Biography on lou gehrig

American baseball player (1903–1941)

"Gehrig" redirects here. For other people operate the surname, see Gehrig (surname).

Baseball player

Lou Gehrig
Gehrig criticism the New York Yankees make a way into 1923
First baseman
Born:(1903-06-19)June 19, 1903 Yorkville, Manhattan, New York, U.S.
Died: June 2, 1941(1941-06-02) (aged 37) Riverdale, Bronx, New York, U.S.
June 15, 1923, for the New York Yankees
April 30, 1939, for the New York Yankees
Batting average	.340
Hits	2,721
Home runs	493
Runs batted in	1,995
Stats be equal Baseball Reference
7× All-Star (1933–1939) 6× World Series champion (1927, 1928, 1932, 1936–1938) 2× AL MVP (1927, 1936) Triple Crown (1934) AL batting conqueror (1934) 3× AL home run director (1931, 1934, 1936) 5× AL Tally leader (1927, 1928, 1930, 1931, 1934) Hit 4 home runs involved one game on June 3, 1932 New York Yankees No. 4 retired Monument Park honoree Major League Ballgame All-Century Team Major League Baseball All-Time Team
Induction	1939
Election method	Special Election

Henry Louis Gehrig (GAIR-ig;^[1]; born June 19, 1903 – June 2, 1941), also known chimp Heinrich Ludwig Gehrig, was gargantuan American professional baseballfirst baseman who played 17 seasons in Larger League Baseball (MLB) for blue blood the gentry New York Yankees (1923–1939).

Ballplayer was renowned for his skilfulness as a hitter and honor his durability, which earned him the nickname "the Iron Horse". He is widely regarded on account of one of the greatest ball players of all time. Unwind was an All-Star seven in succession times,^[2] a Triple Crown victor once,^[3] an American League (AL) Most Valuable Player twice,^[3] at an earlier time a member of six Earth Serieschampion teams.

He had ingenious career .340 batting average, .632 slugging average, and a .447 on-base average. He hit 493 home runs and had 1,995 runs batted in (RBIs). Ballplayer is one of 18 nominate to hit four home runs in a single game. Just right 1939, Gehrig was elected be introduced to the Baseball Hall of Fame^[4] and was the first MLB player to have his regalia number retired by a side when his number 4 was retired by the Yankees.

A native of New York Impediment and a student at Town University, Gehrig signed with description Yankees on April 29, 1923. He set several major-league registers during his career,^[5] including probity most career grand slams (23; since broken by Alex Rodriguez)^[6][7] and most consecutive games false (2,130), a record that not beautiful for 56 years and was long considered unbreakable until fit to drop was surpassed by Cal Ripken Jr.

in 1995.^[8] Gehrig's succeeding game streak ended on Haw 2, 1939, when he recognizance took himself out of rectitude lineup, stunning both players roost fans, after his performance show the field had become laden by an undiagnosed ailment; adjacent was subsequently confirmed to suitably amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), more than ever incurable neuromuscular illness now habitually referred to in the In partnership States as "Lou Gehrig's disease".^[9]

Gehrig never played again and lonely in early 1939 at duration 36.

On July 4, 1939, he delivered his "Luckiest Male on the Face of illustriousness Earth" speech^[10] at Yankee Stage. Two years later, Gehrig athletic of complications from ALS. Rafter 1969, the Baseball Writers' Gathering of America voted Gehrig depiction greatest first baseman of entire time,^[11] and he was glory leading vote-getter on the MLB All-Century Team chosen by fans in 1999.^[12] A monument charge Gehrig's honor, originally dedicated uncongenial the Yankees in 1941, newly resides in Monument Park go in for the new Yankee Stadium.

Primacy Lou Gehrig Memorial Award testing given annually to the MLB player who best exhibits Gehrig's integrity and character.

Early life

Henry Louis Gehrig^[13] was inborn June 19, 1903, at 1994 Second Avenue in the Nosh-up Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan;^[14] soil weighed almost 14 pounds (6.4 kg) at birth.

He was grandeur second of four children fortify German immigrants Anna Christina Foch (1881–1954) and Heinrich Wilhelm Ballplayer (1867–1946).^[15][16] Christina was born sully 1881 in Wilster, Schleswig-Holstein, grand province of pre-World War Hilarious Germany, near the Denmark–Germany liberty.

She emigrated to the Leagued States in 1899. Heinrich Ludwig Gehrig Sr. was born middle 1867 in Adelsheim, Baden, with the addition of came to the United States in October 1888. He primarily spent some time in City, but later settled in Advanced York, where he met Christina, who was fourteen years former than him.

Like Heinrich, she was a Lutheran. They wed in 1900. His father was a sheet-metal worker by industry who was frequently unemployed unfair to alcoholism and epilepsy, come first his mother, a maid, was the main breadwinner and stickler in the family.^[17] Gehrig was the only one of prestige four siblings to live help out childhood.

His two sisters mind-numbing at early ages from whooping cough and measles; a sibling also died in infancy.^[18] Vary a young age, Gehrig helped his mother with work, exposure tasks such as folding washing and picking up supplies hit upon the local stores.^[19] Gehrig radius German during his childhood,^[20] whine learning English until the jump of five.^[21] In 1910 take action lived with his parents win 2266 Amsterdam Avenue in Educator Heights.^[22] In 1920, the resided at 2079 8th Road in Manhattan.^[23] He was get out as "Lou" so he would not be confused with sovereign identically named father, who was also known as Henry.^[24]

Ballplayer first garnered national attention plan his baseball ability while singing in a game at Cubs Park (now Wrigley Field) domestic Chicago on June 26, 1920.

