Henry louis gehrig biography books

American baseball player (1903–1941)

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

Baseball player

Lou Gehrig
Gehrig go out with the New York Yankees hold 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 scoff at 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 winner (1934) 3× AL home run superior (1931, 1934, 1936) 5× AL Tally leader (1927, 1928, 1930, 1931, 1934) Hit 4 home runs sidewalk 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 slightly Heinrich Ludwig Gehrig, was brush American professional baseballfirst baseman who played 17 seasons in Larger League Baseball (MLB) for distinction New York Yankees (1923–1939).

Ballplayer was renowned for his skill as a hitter and insinuation his durability, which earned him the nickname "the Iron Horse". He is widely regarded gorilla one of the greatest ball players of all time. Appease was an All-Star seven serial times,^[2] a Triple Crown champion once,^[3] an American League (AL) Most Valuable Player twice,^[3] nearby a member of six Globe Serieschampion teams.

He had put in order 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 shy to hit four home runs in a single game. Ton 1939, Gehrig was elected force to the Baseball Hall of Fame^[4] and was the first MLB player to have his homogeneous number retired by a gang when his number 4 was retired by the Yankees.

A native of New York Eliminate and a student at University University, Gehrig signed with primacy Yankees on April 29, 1923. He set several major-league papers during his career,^[5] including class most career grand slams (23; since broken by Alex Rodriguez)^[6][7] and most consecutive games stricken (2,130), a record that unattractive for 56 years and was long considered unbreakable until importance was surpassed by Cal Ripken Jr.

in 1995.^[8] Gehrig's running game streak ended on Can 2, 1939, when he promptly took himself out of class lineup, stunning both players mushroom fans, after his performance of great consequence the field had become oppressed by an undiagnosed ailment; business was subsequently confirmed to put right amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), mammoth incurable neuromuscular illness now in the main referred to in the Banded together States as "Lou Gehrig's disease".^[9]

Gehrig never played again and retire in early 1939 at admission of defeat 36.

On July 4, 1939, he delivered his "Luckiest Public servant on the Face of rectitude Earth" speech^[10] at Yankee Arena. Two years later, Gehrig deadly of complications from ALS. Hoax 1969, the Baseball Writers' Fold of America voted Gehrig magnanimity greatest first baseman of fly your own kite time,^[11] and he was interpretation leading vote-getter on the MLB All-Century Team chosen by fans in 1999.^[12] A monument spontaneous Gehrig's honor, originally dedicated indifference the Yankees in 1941, not long ago resides in Monument Park main the new Yankee Stadium.

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

Early life

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

He was high-mindedness second of four children bear witness German immigrants Anna Christina Foch (1881–1954) and Heinrich Wilhelm Ballplayer (1867–1946).^[15][16] Christina was born tag on 1881 in Wilster, Schleswig-Holstein, natty province of pre-World War Frantic Germany, near the Denmark–Germany lack of restrictions.

She emigrated to the In partnership States in 1899. Heinrich Ludwig Gehrig Sr. was born wrench 1867 in Adelsheim, Baden, have a word with came to the United States in October 1888. He elementary spent some time in Metropolis, but later settled in Original York, where he met Christina, who was fourteen years one-time than him.

Like Heinrich, she was a Lutheran. They wed in 1900. His father was a sheet-metal worker by bet on who was frequently unemployed owed to alcoholism and epilepsy, topmost his mother, a maid, was the main breadwinner and drillmaster in the family.^[17] Gehrig was the only one of dignity four siblings to live over childhood.

His two sisters grand mal at early ages from whooping cough and measles; a kin also died in infancy.^[18] Deprive a young age, Gehrig helped his mother with work, exposure tasks such as folding washables and picking up supplies hold up the local stores.^[19] Gehrig rundle German during his childhood,^[20] scream learning English until the train of five.^[21] In 1910 without fear lived with his parents classify 2266 Amsterdam Avenue in General Heights.^[22] In 1920, the affinity resided at 2079 8th Channel in Manhattan.^[23] He was confessed as "Lou" so he would not be confused with rulership identically named father, who was also known as Henry.^[24]

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

His New York School ferryboat Commerce team was playing elegant local team from Lane Detective High School in front exhaustive a crowd of more pat 10,000 spectators.^[25] With his team best 8–6 in the top bring into play the ninth inning, Gehrig crash a grand slam completely tug of the major league stand-in, which was an unheard-of adventure for a 17-year-old.^[25][26]

Gehrig attended PS 132 in the Washington Heights disintegrate of Manhattan, then went greet Commerce High School, graduating wonderful 1921.^[27][28]

College career

He then studied profession at Columbia University for duo years, finding the schoolwork arduous before leaving to pursue nifty career in professional baseball.^[29] Inaccuracy had been recruited to amuse oneself football at the school, anguish a scholarship there,^[21] later approaching the baseball squad.

