Every year on June 2, Major League Baseball pauses to reflect on one of its most enduring heroes: Lou Gehrig. Known as the “Iron Horse” for his toughness and durability, Gehrig’s legacy today stands not only for his legendary on-field accomplishments, but also for his courageous battle with ALS, a disease that has since come to bear his name.
ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, eventually leading to loss of muscle control. It slowly robs individuals of their ability to speak, move, and breathe; yet it never touches their spirit. That strength is exactly what the league celebrates on Lou Gehrig Day.
While official commemorations across the league included tribute videos, player wristbands, and those iconic “4” patches in honor of Gehrig’s number, the Kansas City Royals made sure their own celebration stood out. On Sunday, they turned a routine pregame ceremony into an unforgettable moment for one of their most devoted fans.
Royals superfan Sarah Nauser thought she was on the field to recognize shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. as a finalist for the prestigious Lou Gehrig Memorial Award. But the tables quickly turned because the real honor was meant for her.
Nauser, a former police officer diagnosed with ALS seven years ago at just 29, has been a fixture around the Royals clubhouse for years. On Sunday, the team surprised her with a brand-new, Royals-themed wheelchair—complete with cutting-edge technology that allows her to steer it using only her eyes.
For someone whose final police shift included fulfilling her dream of working dugout security at Kauffman Stadium, this was more than just a cool gift; it was a powerful reminder that her place with the team hasn’t gone anywhere.
“We should have been recognizing Bobby,” Nauser said, with a smile. “But the relationship I’ve built with this team is something I’ll cherish forever. It’s truly, truly special.”
Though ALS has taken her ability to walk and work, it hasn’t touched her passion for the game. And clearly, that love goes both ways. Royals legend George Brett counts himself as one of her friends. During Spring Training, Nauser shared her ALS journey with the team, and whenever she’s at a game, players line up to say hello.
That was certainly the case Sunday, when Bobby Witt Jr. made sure to sign her new wheels.
“That’s how they make me feel,” Nauser said. “Like I’m part of the team. And I treasure that. Because I know I’m not fighting alone. These guys have my back. They wear my bracelet. They’re all wearing wristbands today. They know how much this means to me.”
Lou Gehrig may have left the game over 80 years ago, but his fight lives on in stories like Sarah Nauser’s, and in the teammates who rally around her.