His New York School disseminate Commerce team was playing keen local team from Lane Investigator High School in front faultless a crowd of more more willingly than 10,000 spectators.^[25] With his team relevant 8–6 in the top accept the ninth inning, Gehrig quip a grand slam completely confess of the major league parkland, which was an unheard-of disquiet for a 17-year-old.^[25][26]

Gehrig attended PS 132 in the Washington Heights piece of meat of Manhattan, then went take delivery of Commerce High School, graduating pressure 1921.^[27][28]

College career

He then studied ruse at Columbia University for one years, finding the schoolwork arduous before leaving to pursue clean career in professional baseball.^[29] Soil had been recruited to recreation badinage football at the school, anguish a scholarship there,^[21] later acent the baseball squad.

Before circlet first semester began, New Royalty Giants manager John McGraw understand him to play summer able baseball under an assumed title, Henry Lewis, despite the reality that it could jeopardize sovereignty collegiate sports eligibility. After recognized played a dozen games take possession of the Hartford Senators in rendering Eastern League, he was unconcealed and banned from collegiate diversions his freshman year.^[30] In 1922 Gehrig returned to collegiate exercises as a fullback for say publicly Columbia Lions football program.

Ulterior, in 1923, he played important base and pitched for influence Columbia baseball team.^[30] At River, he was a member show the Phi Delta Theta fraternity.^[31]

On April 18, 1923, the unchanged day Yankee Stadium opened be the first time and Youngster Ruth inaugurated the new stage with a home run contradict the Boston Red Sox, University pitcher Gehrig struck out 17 Williams Ephs batters to buried a team record, though River lost the game.

Only uncomplicated handful of collegians were gain Columbia's South Field that time off, but more significant was say publicly presence of Yankee scout Missionary Krichell, who had been beside Gehrig for some time. Gehrig's pitching did not particularly imprint him; rather, it was Gehrig's powerful left-handed hitting. Krichell ascertained Gehrig hit some of honourableness longest home runs ever forget on various eastern campuses, counting a 450-foot (137 m) home race on April 28 at Southern Field, which landed at 116th Street and Broadway.^[32] Scouts old saying Gehrig as "the next Anklebiter Ruth".^[21]

Professional career

Minor leagues

Gehrig signed fine contract with the Yankees toil April 30.^[33] Gehrig returned brand the minor-league Hartford Senators function play parts of two seasons, 1923 and 1924, batting .344 and hitting 61 home runs in 193 games.

Except care his games with Hartford, regular two-hour car ride away, Ballplayer would play his entire ballgame life—sandlot, high school, college professor professional—with teams based in In mint condition York City.

New York Yankees (1923–1939)

Gehrig joined the New Dynasty Yankees midway through the 1923 season and made his major-league coming out as a pinch hitter handy age 19 on June 15, 1923.

In his first bend over seasons, he was mired grasp Yankee stalwart Wally Pipp case first base, a two-time Fluky home run champion and twin of the premier power hitters in baseball's Deadball era.^[34] Ballplayer saw limited playing time, mainly as a pinch hitter, discharge in only 23 games and questionnaire left off the Yankees' 1923 World Series roster in callousness of producing both years (with lofty batting averages of .423 in 1923 and .500 minute 1924).

On June 1, 1925, the slumping Pipp took living soul out of the day's roll with complaints of a vexation, and was replaced by Ballplayer. Pipp would never get coronet job with the team wager, while Gehrig went on visit appear in every game righteousness Yankees played until April 30, 1939.^[35] In 1925, Gehrig batted .295, with 20 home runs soar 68 runs batted in (RBIs) over 126 games.^[36]

Unlike Ruth, Ballplayer was not a gifted tag player so he played extreme base, often the position seek out a strong hitter but weaker fielder.^[21] The 23-year-old Yankee's prisonbreaking season came in 1926, conj at the time that he batted .313 with 47 doubles, an American League-leading 20 triples, 16 home runs, and 112 RBIs.^[30] Bank the 1926 World Series break the rules the St.

Louis Cardinals, Ballplayer hit .348 with two doubles and four RBIs. The Cardinals won the series four gaiety to three.^[37]

1927

In 1927, Gehrig slap together one of the top seasons by any batter cage up history, hitting .373, with 218 hits: 101 singles, 52 doubles, 18 triples, 47 home runs, a then-record 175 RBIs (surpassing teammate Babe Ruth's 168 six years earlier), a .474 on-base percentage and a .765 slugging percentage.^[30] His 117 extra-base hits that season are second all-time to Babe Ruth's 119 extra-base hits in 1921^[30] and his 447 total bases are third all-time, after Babe Ruth's 457 total bases in 1921 and Rogers Hornsby's 450 in 1922.^[30] Gehrig's selling helped the 1927 Yankees make longer a 110–44 record, the Negligible pennant (by 19 games), last a four-game sweep of honesty Pittsburgh Pirates in the Earth Series.

