Phillies Raise $725,050 at Annual Phestival to Fight ALS

Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Jerad Eickhoff (left) and assistant hitting coach Pedro Guerrero at the 34th annual Phillies Phestival on Thursday, June 21, 2018, at Citizens Bank Park (Matt Rappa/Sports Talk Philly).

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

The annual Phillies Phestival raised $725,050 Thursday afternoon to combat Lou Gehrig's disease — ALS, a devastating, fatal, progressive neuromuscular disease with no known cause or cure.

Funds raised were $68,550 more than last year's charity event, all benefiting much-needed patient care and services for the The ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter. Overall, the Philadelphia Phillies have now raised nearly $18.4 million since adopting ALS as their primary charity in 1984.

(Matt Rappa/Sports Talk Philly)

The Phestival featured a silent auction, grab bag and "roll-the-dice" opportunities, and 21 autograph booths — including a special 1993 booth in Ashburn Alley featuring favorites from the National League championship team 25 years ago.

Phillies rookies Scott Kingery and Dylan Cozens were paired, while fan favorite Charlie Manuel, senior advisor to general manager Matt Klentak, made another appearance stationed in the Hall of Fame club.

The Phillies, who are a 1/2 game out of the second National League Wild Card spot, will begin a three-game set against the division-rival Washington Nationals on Thursday.