KANSAS CITY -- Sarah Nauser thought she was going on the field Sunday afternoon to honor Bobby Witt Jr. as a finalist for the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award, given to the player who best exemplifies the spirit and character of Gehrig on and off the field.
She had no idea the Royals would be honoring her, too -- and that they had a surprise waiting for her.
As the public address announcer told Nauser’s story, detailing her former career as a police officer and her current battle with ALS, a team employee wheeled a new, custom Royals-branded wheelchair onto the field.
The new ride is equipped with technology that allows Nauser to control it with her eyes. It was a gift in partnership with the Royals from the Live Like Lou Foundation, PerMobil and Phi Delta Theta.
When she saw it, Nauser's jaw dropped in surprise.
“We should have been recognizing Bobby,” Nauser said. “The relationship I’ve built with this team is something I’ll cherish forever. It’s truly, truly special.”
With an off-day Monday, the Royals celebrated Lou Gehrig Day on Sunday. Honoring Nauser was an integral part of their efforts. Seven years ago, Nauser was diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), otherwise known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
Before 2018, Nauser was a police officer and even got to work dugout security at a Royals game. She’s since had to retire and now uses a wheelchair with a machine that helps her breathe.
There’s a lot that has changed in seven years, but her Royals fandom hasn’t. And now she’s considered part of the team.
“That’s how they make me feel,” Nauser said. “I treasure that, too. That means everything to me. Because I know that 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.”
Watching Royals players interact with Nauser shows how much she means to the organization. Hall of Famer George Brett is a close friend. Nauser went to Spring Training this year and spoke during a team meeting about her journey and battle with ALS. Every time she’s at a game, players are always chatting with her and her husband, Lonnie.
Position players were warming up as the Royals recognized Nauser on the field on Sunday, but nearly all of them made an effort to run by and say hello. Witt signed the new wheelchair. Michael Massey chanted her name as he ran past.
“When you see and follow Sarah, you can see how much this day means to her,” Massey said. “And when you care about someone and it means something to them, then it means something to you. I think just the most important part is showing up and being there for her.”
What means even more to Nauser is the red “Sarah’s Soldiers" rubber bracelet that several players wear every day.
That’s the least they can do for their friend.
“It’s motivation for us,” Witt said. “Just to know what she’s going through and how she’s battling and how she's just always the same person each and every day. She’s always had such a positive attitude, even though she knows what she’s going through. It’s really special to have her as a friend around the clubhouse, in Kansas City, and just know how much she supports us.”
Since her diagnosis at age 29, Nauser has used her voice to raise awareness for ALS. She’s been answering questions on her X account recently about ALS and her journey with it.
It takes vulnerability to do that, Nauser said, but it’s a promise she made to herself seven years ago. Not only is she continuing to fight ALS, but she wants to be an advocate and resource for others who are going through a similar situation. That’s something she didn’t have when she was diagnosed.
“Everybody only knows the facts: You’ve got two to five years to live, you’re going to lose your ability to talk, to eat, to breathe. Well, clearly, that’s not always the case,” said Nauser, who can still talk and eat. “It’s important for others to see that, just because you get this life-altering diagnosis, life is still possible. I think for people to see the way that I’ve lived my journey, I hope it gives them hope in their own journey -- even if it’s not ALS. I think it gives people inspiration to fight through whatever they’re up against.
“But without transparency, people who have not been touched by ALS, they have no idea what the disease takes.”
Lonnie is the one who typically controls Nauser’s current wheelchair as they make their way around. In this new ride, she’ll be able to do it herself.
“I’ll be running Lonnie over soon,” Nauser said, with a mischievous grin.
There’s not much that can slow her down.