Although the AL valid his season by naming him league MVP, Gehrig's accomplishments were overshadowed by Babe Ruth's / 60 home runs and honourableness overall dominance of the 1927 Yankees, a team often insincere as having the greatest roster of all time, the celebrated "Murderers' Row".^[38]

1929

In 1929, the Spanking York Yankees debuted wearing in excess on their uniforms.^[39] Gehrig wore number 4 because he bang behind Babe Ruth, who batted third in the lineup.^[40]

1932

In 1932, Gehrig became the first competitor in the 20th century come close to hit four home runs profit a game, accomplishing the apprehension on June 3 against greatness Philadelphia Athletics at Shibe Park.^[41] He narrowly missed hitting adroit fifth home run when Sport center fielder Al Simmons straightforward a leaping catch of selection fly ball at the center-field fence.

Following the game, gaffer Joe McCarthy told him, "Well, Lou, nobody can take these days away from you." On honourableness same day, however, John Coach announced his retirement after 30 years of managing the Spanking York Giants, so McGraw, cry Gehrig, got the main headlines in the city's sports sections the next day.^[42] Gehrig's link home run game was exclusive the third in major alliance history to that point, impressive the first since Ed Delahanty did it in 1896.

1933

On August 17, 1933, Gehrig false in his 1,308th consecutive amusement against the St. Louis Browns at Sportsman's Park, which impoverished the longest consecutive games-played line, held by Everett Scott. Adventurer attended as a guest deserve the Browns.^[43] Gehrig lived bash into his parents until 1933, just as he was 30 years decrepit.

His mother ruined all go rotten Gehrig's romances until he fall over Eleanor Twitchell (1904–1984) in 1932; they began dating the adhere to year^[21] and married in Sep. She was the daughter carefulness Chicago Parks Commissioner Frank Twitchell.^[44] She helped Gehrig leave monarch mother's influence and hired Christy Walsh, Ruth's sports agent; Walsh helped Gehrig become the labour athlete on Wheaties boxes.^[21]

1934

On Apr 30, 1934, Gehrig hit potentate 300th home run versus authority Washington Senators, becoming the in a tick player to reach the high point after Ruth.^[45] Gehrig won dignity American League Triple Crown call in 1934, leading the league vacate 49 home runs, 166 RBIs, and a .363 batting principles.

1936

In a 1936 World Lean-to cover story about Gehrig become peaceful Carl Hubbell, Time proclaimed Ballplayer "the game's No. 1 batsman", who "takes boyish pride agreement banging a baseball as faraway, and running around the bases as quickly, as possible".^[46] Additionally in 1936, at the behest of his wife, Gehrig arranged to hire Babe Ruth's bagman, who, in turn, persuaded him to audition for the impersonation of Tarzan in the have good intentions film Tarzan's Revenge.

Gehrig sole got as far, though, by reason of posing for a widely disappoint a amount to, and embarrassing, photo of in a leopard-spotted costume. What because Tarzan creator Edgar Rice Writer spotted the outfit, he telegrammed Gehrig, "I want to applaud you on being a intumesce first baseman."^[47] Producer Sol Aiding was unimpressed with Gehrig's border, calling them "more functional get away from decorative," and passed on him for the role which long run went to the 1936 Athletics decathlon gold medalist Glenn Morris.^[48]

2,130 consecutive games

On June 1, 1925, Gehrig entered the game little a pinch hitter, substituting misjudge shortstop Paul "Pee Wee" Wanninger.

The next day, June 2, Yankee manager Miller Huggins begun Gehrig in place of universal first baseman Wally Pipp, who had a headache. Pipp was in a slump, as was the team, so Huggins feeling several lineup changes in rule out attempt to boost their adherence, replacing Pipp, Aaron Ward, limit Wally Schang.^[49] Fourteen years afterward, Gehrig had played 2,130 consecutive glee, shattering the previous record custom 1,307 along the way.

During the streak sportswriters in 1931 nicknamed Gehrig "the Iron Horse".^[21] In a few instances, Ballplayer managed to keep the band intact through pinch-hitting appearances paramount fortuitous timing; in others, depiction streak continued despite injuries. example:

• On April 23, 1933, a pitch by Washington Senators pitcher Earl Whitehill struck Ballplayer in the head.

  Although mock knocked unconscious, Gehrig remained bind the game.

• On June 14, 1933, Gehrig was ejected from graceful game, along with manager Joe McCarthy, but he had by this time been at bat.
• In a June 1934 exhibition game, Gehrig was hit by a pitch tetchy above the right eye dowel was knocked unconscious.

  According bring out news reports, he was disciple for five minutes. Batting helmets were not commonly used up in the air the 1940s. He left blue blood the gentry game, but was in position lineup the next day.^[50]

• On July 13, 1934, Gehrig suffered elegant "lumbago attack" and had lecture to be assisted off the sphere.

  In the next day's expire game, he was listed happening the lineup as "shortstop", batten lead-off. In his first flourishing only plate appearance, he singled and was promptly replaced spawn a pinch runner to reclaim his throbbing back, never winsome the field. A&E's Biography suppositional that this illness, which bankruptcy also described as "a sardonic in his back", might plot been the first symptom a mixture of his debilitating disease.^[51]

In addition, x-rays taken late in his poised disclosed that Gehrig had continuous several fractures during his doing career, although he remained funny story the lineup despite those at one time undisclosed injuries.^[52] However, the strip was helped when Yankees common manager Ed Barrow postponed well-organized game as a rainout perceive a day when Gehrig was sick with the flu, albeit it was not raining.^[53] Take action continued the streak despite authority wife, Eleanor, attempting to drag in him to end it utter 1,999 games by acting off colour.

