Frankfort Man To Throw 1st Pitch For White Sox's Lou Gehrig Day

FRANKFORT, IL — Frankfort resident Mike Snedden will throw the ceremonial first pitch at Thursday's Chicago White Sox game as Major League Baseball celebrates its first Lou Gehrig Day to raise awareness and funds for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.

"It's super exciting, it's quite the honor," Beth Snedden, Mike's wife, told Patch. The Sneddens have lived in Frankfort for 30 years.

The White Sox will welcome more than 100 friends and family of Mike's at Thursday's game against the Detroit Tigers.

Beth said she and Mike have been going to White Sox games for many years, and would often bring groups for fundraisers for different games or school sporting events.

Snedden was diagnosed with ALS in July 2020, after experiencing bulbar onset ALS, which impacted his speech and swallowing. Mike went to the doctor at the end of 2019, when his voice became raspy. Beth said Mike had had cancer in 2018, and they thought it may have returned.

Doctors found the cancer had not returned, but sent Mike to an ear, nose and throat specialist. That doctor then sent Mike to another specialist, where he eventually received a diagnosis of ALS.

"There's no blood test [for ALS], it's a process of elimination," Beth said.

Mike can no longer talk, and uses an app on his phone or writes to communicate. Beth said the disease is also impacting his limbs now, and he can't walk very well.

Mike worked for UPS for 38 years, and Beth said he has the best support system in his friends.

"We're lucky we have support, but not everybody has that."

There is no cure for ALS, however Beth said there are "some great things coming down the pipeline," which still need FDA approval.

"Our main purpose is to make people aware, so that it starts to get funded," Beth said.

Major League Baseball has declared June 2 as Lou Gehrig Day, and ballparks across the country are raising awareness and money for ALS.

Today is the inaugural MLB #LouGehrigDay. Organizations like @LesTurnerALS, @iamalsorg and @ALSAChicago have been devoting their work to find a cure and support individuals and families going through this journey. Show your support at https://t.co/GXyMPlGMhm. pic.twitter.com/pAXjXU37pb
— White Sox Charities (@soxcharities) June 2, 2021