Royals fan with ALS sends emotional opening day message to players: ‘Love, Sarah’
Kauffman Stadium has been Sarah Nauser’s happy place for years, as a teenager heading to The K after softball practice at Blue Springs High with her best friend and as an adult, for a few precious innings, getting to watch over the dugout in her last day in full uniform as a police officer.
In May 2018, Nauser was diagnosed with ALS. In the years since, she has become one of the team’s most high-profile and loyal fans, beloved by players come and gone.
Royals players, her heroes, now call her their hero.
She is a passionate voice for ALS patients who believes that life can be awesome even when it doesn’t go the way we want.
Last season, the organization gifted Nauser, who breathes with assistance from a ventilator, a custom Royals wheelchair on MLB’s Lou Gehrig Day, which honored the former Yankees first baseman who died of complications from ALS, an especially cruel disease.
She spent time at spring training this year watching the team prepare for the new season.
Well, she’s ready too.
More than ready.
A few days ago she posted an emotional message to the team on Instagram, encouraging players to look up into the stands at the fans who, like her, draw strength from them.
She ended it with “love, Sarah.”
Here is her message.
“Dear Royals,
“A new season brings many things. A fresh start. A born-again hope and a renewed fight.
“I’m Sarah Nauser and for the last eight years I’ve been in a fight against ALS, or as some know it, Lou Gehrig’s disease.
“But just like Lou said back in 1939, I might have been given a bad break, but I have an awful lot to live for.
“I live for my family and friends, others in the fight against ALS, and I live for Royals baseball.
“This organization has rallied around me and supported me in ways I never could have dreamed of. You all have provided encouragement which has lifted my spirit, fueled my determination and reminded me that I’m never alone in this fight.
“For me, what you guys go out and do every day during the season is an outlet. It’s my escape from this dreadful disease. I get to forget about ALS and just enjoy Royals baseball.
“It’s so much more than just a game to me and to so many other Royals fans. I tell you this because I want you to truly feel the purpose in the game you get to play.
“Purpose is what fuels perseverance. It’s what carries me through my journey and will get you through slumps, injuries, setbacks and the long exhausting days of the season when the grind feels overwhelming.
“I hope you’ll take a moment to look up into the stands at all of us every game and remember this: You matter. You are someone’s inspiration. You are heroes in the eyes of children who dream of wearing that uniform one day.
“You are a source of hope for people like me who find strength, joy and escape in the game you play.
“Because of you I am reminded life is still beautiful, that joy is still possible and every day is worth fighting for.
“You have lifted me up, given me courage and helped me fight a battle I was once told I could not win. But I am winning. Each and every day. Because I am still here.
“It is truly one of the greatest honors of my life to cheer for this team. So today and every day this season, go out there and fight.
“Fight like a Royal.
“Love, Sarah.”
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