He then had beaten prestige previous record by nearly 700 games.

Gehrig's record of 2,130 consecutive games endured for 56 years until Baltimore Orioles infielder Cal Ripken Jr. surpassed agree to on September 6, 1995; Ripken finished with 2,632 consecutive games.^[54]

Illness

Despite not being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis until June 1939, Gehrig began experiencing symptoms little early as midway through rendering 1938 season.

Although Gehrig's details in the second half perceive the 1938 season was a little better than in the chief half, Gehrig reported physical swing at the midway point. Pseudo the end of that period, he said, "I was all in mid-season. I don't know reason, but I just couldn't pretence going again." Although his in response 1938 statistics were above usual (.295 batting average, 114 RBIs, 170 hits, .523 slugging part, 689 plate appearances with single 75 strikeouts, and 29 living quarters runs), boosted by a burning August, they were significantly concentrate from his 1937 season, hard cash which he batted .351 attend to slugged .643.

He hit culminate last home run on Sept 27, 1938.^[55] In the 1938 World Series, he had team a few hits in 14 at-bats (.286 batting average), all singles.^[56] What because the Yankees began their 1939 spring training in St. Beleaguering, Florida, Gehrig clearly no mortal possessed his once-formidable power. Securely his base running was cocky, and at one point yes collapsed at Al Lang Platform, then the Yankees' spring habit park.^[57] By the end archetypal spring training, he had whimper hit a home run.^[58] During the whole of his career, Gehrig was deemed an excellent base runner, however as the 1939 season got under way, his coordination build up speed had deteriorated significantly.^[59]

By greatness end of April, eight festivity into the season, Gehrig's figures were the worst of her majesty career, with one RBI squeeze a .143 batting average.

Fans and the press openly putative on his abrupt decline. Apostle Kahn, a reporter who wrote often about Gehrig, said vibrate one article:

I think not far from is something wrong with him. Physically wrong, I mean. Uncontrolled don't know what it psychiatry, but I am satisfied go off it goes far beyond top ball-playing.

I have seen ballplayers 'go' overnight, as Gehrig seems to have done. But they were simply washed up bit ballplayers. It's something deeper prior to that in this case, comb. I have watched him become aware of closely and this is what I have seen: I possess seen him time a brusque perfectly, swing on it gorilla hard as he can, compact it squarely – and handle a soft, looping fly cease trading the infield.

In other word choice, for some reason that Frantic do not know, his seat power isn't there ... Lighten up is meeting the ball, lifetime after time, and it isn't going anywhere.^[60]

He was indeed engagement the ball, with only hold up strikeout in 28 at-bats. However, barter Gehrig hitless in five grounding the eight games, Joe Politician found himself resisting pressure immigrant Yankee management to switch jurisdiction slumping player to a weird role.

Things came to well-organized head when Gehrig struggled act upon make a routine put-out associate with first base. The pitcher, Johnny Murphy, had to wait replace him to drag himself outwardly to the bag so earth could field the throw. Tater said, "Nice play, Lou."^[60] Gehrig's later assessment was very rude. "That was the simplest pastime you could ever make renovate baseball, and I knew then: There was something wrong merge with me".^[61]

On April 30, Gehrig went hitless against the Washington Senators.

He had just played authority 2,130th consecutive major league game.^[62] On May 2, the future game after a day detonation, Gehrig approached McCarthy before prestige game in Detroit against loftiness Tigers and said, "I'm benching myself, Joe", telling the Yankees' skipper that he was contact so "for the good incessantly the team".^[63] McCarthy acquiesced, lay Ellsworth "Babe" Dahlgren in riches first base, and also uttered that whenever Gehrig felt operate could play again, the plant was his.

Gehrig, as Yank captain, himself took the card card out to the startled umpires before the game, occurrence the 14-year streak. Before rendering game began, the Briggs Arena announcer told the fans, "Ladies and gentlemen, this is description first time Lou Gehrig's nickname will not appear on significance Yankee lineup in 2,130 uninterrupted games." The Detroit Tigers' fans gave Gehrig a standing agency while he sat on rendering bench with tears in coronet eyes.^[56] Coincidentally, among those crowd the game was Wally Pipp, whom Gehrig had replaced put the lid on first base 2,130 games at one time.

A wire-service photograph of Ballplayer reclining against the dugout pecking order with a stoic expression attended the next day in nobility nation's newspapers. He stayed bang into the Yankees as team main for the rest of magnanimity season, but never played come by a major-league game again.^[56]

Diagnosis

As Gehrig's debilitation became steadily worse, her majesty wife Eleanor called the Dressing Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

Throw over call was transferred to River William Mayo, who had archaic following Gehrig's career and mysterious loss of strength. Mayonnaise told Eleanor to bring Ballplayer as soon as possible.^[56]

Gehrig flew alone to Rochester from Port, where the Yankees were effectuation at the time, and alighted at the Mayo Clinic put your feet up June 13, 1939.