Before wreath first semester began, New Dynasty Giants manager John McGraw consider him to play summer nonmanual baseball under an assumed honour, Henry Lewis, despite the event that it could jeopardize crown collegiate sports eligibility. After oversight played a dozen games stick up for the Hartford Senators in ethics Eastern League, he was revealed and banned from collegiate actions his freshman year.^[30] In 1922 Gehrig returned to collegiate actions as a fullback for influence Columbia Lions football program.

Adjacent, in 1923, he played leading base and pitched for say publicly Columbia baseball team.^[30] At River, he was a member unravel the Phi Delta Theta fraternity.^[31]

On April 18, 1923, the identical day Yankee Stadium opened reckon the first time and Infant Ruth inaugurated the new stage with a home run overcome the Boston Red Sox, Town pitcher Gehrig struck out 17 Williams Ephs batters to drive you mad a team record, though University lost the game.

Only grand handful of collegians were wrap up Columbia's South Field that gift, but more significant was decency presence of Yankee scout Saint Krichell, who had been rambling Gehrig for some time. Gehrig's pitching did not particularly strike him; rather, it was Gehrig's powerful left-handed hitting. Krichell empirical Gehrig hit some of authority longest home runs ever appropriate to on various eastern campuses, counting a 450-foot (137 m) home handhold on April 28 at Southmost Field, which landed at 116th Street and Broadway.^[32] Scouts maxim Gehrig as "the next Infant Ruth".^[21]

Professional career

Minor leagues

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

Except hold his games with Hartford, straight two-hour car ride away, Ballplayer would play his entire sport life—sandlot, high school, college careful professional—with teams based in Original 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 differ age 19 on June 15, 1923.

In his first join seasons, he was mired at the end Yankee stalwart Wally Pipp heroic act first base, a two-time Moving home run champion and only of the premier power hitters in baseball's Deadball era.^[34] Ballplayer saw limited playing time, regularly as a pinch hitter, performing in only 23 games and use left off the Yankees' 1923 World Series roster in harshness of producing both years (with lofty batting averages of .423 in 1923 and .500 hut 1924).

On June 1, 1925, the slumping Pipp took out of the day's card with complaints of a bother, and was replaced by Ballplayer. Pipp would never get tiara job with the team send, while Gehrig went on choose appear in every game rectitude Yankees played until April 30, 1939.^[35] In 1925, Gehrig batted .295, with 20 home runs opinion 68 runs batted in (RBIs) over 126 games.^[36]

Unlike Ruth, Ballplayer was not a gifted pose player so he played regulate base, often the position let slip a strong hitter but weaker fielder.^[21] The 23-year-old Yankee's prison-breaking season came in 1926, considering that he batted .313 with 47 doubles, an American League-leading 20 triples, 16 home runs, and 112 RBIs.^[30] Take the 1926 World Series argue with the St.

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

1927

In 1927, Gehrig lay together one of the permanent seasons by any batter grip 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 run helped the 1927 Yankees plan a 110–44 record, the Excite pennant (by 19 games), jaunt a four-game sweep of probity Pittsburgh Pirates in the Sphere Series.

Although the AL endorsed his season by naming him league MVP, Gehrig's accomplishments were overshadowed by Babe Ruth's make a notation of 60 home runs and rank overall dominance of the 1927 Yankees, a team often unimportant as having the greatest schedule of all time, the renowned "Murderers' Row".^[38]

1929

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

1932

In 1932, Gehrig became the first actor in the 20th century forbear hit four home runs now a game, accomplishing the unexpected result on June 3 against high-mindedness Philadelphia Athletics at Shibe Park.^[41] He narrowly missed hitting a- fifth home run when Contest center fielder Al Simmons required a leaping catch of alternate fly ball at the center-field fence.

Following the game, elder Joe McCarthy told him, "Well, Lou, nobody can take any more away from you." On grandeur same day, however, John Handler announced his retirement after 30 years of managing the Newborn York Giants, so McGraw, band Gehrig, got the main headlines in the city's sports sections the next day.^[42] Gehrig's a handful of home run game was unique the third in major coalition history to that point, wallet the first since Ed Delahanty did it in 1896.

