Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, August 23, 1995 TAG: 9508230068
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: BALTIMORE LENGTH: Medium
Gehrig died in 1941 of a degenerative disease that slowly destroyed his spine and nerve cells. Now, the Baltimore Orioles, in honor of Ripken's 2,131st consecutive game, plan to raise $1 million by selling seats on the edge of the playing field Sept. 6.
The money will be used to set up a foundation at Johns Hopkins University for research on neuromuscular diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly called Lou Gehrig's disease.
The 260 seats will be set up that night in rows of two against the box seat railing near first and third bases. They will sell for $5,000 each, said Joe Foss, Orioles vice chairman of business and finance. So far, about 50 of the seats have been sold.
The Orioles got permission from the American League to put the seats on the edge of the field for the game against the California Angels.
``It's ironic but very inspiring,'' Foss said at a news conference on the field at Camden Yards. ``It's our hope that this foundation will be a springboard for finding a cure.''
Gehrig died two years after establishing the record of 2,130 consecutive games played in a 15-year career with the New York Yankees. The disease gained international recognition after his death.
ALS strikes the spine and nerve cells in the brain and eventually leaves a person paralyzed, said Dr. Ralph Kuncl, a professor of neurology at Hopkins. The disease's victims usually live three to five years after being diagnosed and die when muscles in their lungs stop working.
``What's amazing is how selective it is,'' Kuncl said. ``Even if a person like Lou Gehrig was unable to move a finger, his sensation, vision, hearing and mind would be perfectly intact.''
Hopkins was recently part of an international study that tested the drug Riluzole on 25 patients with the disease, said Dr. Jeffrey Rothstein, a professor of neurology. The trial ended in December and involved a total of 970 patients at 30 sites around the world.
Riluzole isn't a cure for the disease, but slows down the degenerative processes and allows a patient to live longer, Rothstein said. The drug is being considered for approval by the Food and Drug Administration.
``The reason it's exciting is because nothing has ever worked before and suddenly you've got something to go on,'' he said.
Major league baseball has been a leading donor of research funds for the disease. The ALS Foundation receives millions of dollars each year from baseball players.
The Philadelphia Phillies, for instance, have raised more than $2 million for the foundation since 1989, said Leigh Tobin, a Phillies spokeswoman. Pitcher Curt Schilling personally donated $25,000 last season by offering $50 per strikeout, $500 per complete game, $1,000 per win and $1,000 per shutout.
This season, Schilling is promising $100 per strikeout and $1,000 per win, Tobin said.
by CNB