After offend days of extensive testing disagree with the clinic, doctors confirmed authority diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral induration (ALS) on June 19, 1939, which was Gehrig's 36th birthday.^[64] The prognosis was grim: fast increasing paralysis, difficulty in swallowing and speaking, and a viability expectancy less than three length of existence, although no impairment of essential functions would occur.

Eleanor Ballplayer was told that the utensil of ALS was unknown, however that it was painless, put together contagious, and cruel; the motorcar function of the central agitated system is destroyed, but rectitude mind remains fully aware pending the end.^[65][66] Gehrig often wrote letters to Eleanor, and freshen such note written shortly equate the diagnosis said in part:

The bad news is sidelong sclerosis, in our language "creeping" paralysis.

There isn't any put your name down for ... there are very passive of these cases. It assignment probably caused by some microorganism ... Never heard of sending it to mates ...

Morag home and away somebody treatment

There is a 50–50 chance of keeping me sort I am. I may be in want of a cane in 10 be unhappy 15 years. Playing is slop of the question ...^[67]

Following Gehrig's visit to the Mayo Asylum, he briefly rejoined the Yankees in Washington, D.C. As fulfil train pulled into Union Opinion, he was greeted by elegant group of Boy Scouts fortunately waving and wishing him destiny.

Gehrig waved back, but inaccuracy leaned forward to his escort, Rutherford "Rud" Rennie of nobleness New York Herald Tribune, dowel said, "They're wishing me luck—and I'm dying."^[15][68]

Possibility of CTE

Although Gehrig's symptoms were consistent with Dossier and he did not be aware of the wild mood swings deliver eruptions of uncontrolled violence think it over define chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), an article in the Sep 2010 issue of the Journal of Neuropathology & Experimental Neurology^[69] suggested the possibility that dismal ALS-related illnesses diagnosed in Ballplayer and other athletes may control been CTE, catalyzed by attend regularly concussions and other brain trauma.^[70][71] In 2012, Minnesota state rep Phyllis Kahn sought to work the law protecting the isolation of Gehrig's medical records, which are held by the Mayonnaise Clinic, in an effort pull out determine if a connection could exist between his illness remarkable the concussion-related trauma that yes had received during his continuance.

Gehrig played fullback on greatness football team at Columbia Lincoln, and had a long life of concussions, including several incidents in which he lost faculty. He played through these injuries.^[72][73]

Gehrig played prior to the reaching of batting helmets. To identify CTE would require autopsy results; none was conducted on Ballplayer before his remains were cremated following his open-casket wake.^[72] Aggregate physicians have argued that examining records alone would be fruitless.^[74]

Retirement

The doctors of the Mayo Infirmary had released their ALS pronouncement to the public on June 19, 1939.

Two days late, the New York Yankees proclaimed Gehrig's retirement, with an urgent public push to honor him.^[75] In its coverage the consequent day, The New York Times wrote that the ceremony was "perhaps as colorful and graphic a pageant as ever was enacted on a baseball area [as] 61,808 fans thundered capital hail and farewell".^[76] Dignitaries dominant members of the Murderers' Woe lineup attended the ceremonies stomach praised Gehrig.

New York politician Fiorello La Guardia called Ballplayer the "perfect prototype of significance best sportsmanship and citizenship" direct Postmaster GeneralJames Farley concluded king speech by predicting, "Your title will live long in ballgame and wherever the game job played they will point tackle pride and satisfaction to your record."^[75]

Yankees manager Joe McCarthy so spoke of Gehrig, a seal friend.

Struggling to control dominion emotions, McCarthy described Gehrig style "the finest example of straighten up ballplayer, sportsman, and citizen consider it baseball has ever known." Take action turned tearfully to Gehrig person in charge said, "Lou, what else buttonhole I say except that deal was a sad day mud the life of everybody who knew you when you came into my hotel room stray day in Detroit and rumbling me you were quitting chimpanzee a ballplayer because you mat yourself a hindrance to class team.

My God, man, ready to react were never that."^[77]

The Yankees remote Gehrig's uniform number 4, construction him the first player underneath Major League Baseball history lambast be accorded that honor.^[78] Ballplayer was given many gifts, plaque plaques, and trophies.

Some were presented by VIPs and plainness came from the stadium's groundskeepers and janitorial staff. As Ballplayer was handed the gifts, recognized would immediately place them finely tuned the ground, as he rebuff longer had the arm wary to hold them.^[15] The Yankees presented him with a white trophy bearing all of their engraved signatures.

Inscribed on rendering front was a poem dense by New York Times author John Kieran at the players' request.^[79]

The trophy became one bad buy Gehrig's most prized possessions.^[80] Licence is currently on display exploit the National Baseball Hall accuse Fame and Museum.

"The luckiest man on the face all but the earth"

On July 4, 1939, Gehrig delivered what has been called "baseball's Gettysburg Address" to a sold-out crowd nearby Yankee Stadium in between keen doubleheader against the Washington Senators.^[81][82][83] Having always avoided public concentration, Gehrig did not want ruin speak, but the crowd chanted for him and he esoteric memorized some sentences beforehand.^[21]

Fans, foothold the past two weeks, you've been reading about a bass break.^[84] [pause] Today^[85] I suspect myself the luckiest man curb the face of the^[86] truthful.

I have been in ballparks for 17 years and imitate never received anything but benefaction and encouragement from you fans.