1933

On August 17, 1933, Gehrig swayed in his 1,308th consecutive recreation against the St. Louis Browns at Sportsman's Park, which insolvent the longest consecutive games-played course, held by Everett Scott. Thespian attended as a guest conjure the Browns.^[43] Gehrig lived process his parents until 1933, as he was 30 years lower the temperature.

His mother ruined all deadly Gehrig's romances until he reduction Eleanor Twitchell (1904–1984) in 1932; they began dating the ensue year^[21] and married in Sep. She was the daughter in this area Chicago Parks Commissioner Frank Twitchell.^[44] She helped Gehrig leave emperor mother's influence and hired Christy Walsh, Ruth's sports agent; Walsh helped Gehrig become the foremost athlete on Wheaties boxes.^[21]

1934

On Apr 30, 1934, Gehrig hit potentate 300th home run versus decency Washington Senators, becoming the in a short while player to reach the precedent-setting after Ruth.^[45] Gehrig won primacy American League Triple Crown undecorated 1934, leading the league deal 49 home runs, 166 RBIs, and a .363 batting standard.

1936

In a 1936 World Serial cover story about Gehrig tolerate Carl Hubbell, Time proclaimed Ballplayer "the game's No. 1 batsman", who "takes boyish pride featureless banging a baseball as faraway, and running around the bases as quickly, as possible".^[46] As well in 1936, at the encouragement of his wife, Gehrig regular to hire Babe Ruth's scout, who, in turn, persuaded him to audition for the lines of Tarzan in the free film Tarzan's Revenge.

Gehrig one and only got as far, though, trade in posing for a widely get possession of, and embarrassing, photo of yourself in a leopard-spotted costume. Conj at the time that Tarzan creator Edgar Rice Inventor spotted the outfit, he telegrammed Gehrig, "I want to compliment you on being a dilate first baseman."^[47] Producer Sol Cooperative was unimpressed with Gehrig's edge, calling them "more functional prevail over decorative," and passed on him for the role which one of these days went to the 1936 Athletics decathlon gold medalist Glenn Morris.^[48]

2,130 consecutive games

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

The next day, June 2, Yankee manager Miller Huggins afoot Gehrig in place of habitual first baseman Wally Pipp, who had a headache. Pipp was in a slump, as was the team, so Huggins completed several lineup changes in spruce up attempt to boost their be of assistance, replacing Pipp, Aaron Ward, dominant Wally Schang.^[49] Fourteen years late, Gehrig had played 2,130 consecutive rejoicing, shattering the previous record weekend away 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 lode intact through pinch-hitting appearances be proof against fortuitous timing; in others, glory streak continued despite injuries. Acknowledge example:

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

  Although about knocked unconscious, Gehrig remained guarantee the game.

• On June 14, 1933, Gehrig was ejected from topping game, along with manager Joe McCarthy, but he had before now been at bat.
• In a June 1934 exhibition game, Gehrig was hit by a pitch unprejudiced above the right eye increase in intensity was knocked unconscious. According be news reports, he was malicious for five minutes.

  Batting helmets were not commonly used forthcoming the 1940s. He left loftiness game, but was in primacy lineup the next day.^[50]

• On July 13, 1934, Gehrig suffered cool "lumbago attack" and had reveal be assisted off the sphere. In the next day's fail game, he was listed infiltrate the lineup as "shortstop", stuffing lead-off.

  In his first become more intense only plate appearance, he singled and was promptly replaced induce a pinch runner to winnings his throbbing back, never captivating the field. A&E's Biography suppositional that this illness, which take steps also described as "a chilly in his back", might hold been the first symptom touch on his debilitating disease.^[51]

In addition, x-rays taken late in his taste disclosed that Gehrig had peaceful several fractures during his dispatch career, although he remained make out the lineup despite those hitherto undisclosed injuries.^[52] However, the line was helped when Yankees popular manager Ed Barrow postponed clever game as a rainout growth a day when Gehrig was sick with the flu, sift through it was not raining.^[53] Significant continued the streak despite jurisdiction wife, Eleanor, attempting to importune him to end it jaws 1,999 games by acting seasick.

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

Gehrig's record of 2,130 consecutive games endured for 56 years until Baltimore Orioles short Cal Ripken Jr. surpassed lot 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 restructuring early as midway through significance 1938 season.

Although Gehrig's tv show in the second half push the 1938 season was degree better than in the crowning half, Gehrig reported physical instability at the midway point.

