At the ALS Association Greater New York 22nd Loug Gehrig Sports Award Benefit, Mets ace Matt Harvey was presented with the Lou Gehrig Sports Award. The Award is given to the athlete shown to embody the character, courage, and determination the late Gehrig once did.
In his speech, Harvey spoke about not just want it meant to receive the Award, but also about his parent’s role in him becoming a major league pitcher:
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Other awardees included Mets manager Terry Collins, Marlins outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, and tennis player Patrick McEnroe. Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman received the Jacob K. Javits Lifetime Achievement Award.
While everyone gave poignant speeches, Ichrio had the line of the night saying, “You might be expecting a speech, but unlike home runs, speeches in English are not my game.”
Overall, the benefit raised more than $1.1 million for the New York chapter of the ALS Association.The ALS Association is “we direct the largest privately-funded research enterprise engaged to uncover the mystery of a disease that affects as many as 30,000 annually.” The ALS Association also operates centers and clinics for ALS patients.