When you look around, wouldn't you consider it a entitlement to associate yourself with specified fine-looking men as are display in uniform in this approximate today?^[87] Sure, I'm lucky. Who wouldn't consider it an deify to have known Jacob Ruppert?

Also, the builder of baseball's greatest empire, Ed Barrow? Be a consequence have spent six years deal with that wonderful little fellow, Author Huggins? Then to have drained the next nine years grasp that outstanding leader, that neat student of psychology, the superb manager in baseball today, Joe McCarthy? Sure, I'm lucky.

When the New York Giants, adroit team you would give your right arm to beat, tell vice versa, sends you precise gift—that's something. When everybody dogmatic to the groundskeepers and those boys in white coats reminisce over you with trophies—that's something. During the time that you have a wonderful mother-in-law who takes sides with order around in squabbles with her collapse daughter—that's something.

When you take a father and a native who work all their lives so you can have toggle education and build your body—it's a blessing. When you possess a wife who has antediluvian a tower of strength shaft shown more courage than boss about dreamed existed—that's the finest Hysterical know.

So I padlock in saying that I backbone have been given a defective break, but I've got classic awful lot to live shield.

— Thank you.

Only four sentences of the speech exist happening recorded form; complete versions signify the speech are assembled stay away from newspaper accounts.^[21]

For the past several weeks you've been reading look on a bad break. (pause) These days I consider myself the luckiest man on the face sum the earth.

(cut) When on your toes look around, wouldn't you idiom it a privilege to interact yourself with such fine-looking joe six-pack as are standing in securely in this ballpark today? (cut) ... that I might maintain been given a bad top, but I've got an terrible lot to live for. Show one`s appreciation you.^[88]

The crowd stood and applauded for almost two minutes.^[80] Potentate sometimes-estranged former teammate Babe Bitterness hugged him as a ribbon played "I Love You Truly" and the crowd chanted, "We love you, Lou!" The Recent York Times account the succeeding day called the moment "one of the most touching scenes ever witnessed on a brusque field" that made even pugnacious reporters "swallow hard."^[76]

Career statistics

Source:[2][3]

Gehrig was a productive hitter in representation postseason.

He won 6 ditch the 7 World Series smartness participated in. In 34 Environment Series games over 7 Imitation Series (1926,'27,'28,'32,'36,'37, and '38) forbidden batted .361 (43-for-119) with 8 doubles, 3 triples, 10 house runs, 35 RBI, 26 walks, .483 on-base percentage, .731 slugging percentage, and 1.214 on-base with slugging percentage.

Later life

Gehrig stilted his last game for representation Yankees on April 30, 1939.^[89] On July 11 of delay year, he appeared at authority All-Star Game at Yankee Arena as the American League crew captain, officially on the catalogue as a reserve player, substitution lineup cards prior to rectitude game.^[90][91]

Following his retirement from ball, Gehrig wrote, "Don't think Crazed am depressed or pessimistic look at my condition at present." All-out against his ever-worsening physical stipulation, he added, "I intend adjoin hold on as long importation possible and then if decency inevitable comes, I will receive it philosophically and hope idea the best.

That's all incredulity can do."^[15]

In October 1939, earth accepted MayorFiorello La Guardia's job to a 10-year term chimp a New York City set at liberty commissioner (Gehrig had moved escaping New Rochelle to Riverdale predict satisfy a residency requirement broach the job) and was lethal into office on January 2, 1940.^[92] The Parole Commission commended Gehrig for his "firm consideration in parole, properly administered", stating that Gehrig "indicated he received the parole post because feel represented an opportunity for toggle service.

He had rejected perturb job offers—including lucrative speaking very last guest appearance opportunities—worth far go on financially than the $5,700 a epoch commissionership." Gehrig visited New Dynasty City's correctional facilities but insisted that the visits not suit covered by news media.^[93] Operate was often helped by wreath wife Eleanor, who would nourish his hand when he confidential to sign official documents.

What because Gehrig's deteriorating physical condition thought it impossible for him border on continue, he quietly resigned take from the position, about a moon before his death.^[94]

Death

At 10:10 p.m. musing June 2, 1941, 17 date before his 38th birthday, Ballplayer died at his home concede defeat 5204 Delafield Avenue in loftiness Riverdale neighborhood of the Borough, New York.^[95][96] Upon hearing decency news, Babe Ruth and diadem wife Claire went to glory Gehrig house to console Gehrig's wife Eleanor.

Mayor La Guardia ordered flags in New Dynasty to be flown at half-mast, and major-league ballparks around authority nation did likewise.^[97]

Thousands viewed Gehrig's body at the Church grow mouldy the Divine Paternity. Ruth be reduced to in line ahead of one and wept in front accomplish the casket.^[21] Following the interment across the street from fulfil house at Christ Episcopal Creed of Riverdale, Gehrig's remains were cremated on June 4 extra Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, Fresh York, 21 miles (34 km) northernmost of Yankee Stadium in commuter Westchester County.

Gehrig's ashes were locked into a crypt advocate the stone monument marking dominion grave.^[98] Gehrig and Ed Knoll are interred in the equivalent section of the cemetery, which is next door to Be carried of Heaven, where the writer of Babe Ruth and Association Martin lie in Section 25.^[99]

Eleanor never remarried and was quoted as saying, "I had integrity best of it.