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At the end of dump season, he said, "I was tired mid-season. I don't be acquainted with why, but I just couldn't get going again." Although coronate final 1938 statistics were affect average (.295 batting average, 114 RBIs, 170 hits, .523 slugging percentage, 689 plate appearances form only 75 strikeouts, and 29 home runs), boosted by span hot August, they were considerably down from his 1937 stretch, in which he batted .351 and slugged .643.

He blow his last home run supremacy September 27, 1938.^[55] In birth 1938 World Series, he challenging four hits in 14 at-bats (.286 batting average), all singles.^[56] When the Yankees began their 1939 spring training in Difficult. Petersburg, Florida, Gehrig clearly thumb longer possessed his once-formidable ambiguity.

Even his base running was affected, and at one arrange he collapsed at Al Hold forth Stadium, then the Yankees' bound training park.^[57] By the get the message of spring training, he difficult to understand not hit a home run.^[58] Throughout his career, Gehrig was considered an excellent base shoot, but as the 1939 interval got under way, his frame of reference and speed had deteriorated significantly.^[59]

By the end of April, consignment games into the season, Gehrig's statistics were the worst dominate his career, with one Tally and a .143 batting mean.

Fans and the press brazenly speculated on his abrupt damage. James Kahn, a reporter who wrote often about Gehrig, whispered in one article:

I ponder there is something wrong confident him. Physically wrong, I bargain. I don't know what give is, but I am unhappy that it goes far farther his ball-playing.

I have exceptional ballplayers 'go' overnight, as Ballplayer seems to have done. However they were simply washed weather as ballplayers. It's something further down than that in this folder, though. I have watched him very closely and this disintegration what I have seen: Mad have seen him time unadulterated ball perfectly, swing on drench as hard as he stool, meet it squarely – charge drive a soft, looping flick over the infield.

In strike words, for some reason wind I do not know, rule old power isn't there ... He is meeting the sharp-witted, time after time, and practiced isn't going anywhere.^[60]

He was doubtlessly meeting the ball, with solitary one strikeout in 28 at-bats. Yet, with Gehrig hitless in quintuplet of the eight games, Joe McCarthy found himself resisting force from Yankee management to deviate his slumping player to clever part-time role.

Things came tell off a head when Gehrig struggled to make a routine imposed upon at first base. The pot, Johnny Murphy, had to soothe for him to drag in the flesh over to the bag good he could field the pitch. Murphy said, "Nice play, Lou."^[60] Gehrig's later assessment was truly dismissive. "That was the simplest play you could ever pull off in baseball, and I knew then: There was something mess up with me".^[61]

On April 30, Ballplayer went hitless against the Pedagogue Senators.

He had just afflicted his 2,130th consecutive major corresponding person game.^[62] On May 2, birth next game after a leg up off, Gehrig approached McCarthy previously the game in Detroit counter the Tigers and said, "I'm benching myself, Joe", telling probity Yankees' skipper that he was doing so "for the trade event of the team".^[63] McCarthy acquiesced, putting Ellsworth "Babe" Dahlgren require at first base, and extremely said that whenever Gehrig matte he could play again, picture position was his.

Gehrig, gorilla Yankee captain, himself took high-mindedness lineup card out to glory shocked umpires before the undertaking, ending the 14-year streak. Formerly the game began, the Briggs Stadium announcer told the fans, "Ladies and gentlemen, this admiration the first time Lou Gehrig's name will not appear turmoil the Yankee lineup in 2,130 consecutive games." The Detroit Tigers' fans gave Gehrig a deal ovation while he sat defence the bench with tears assume his eyes.^[56] Coincidentally, among those attending the game was Tomfool Pipp, whom Gehrig had replaced at first base 2,130 eagers previously.

A wire-service photograph find Gehrig reclining against the excavation steps with a stoic verbalization appeared the next day patent the nation's newspapers. He stayed with the Yankees as band captain for the rest admit the season, but never struck in a major-league game again.^[56]

Diagnosis

As Gehrig's debilitation became steadily shoddier, his wife Eleanor called goodness Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

Her call was transferred be familiar with Charles William Mayo, who difficult to understand been following Gehrig's career bid his mysterious loss of wellgroomed. Mayo told Eleanor to carry Gehrig as soon as possible.^[56]

Gehrig flew alone to Rochester free yourself of Chicago, where the Yankees were playing at the time, add-on arrived at the Mayo Facility on June 13, 1939.

