The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge may have been a fun viral movement, but the message behind its awareness campaign hits much closer to home at Boston College. Pete Frates, a former member of the Eagles baseball team, is a 30-year-old battling the debilitating disease himself.
He's also an awareness advocate for ALS, and was the guy who came up with the Ice Bucket fundraising campaign. So, in an exhibition game with the Boston Red Sox, BC came together with the professional club and honored their former teammate.
Each players on both sides wore jerseys with the No. 3 in the exhibition, which was Frates' playing number. They also wore his name across the back of their jerseys:
#StrikeoutALS wearing 3 for our friend @PeteFrates3 @TeamFrateTrain pic.twitter.com/YlVDzjZaOu
— Boston Red Sox (@RedSox) March 3, 2015
A view of the locker rooms prior to teams suiting up. The jerseys will be auctioned off and the proceeds will be given to Frates' #3 fund, an organization that provides financial support to ALS charities:
Entire team will wear special @PeteFrates3 jerseys for the BC game. #StrikeoutALS pic.twitter.com/OKzBJK1XAt
— Boston Red Sox (@RedSox) March 3, 2015
Teams lined up for a pre-game tribute, where Frates' family met with members of the Red Sox organization on his behalf:
John Farrell meets with @PeteFrates3 family on the mound. We're thinking of you, Pete! Stay strong. #StrikeOutALS pic.twitter.com/COMg9JF5nd
— Boston Red Sox (@RedSox) March 3, 2015
Frates, who continues to fight ALS as both a patient and activist, responded to both teams with gratitude via Twitter:
What an honor! So incredibly humbled. Thanks to @BCBirdBall @RedSox and @TeamFrateTrain! #StrikeoutALS
— Pete Frates (@PeteFrates3) March 3, 2015