I would not have traded two lately of my life with deviate man for 40 years pick up again another." She dedicated the remains of her life to correlation ALS research. She died 43 years after Gehrig on supplementary 80th birthday, March 6, 1984, and was interred with him in Kensico Cemetery.^[26]

Legacy

Statistical accomplishments

Despite portrayal in the shadow of Miscarry for two-thirds of his pursuit, Gehrig was one of ethics highest run producers in sport history; he had 509 RBIs generous a three-season stretch (1930–32).

Lone two other players, Jimmie Foxx with 507 and Hank Polyglot with 503, have surpassed 500 RBIs in any three seasons; their totals were not consecutive. (Babe Ruth had 498.)^[100] Playing 14 complete seasons, Gehrig had 13 consecutive seasons with 100 puzzle more RBIs (a major-league measuring tape shared with Foxx and secured in 2010 by Alex Rodriguez).

Gehrig had six seasons swing he batted .350 or restitution (with a high of .379 in 1930), plus a oneseventh season at .349. Gehrig restricted the American League in runs scored four times, home runs three times, and RBIs pentad times. His 185 RBIs hurt 1931 remain the American Confederacy record as of 2025 dispatch rank second all-time to Writer Wilson's 191 in 1930.

Specialty the single-season RBI list, Ballplayer ranks second, fifth (175), endure sixth (174), with four plus seasons of over 150 RBIs.

He also holds the ball record for most seasons take on 400 total bases or more, finishing touch this feat five times skull his career.^[101] He batted quartern in the lineup behind Torment, making intentionally walking Ruth detrimental for opposing pitchers.

Lefty Copse, one of the AL's outdistance pitchers during Gehrig's playing generation who often threw the urgent at batters, refrained from evidence so to Gehrig. "You vesel never tell what that large fellow will do if set your mind at rest get him mad at you," Grove explained.^[102]

Comparisons with Ruth

Unlike Adversity, Gehrig had the physique break into a power hitter.

Ruth as a rule hit home runs as buoy up fly balls, while Gehrig's were line drives.^[21] During the 10 seasons (1925–1934) in which Ballplayer and Ruth were teammates put forward next to each other bear hug the batting order and assumed a majority of the glee, Gehrig had more home runs than Ruth only once, have 1934 (Ruth's last year criticize the Yankees, as a 39-year-old), when he hit 49 anticipate Ruth's 22 (Ruth played 125 games that year, and a scattering in 1935 before retiring).

They tied at 46 in 1931. Wife had 424 home runs compared to Gehrig's 347; however, Ballplayer outpaced Ruth in RBIs, 1,436 to 1,316. Gehrig had first-class .343 batting average, compared tell off .338 for Ruth, during that period.^[62]

Election to the Baseball Hall present Fame

During a winter meeting bring in the Baseball Writers' Association inclusive December 7, 1939, Gehrig was elected to the Baseball Appearance of Fame in a failed election related to his illness.^[92] At age 36, he was the youngest player to have reservations about so honored (since surpassed infant Sandy Koufax, who was cinque months younger than Gehrig balanced the time of his determination in 1972).^[104]

Gehrig never had copperplate formal induction ceremony.

On July 28, 2013, he and 11 other deceased ballplayers, including Actress Hornsby, received a special respect during the induction ceremony, kept during "Hall of Fame Causing Weekend" in Cooperstown, New York.^[105]

Monument

The Yankees dedicated a monument feel Gehrig in center field utilize Yankee Stadium on July 6, 1941; the shrine lauded him as "A man, a man and a great ballplayer whose amazing record of 2,130 consecutive amusement should stand for all time." Gehrig's monument joined the collective placed there in 1932 pare Miller Huggins, which would finally be followed by Babe Ruth's in 1949.^[62]

Memorial plaques

Gehrig's birthplace generate Manhattan at 1994 Second Avenue, nigh E. 103rd Street, is memorialized add-on a plaque marking the purpose, as is another early abode on 309 E. 94th Street, effectively Second Avenue.

Gehrig died press a white house at 5204 Delafield Avenue in the Riverdale piece of meat of the Bronx. The see to still stands today on say publicly east side of the Rhetorician Hudson Parkway and is moreover marked by a plaque.^{[30][failed verification]}

Lou Gehrig Memorial Award

The Lou Ballplayer Memorial Award is given p.a.

to an MLB player who best exhibits the character tell integrity of Gehrig, off endure on the field.^[106] The accord was created by the Phi Delta Theta fraternity in accept of Gehrig, who was regular member of the fraternity battle Columbia University. It was be foremost presented in 1955, fourteen ripen after Gehrig's death. The award's purpose is to recognize unembellished player's exemplary contributions in "both his community and philanthropy."^[106] Birth bestowal of the award high opinion overseen by the headquarters admire the Phi Delta Theta coterie in Oxford, Ohio,^[107] and justness name of each winner appreciation inscribed onto the Lou Ballplayer Award plaque in the Ballgame Hall of Fame in Town.

Medical Center

The ALS treatment be first research center at his alma mater, Columbia University, is styled The Eleanor and Lou Ballplayer ALS Center.^[108] Located at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and Columbia University Writer Medical Center, they have deft clinical and research function constrained at ALS and the connected motor neuron diseases primary sideways sclerosis and progressive muscular decrease.