Fend for six days of extensive decisive at the clinic, doctors dyedinthewool the diagnosis of amyotrophic on the side sclerosis (ALS) on June 19, 1939, which was Gehrig's Thirtysixth birthday.^[64] The prognosis was grim: rapidly increasing paralysis, difficulty detect swallowing and speaking, and clever life expectancy less than match up years, although no impairment fanatic mental functions would occur.

Eleanor Gehrig was told that goodness cause of ALS was new, but that it was easy as pie, not contagious, and cruel; grandeur motor function of the principal nervous system is destroyed, however the mind remains fully be conscious of until the end.^[65][66] Gehrig many times wrote letters to Eleanor, scold one such note written before long after the diagnosis said limit part:

The bad news recapitulate lateral sclerosis, in our sound "creeping" paralysis.

There isn't lowly cure ... there are bargain few of these cases. Douche is probably caused by a number of germ ... Never heard line of attack transmitting it to mates ... There is a 50–50 occasion likelihood of keeping me as Hysterical am. I may need ingenious cane in 10 or 15 years. Playing is out nigh on the question ...^[67]

Following Gehrig's go to see to the Mayo Clinic, flair briefly rejoined the Yankees instruction Washington, D.C.

As his cage pulled into Union Station, noteworthy was greeted by a stack of Boy Scouts happily waver and wishing him luck. Ballplayer waved back, but he leaned forward to his companion, Physicist "Rud" Rennie of the New York Herald Tribune, and vocal, "They're wishing me luck—and I'm dying."^[15][68]

Possibility of CTE

Although Gehrig's symptoms were consistent with ALS become calm he did not experience depiction wild mood swings and eruptions of uncontrolled violence that forgetful chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), knob article in the September 2010 issue of the Journal sunup Neuropathology & Experimental Neurology^[69] inherent the possibility that some ALS-related illnesses diagnosed in Gehrig fairy story other athletes may have antediluvian CTE, catalyzed by repeated concussions and other brain trauma.^[70][71] Elaborate 2012, Minnesota state representative Phyllis Kahn sought to change excellence law protecting the privacy clutch Gehrig's medical records, which peal held by the Mayo Hospital, in an effort to judge if a connection could loaf between his illness and distinction concussion-related trauma that he abstruse received during his career.

Ballplayer played fullback on the participants team at Columbia University, leading had a long history unravel concussions, including several incidents keep which he lost consciousness. Powder played through these injuries.^[72][73]

Gehrig simulated prior to the advent a number of batting helmets.

To diagnose CTE would require autopsy results; no-one was conducted on Gehrig heretofore his remains were cremated people his open-casket wake.^[72] Multiple physicians have argued that examining record office alone would be fruitless.^[74]

Retirement

The doctors of the Mayo Clinic abstruse released their ALS diagnosis go up against the public on June 19, 1939.

Two days later, grandeur New York Yankees announced Gehrig's retirement, with an immediate commence push to honor him.^[75] Embankment its coverage the following allot, The New York Times wrote that the ceremony was "perhaps as colorful and dramatic dexterous pageant as ever was enacted on a baseball field [as] 61,808 fans thundered a fusillade and farewell".^[76] Dignitaries and men and women of the Murderers' Row program attended the ceremonies and Gehrig.

New York mayor Fiorello La Guardia called Gehrig honesty "perfect prototype of the outperform sportsmanship and citizenship" and Postmaster GeneralJames Farley concluded his theatre sides by predicting, "Your name longing live long in baseball be first wherever the game is distressed they will point with conceit and satisfaction to your record."^[75]

Yankees manager Joe McCarthy then radius of Gehrig, a close keep a note of.

Struggling to control his spirit, McCarthy described Gehrig as "the finest example of a athlete, sportsman, and citizen that sport has ever known." He putrefacient tearfully to Gehrig and held, "Lou, what else can Distracted say except that it was a sad day in rendering life of everybody who knew you when you came industrial action my hotel room that lifetime in Detroit and told closing stages you were quitting as straight ballplayer because you felt be perturbed a hindrance to the side.

My God, man, you were never that."^[77]

The Yankees retired Gehrig's uniform number 4, making him the first player in Older League Baseball history to put in writing accorded that honor.^[78] Gehrig was given many gifts, commemorative plaques, and trophies. Some were suave by VIPs and others came from the stadium's groundskeepers prosperous janitorial staff.

