicing neurologist who joined the University of Miami Health System’s Neuromuscular Division as an assistant professor of clinical neurology in 2022, represented UHealth.

Prior to the game, the 12 ALS patients had a meet and greet with Janson Junk, Jack Winkler and Rob Brantly. The group was also recognized on the field.

In partnership with the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, Permobil and the Live Like Lou Foundation, the Marlins also presented a custom motorized wheelchair to Edil De Leon, a father of three, a special education teacher and a retired elite powerlifter. Once ranked among the top U.S. middleweights, he has dedicated his career to supporting children with autism and has now added ALS awareness.

The wheelchair was made by Permobil, which is the leader in manufacturing and distributing power and manual mobility devices for individuals living with disabilities around the world to help improve quality of life. The gift is in honor of reliever Declan Cronin and his nomination last fall for the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award.

Marlins third-base coach Blake Lalli, whose family has been closely impacted by ALS, was on hand to present the wheelchair to De Leon.

ALS awareness continued on Monday when the Rockies and Marlins wore special “4” decals. Red “4-ALS” wristbands were also available to be worn in-game. 

MLB is running an auction here to benefit The Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS at Mass General, featuring commemorative one-of-a-kind MLB authenticated autographed Lou Gehrig Day TOPPS NOW cards. 

Each player was selected by Sarah Langs, an MLB researcher and reporter battling ALS. Bid on Sandy Alcantara’s card here through 8 p.m. ET on June 12. 

Heriberto Hernandez collected his first MLB hit and later his first RBI in Wednesday’s series finale.

MLB launched the 2025 PRO SPIRIT MLB All-Star Ballot on Wednesday afternoon for the 2025 MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard, which will be held on July 15 at Truist Park in Atlanta.

Fans can vote exclusively online and via mobile devices at MLB.com/vote, all 30 club websites, the MLB App and the MLB Ballpark App until the voting period for Phase 1 concludes at 12 p.m. ET on June 26. 

During the initial voting period, fans can submit up to five ballots each day on MLB platforms. Each day, after submitting a fifth vote on the ballot, fans will be given the option to be redirected to the mobile game, PRO SPIRIT, for an exclusive opportunity to vote for a sixth time.

MLB Network will announce finalists on June 26, when the top two vote-getters at each position (and the top six outfielders) in each league will be revealed on MLB Network at 6 p.m. ET, and they will advance to the second phase of voting to determine who makes the All-Star teams and starts for each league.

The 2025 MLB All-Star Ballot will offer audio CAPTCHA functionality for visually impaired fans. Spanish-language ballots will also be available to fans via MLB.com/vota.

Marlins on the ballot include:

C Agustín Ramírez

DH Nick Fortes

1B Eric Wagaman

2B Xavier Edwards

SS Otto Lopez

3B Connor Norby

OF Kyle Stowers

OF Dane Myers

OF Jesús Sánchez

• Right-hander Eury Pérez made his final rehab start with Triple-A Jacksonville and is poised to rejoin the club in Pittsburgh next week. 

• Righty Max Meyer landed on the 15-day injured list with a left hip impingement.

• Liam Hicks got his first start at first base as his bat continues to stay hot. 

• Edwards recorded the first five-hit game of his career on Sunday while starting at second base for the first time since 2023.

Alcantara tied season highs for innings (six) and fewest runs allowed (two) in Tuesday night’s 3-2 loss to the Rockies.

What was the reason for the turnaround?

Could it have been a conversation with manager Clayton McCullough that Alcantara alluded to but wouldn’t reveal the details of? Was it 2022 battery mate Jacob Stallings being in the opposing dugout? How about his improved command? Perhaps the effectiveness of his curveball?

Maybe it was as simple as letting loose and enjoying a chocolate chip cookie from Crumbl.

“Since I came here today, my mentality was completely different,” Alcantara said. “I was talking a little bit with my teammates, I was playing Pop A Shot out there. Today was great. I think I knew since I drove from home that I would have a great day today.

“Since I just drove from home, I think everything was different. So as soon as I got here, I got a different mindset. So trying to do something different, because the past eight years, I've been just focused too much on the game. And today, just did something different. I got great success today.”

“It's fun. Any time you do something incredibly special with someone --we were able to do that obviously in '22 -- you kind of create a bond for life. So we kind of have that. It's great every time I get to see him and talk to him." -- Stallings, on keeping in touch with Alcantara

“So a guy like him, who caught me a lot of games a couple years ago, he's great, man. He's funny. I like the way that he treats people. We don't have too much conversation on the phone, because I’ve been busy, he's been busy, too. He's got family. I've got family, but I still have his phone number on my phone. Any day he wants to talk, he just needs to call me, and we can laugh together.” -- Alcantara, on Stallings

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