Roy Halladay Calls Out Ruben Amaro…To Strike Out ALS

Roy Halladay joined thousands today when he took the “Ice Bucket Challenge” in order to raise awareness for “striking out ALS” (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/Lou Gehrig's Disease.) Roy Halladay was nominated by twitter user @FantasyFocusedd and in turn nominated former NFL head coach/current NFL analyst for ESPN Jon Gruden,  Professional Bass Angler Skeet Reese, and Philadelphia Phillies one and only Ruben Amaro. 

I did the #IceBucketChallenge for #ALS. You're on the clock, Ruben Amaro, Jon Gruden and @SkeetReese1! http://t.co/eANKNIzSqA

— Roy Halladay (@RoyHalladay) August 13, 2014

ALS and “The Ice Bucket Challenge”

The “Ice Bucket Challenge” is a challenge raising awareness for ALS which is a serious progressive neurodegenerative disease damages nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord which eventually leads to muscle weakness, loss of the use of arms and legs and difficulty breathing and swallowing. The “ice Bucket Challenge” originated in Massachusetts when Pete Frates, a former Boston College baseball player who was diagnosed with ALS in 2012, posted a video dumping ice on his head to the tune of “Ice Ice Baby” and dared others to follow suit in order to "strike out ALS." Participants post videos of their ice bucket challenges onto social media and nominate others to take the plunge within 24 hours or donate to ALS research or the charity of their choice. Currently the ALS Association has raised over $1.35 million since July 29th compared to last years $22,000 over the same time period.

Halladay Defends Ruben Against Hecklers

With the internet being the internet, Ruben Amaro's nomination brought on the heckling. Tweets such as “Better chance of Ruben leaving his job than doing the challenge,” or “Rube can do the acid challenge. I'm not talking psychedelics here,” instantly exploded in reply. Roy Halladay being the classy man he is at first responded in defense of Ruben Amaro, “I don't understand the dislike for Ruben Amaro he is a tremendous man who brought me to philly. I thank him for all he's done for me!” and then still said that Philadelphia fans are still number one. The tweets  in defense were then quickly deleted and replaced with a tweet saying, "Let's focus on ALS and the ice bucket challenge! #ALS," in order keep the focus on  ALS awarness and giving to charity.  

Picked the biggest charity minded and most willing to make a difference I know! Let's focus on ALS and the ice bucket challenge! #ALS

— Roy Halladay (@RoyHalladay) August 13, 2014

 For more information on ALS or for those looking to donote towards ALS research please visit: http://www.alsa.org/

Jesse Aaron Barnhart is a contributor to Philliedelphia.com