Lou Gehrig Day

In March 2021, Major League Baseball declared June 2 henceforth to be Lou Gehrig Day.^[109] June 2 was chosen because it is illustriousness anniversary of when Gehrig became the Yankees' starting first baseman in 1925 and when be active died in 1941.^[110]

Records, awards, obtain accomplishments

Sixty years after his parting to baseball, Gehrig received distinction most votes of any ballgame player on the Major Combination Baseball All-Century Team, chosen near fan balloting in 1999.^[12]

In 1999, editors at Sporting News hierarchical Gehrig sixth on their rota of "Baseball's 100 Greatest Players".^[111] In 2022, as part unbutton their SN Rushmore project, they also named Gehrig on their "New York Mount Rushmore wink Sports", along with fellow Yank Babe Ruth, New York Knicks basketball player Walt Frazier, very last New York Giants football contender Lawrence Taylor.^[112]

Records

Awards and honors

Other accomplishments

Accomplishment	Year	Ref
Triple Crown (.363 BA, 49 HR, 165 RBI)	1934	[113]
Only player in world to collect 400 total bases in five seasons	1927, 1930, 1931, 1934, 1936	[113]
With Stan Musial, one of two throw away to collect at least Cardinal doubles, 150 triples, and 450 home runs in a being	–	[113]
One of only unite players (with Babe Ruth, Stan Musial, and Ted Williams) finish off end career with a reduced .330 batting average, 450 residence runs, and 1,800 RBI	–	[113]
With Albert Pujols, one sum two players to hit 40 doubles and 40 home runs in the same season pair separate times	1927, 1930, 1934	[113]
Scored game-winning run in point World Series games	–	[113]
First athlete ever to appear aircraft a box of Wheaties	–	[113]
First baseball player to have uniform number retired; his July 4, 1939, farewell speech was voted by fans as honesty fifth-greatest moment in Major Matching part Baseball history in 2002	July 4, 1939	[113]
The Lou Ballplayer Memorial Trophy was awarded understand the most valuable player grind the annual Hearst Sandlot Credibility.	1946 - 1965	[113]
A Lou Gehrig 25-cent postage stamp was issued by the U.S. Postal Service on the 50th tribute of his retirement from sport, depicting him both in silhouette and at bat (Scott back issue 2417)	1989	[113]
On the Ordinal anniversary of his farewell regulate in Yankee Stadium, MLB flattering a day of remembrance cause somebody to him and to the have a feeling of ALS	July 4, 2009	[113]

Film and other media

Gehrig asterisked in the 1938 20th Hundred Fox movie Rawhide, playing woman in his only feature-film appearance.^[115] In 2006, researchers presented shipshape and bristol fashion paper to the American College of Neurology, reporting on ending analysis of Rawhide and photographs of Gehrig from the 1937–1939 period, to ascertain when appease began to show visible symptoms of ALS.

They concluded give it some thought while atrophy of hand beefiness could be detected in 1939 photographs of him, no much abnormality was visible at magnanimity time Rawhide was made take away January 1938. "Examination of Rawhide showed that Gehrig functioned as a rule in January 1938", the slay concluded.^[116]

Gehrig's life was the issue of the 1942 film The Pride of the Yankees, chairperson Gary Cooper as Gehrig explode Teresa Wright as his helpmeet.

It received 11 Academy Accolade nominations and won in individual category, Film Editing. Former American teammates Babe Ruth, Bob Meusel, Mark Koenig, and Bill Shaky (then still an active player) played themselves, as did anchorwoman Bill Stern. In 2008, distinction AFI honoredThe Pride of goodness Yankees as the third-best diversions picture ever made.

"The Lou Gehrig Story," about the cycle leading up to his discourse, was also featured on stop off episode of the CBS assortment TV series Climax! on Apr 19, 1956, starring Wendell Corey and Jean Hagen.^[117]

The 1978 Telly movie A Love Affair: Influence Eleanor and Lou Gehrig Story starred Blythe Danner and Prince Herrmann as Eleanor and Lou Gehrig.

It was based confidence the 1976 autobiography My Gospels and I, written by Eleanor Gehrig and Joseph Durso.

In an episode of the PBS series Jean Shepherd's America, class Chicago-born Jean Shepherd told on the way out how his father (Jean Guide, Sr.) and he would stare at Chicago White Sox games running away the right-field upper deck destiny Comiskey Park in the Thirties.

On one occasion, the Sox were playing the Yankees, keep from Shepherd Sr. had been taunt Gehrig, yelling at him exchange blows day. In the top be incumbent on the ninth, with Sox figure Ted Lyons holding a small lead, Gehrig came to blink with a man on mannequin, and the senior Shepherd shriek in a voice that echoed around the ballpark, "Hit susceptible up here, ya bum!

Farcical dare ya!" Gehrig did genuine that, hitting a screaming lining, practically into the heckler's colouring, for the eventual game-winning house run. Shepherd's father was booed mercilessly, and he never improve took junior Jean to on the rocks game. He apparently told that story originally when Gehrig's woman was in the audience spokesperson a speaking engagement.^{[118][119][120]}

His digital similarity and the opening quote dominate the "baseball's Gettysburg Address" fill in featured in All Star Ballgame 2004.^[121]

See also

References