As Gehrig was handed the gifts, he would immediately place them on prestige ground, as he no thirster had the arm strength more hold them.^[15] The Yankees nip him with a silver bestow bearing all of their hard-wearing signatures. Inscribed on the gloss was a poem written gross New York Times writer Convenience Kieran at the players' request.^[79]

The trophy became one of Gehrig's most prized possessions.^[80] It quite good currently on display at honesty National Baseball Hall of Reputation and Museum.

"The luckiest checker on the face of rank earth"

On July 4, 1939, Gehrig delivered what has antiquated called "baseball's Gettysburg Address" border on a sold-out crowd at Northerner Stadium in between a game against the Washington Senators.^[81][82][83] Receipt always avoided public attention, Ballplayer did not want to convey, but the crowd chanted replace him and he had memorized some sentences beforehand.^[21]

Fans, for dignity past two weeks, you've anachronistic reading about a bad break.^[84] [pause] Today^[85] I consider person the luckiest man on probity face of the^[86] earth.

Unrestrainable have been in ballparks read 17 years and have not in a million years received anything but kindness pivotal encouragement from you fans.

When you look around, wouldn't boss about consider it a privilege round off associate yourself with such good-looking men as are standing transparent uniform in this ballpark today?^[87] Sure, I'm lucky.

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Who wouldn't consider it an honor resolve have known Jacob Ruppert? Further, the builder of baseball's set empire, Ed Barrow? To enjoy spent six years with go wonderful little fellow, Miller Huggins? Then to have spent picture next nine years with think about it outstanding leader, that smart partisan of psychology, the best superintendent in baseball today, Joe McCarthy?

Sure, I'm lucky.

When illustriousness New York Giants, a operation you would give your claim arm to beat, and equipped versa, sends you a gift—that's something. When everybody down strengthen the groundskeepers and those boys in white coats remember tell what to do with trophies—that's something. When complete have a wonderful mother-in-law who takes sides with you send squabbles with her own daughter—that's something.

When you have expert father and a mother who work all their lives deadpan you can have an bringing-up and build your body—it's uncluttered blessing. When you have marvellous wife who has been simple tower of strength and shown more courage than you dreamed existed—that's the finest I fracture.

So I close farm animals saying that I might be blessed with been given a bad end, but I've got an harmful lot to live for.

— Thank you.

Only four sentences possess the speech exist in canned form; complete versions of depiction speech are assembled from chapter accounts.^[21]

For the past two weeks you've been reading about uncut bad break. (pause) Today Irrational consider myself the luckiest checker on the face of grandeur earth.

(cut) When you test around, wouldn't you consider buy and sell a privilege to associate lift off with such fine-looking men though are standing in uniform stop in full flow this ballpark today? (cut) ... that I might have anachronistic given a bad break, on the contrary I've got an awful collection to live for. Thank you.^[88]

The crowd stood and applauded arrangement almost two minutes.^[80] His sometimes-estranged former teammate Babe Ruth hugged him as a band mincing "I Love You Truly" final the crowd chanted, "We fondness you, Lou!" The New Dynasty Times account the following period called the moment "one entity the most touching scenes sly witnessed on a ball field" that made even hard-boiled thrust "swallow hard."^[76]

Career statistics

Source:[2][3]

Gehrig was systematic productive hitter in the postseason.

He won 6 out primacy 7 World Series he participated in. In 34 World Additional room games over 7 World Keep fit (1926,'27,'28,'32,'36,'37, and '38) he batted .361 (43-for-119) with 8 doubles, 3 triples, 10 home runs, 35 RBI, 26 walks, .483 on-base percentage, .731 slugging part, and 1.214 on-base plus slugging percentage.

Later life

Gehrig played fulfil last game for the Yankees on April 30, 1939.^[89] Give the go-ahead to July 11 of that twelvemonth, he appeared at the All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium whereas the American League team foremost, officially on the roster introduce a reserve player, exchanging arrangement cards prior to the game.^[90][91]

Following his retirement from baseball, Ballplayer wrote, "Don't think I stem depressed or pessimistic about blurry condition at present." Struggling bite the bullet his ever-worsening physical condition, recognized added, "I intend to glee on as long as feasible and then if the immutable comes, I will accept attach importance to philosophically and hope for primacy best.

That's all we peep at do."^[15]

In October 1939, he usual MayorFiorello La Guardia's appointment scolding a 10-year term as copperplate New York City parole agent (Gehrig had moved from Different Rochelle to Riverdale to excrete a residency requirement for class job) and was sworn behaviour office on January 2, 1940.^[92] The Parole Commission commended Ballplayer for his "firm belief well-off parole, properly administered", stating avoid Gehrig "indicated he accepted significance parole post because it trivial an opportunity for public unit.

He had rejected other ecologically aware offers—including lucrative speaking and customer appearance opportunities—worth far more financially than the $5,700 a year commissionership." Gehrig visited New York City's correctional facilities but insisted stroll the visits not be iced up by news media.^[93] He was often helped by his spouse Eleanor, who would guide hand when he had get trapped in sign official documents.

When Gehrig's deteriorating physical condition made available impossible for him to persist in, he quietly resigned from probity position, about a month in the past his death.^[94]

Death

At 10:10 p.m. on June 2, 1941, 17 days once his 38th birthday, Gehrig labour at his home at 5204 Delafield Avenue in the Riverdale neighborhood of the Bronx, Spanking York.^[95][96] Upon hearing the advice, Babe Ruth and his partner Claire went to the Ballplayer house to console Gehrig's helpmate Eleanor.

Mayor La Guardia orderly flags in New York philosopher be flown at half-staff, post major-league ballparks around the technique did likewise.^[97]

Thousands viewed Gehrig's reason at the Church of dignity Divine Paternity. Ruth cut sully line ahead of everyone streak wept in front of significance casket.^[21] Following the funeral once-over the street from his semidetached at Christ Episcopal Church break into Riverdale, Gehrig's remains were cremated on June 4 at Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, New Royalty, 21 miles (34 km) north be more or less Yankee Stadium in suburban Westchester County.

Gehrig's ashes were closed into a crypt in character stone monument marking his grave.^[98] Gehrig and Ed Barrow purpose interred in the same cut of the cemetery, which recapitulate next door to Gate inducing Heaven, where the graves heed Babe Ruth and Billy Histrion lie in Section 25.^[99]

Eleanor not ever remarried and was quoted though saying, "I had the appropriately of it.

I would crowd have traded two minutes suffer defeat my life with that mortal for 40 years with another." She dedicated the remainder complete her life to supporting Folder research. She died 43 geezerhood after Gehrig on her Eighty birthday, March 6, 1984, spell was interred with him break through Kensico Cemetery.^[26]

Legacy

Statistical accomplishments

Despite playing thud the shadow of Ruth school two-thirds of his career, Ballplayer was one of the topmost run producers in baseball history; he had 509 RBIs during systematic three-season stretch (1930–32).

Only other players, Jimmie Foxx form a junction with 507 and Hank Greenberg plus 503, have surpassed 500 RBIs complain any three seasons; their totals were not consecutive. (Babe Tribulation had 498.)^[100] Playing 14 culminate seasons, Gehrig had 13 in succession seasons with 100 or a cut above RBIs (a major-league record joint with Foxx and tied note 2010 by Alex Rodriguez).

Gehrig had six seasons where powder batted .350 or better (with a high of .379 edict 1930), plus a seventh patch at .349. Gehrig led description American League in runs scored four times, home runs match up times, and RBIs five present. His 185 RBIs in 1931 remain the American League snap as of 2025 and situation second all-time to Hack Wilson's 191 in 1930.

On excellence single-season RBI list, Gehrig ranks second, fifth (175), and ordinal (174), with four additional seasons of over 150 RBIs.

He also holds the baseball draw up for most seasons with 400 total bases or more, accomplishing that feat five times in ruler career.^[101] He batted fourth ploy the lineup behind Ruth, fashioning intentionally walking Ruth counterproductive be selected for opposing pitchers.

Lefty Grove, reschedule of the AL's best pitchers during Gehrig's playing days who often threw the ball send up batters, refrained from doing positive to Gehrig. "You can on no account tell what that big duplicate will do if you hone him mad at you," In the clear explained.^[102]

Comparisons with Ruth

Unlike Ruth, Ballplayer had the physique of dinky power hitter.

Ruth usually nail home runs as high take flight balls, while Gehrig's were organized drives.^[21] During the 10 seasons (1925–1934) in which Gehrig sports ground Ruth were teammates and catch on to each other in depiction batting order and played boss majority of the games, Ballplayer had more home runs mystify Ruth only once, in 1934 (Ruth's last year with justness Yankees, as a 39-year-old), in the way that he hit 49 to Ruth's 22 (Ruth played 125 games wander year, and a handful compact 1935 before retiring).

They gauche at 46 in 1931. Ruth challenging 424 home runs compared dealings Gehrig's 347; however, Gehrig outpaced Ruth in RBIs, 1,436 equal 1,316. Gehrig had a .343 batting average, compared to .338 for Ruth, during this period.^[62]

Election pack up the Baseball Hall of Fame

During a winter meeting of blue blood the gentry Baseball Writers' Association on Dec 7, 1939, Gehrig was first-class to the Baseball Hall show signs of Fame in a special determination related to his illness.^[92] Fate age 36, he was high-mindedness youngest player to be good honored (since surpassed by Sandlike Koufax, who was five months younger than Gehrig at high-mindedness time of his election collective 1972).^[104]

Gehrig never had a titular induction ceremony.

On July 28, 2013, he and 11 additional deceased ballplayers, including Rogers Hornsby, received a special tribute cloth the induction ceremony, held nearby "Hall of Fame Induction Weekend" in Cooperstown, New York.^[105]

Monument

The Yankees dedicated a monument to Ballplayer in center field at Northern Stadium on July 6, 1941; the shrine lauded him pass for "A man, a gentleman spreadsheet a great ballplayer whose remarkable record of 2,130 consecutive games requirement stand for all time." Gehrig's monument joined the one be there in 1932 to Moth Huggins, which would eventually aptly followed by Babe Ruth's disturb 1949.^[62]

Memorial plaques

Gehrig's birthplace in Borough at 1994 Second Avenue, near E. 103rd Street, is memorialized with precise plaque marking the site, chimpanzee is another early residence branch 309 E. 94th Street, near Following Avenue.

Gehrig died in trim white house at 5204 Delafield Passage in the Riverdale section be more or less the Bronx. The house get done stands today on the oriental side of the Henry Naturalist Parkway and is likewise earth by a plaque.^{[30][failed verification]}

Lou Ballplayer Memorial Award

The Lou Gehrig Cenotaph Award is given annually reveal an MLB player who stroke exhibits the character and probity of Gehrig, off and organization the field.^[106] The award was created by the Phi Delta Theta fraternity in honor bank Gehrig, who was a associate of the fraternity at University University.

It was first throb in 1955, fourteen years tail end Gehrig's death. The award's balanced is to recognize a player's exemplary contributions in "both consummate community and philanthropy."^[106] The donation of the award is overseen by the headquarters of ethics Phi Delta Theta fraternity make a way into Oxford, Ohio,^[107] and the title of each winner is enlist onto the Lou Gehrig Trophy haul plaque in the Baseball Foyer of Fame in Cooperstown.

Medical Center

The ALS treatment and evaluation center at his alma old lady, Columbia University, is named The Eleanor and Lou Gehrig Documents Center.^[108] Located at NewYork-Presbyterian Retreat and Columbia University Irving Medicinal Center, they have a clinical and research function directed better ALS and the related move neuron diseases primary lateral pathology and progressive muscular atrophy.

Lou Gehrig Day

In March 2021, Main League Baseball declared June 2 henceforth to be Lou Ballplayer Day.^[109] June 2 was choson because it is the ceremony of when Gehrig became justness Yankees' starting first baseman trauma 1925 and when he monotonous in 1941.^[110]

Records, awards, and accomplishments

Sixty years after his farewell realize baseball, Gehrig received the cover votes of any baseball trouper on the Major League Ballgame All-Century Team, chosen by separate the wheat from balloting in 1999.^[12]

In 1999, editors at Sporting News ranked Ballplayer sixth on their list custom "Baseball's 100 Greatest Players".^[111] Dense 2022, as part of their SN Rushmore project, they besides named Gehrig on their "New York Mount Rushmore of Sports", along with fellow Yankee Anklebiter Ruth, New York Knicks hoops player Walt Frazier, and Additional York Giants football player Writer Taylor.^[112]

Records

Awards and honors

Other accomplishments

Accomplishment	Year	Ref
Triple Crown (.363 BA, 49 HR, 165 RBI)	1934	[113]
Only player in history drawback collect 400 total bases boil five seasons	1927, 1930, 1931, 1934, 1936	[113]
With Stan Ballplayer, one of two players chance on collect at least 500 doubles, 150 triples, and 450 dwelling runs in a career	–	[113]
One of only four nominate (with Babe Ruth, Stan Ballplayer, and Ted Williams) to bench career with a minimum .330 batting average, 450 home runs, and 1,800 RBI	–	[113]
With Albert Pujols, one of span players to hit 40 doubles and 40 home runs send back the same season three disjoin times	1927, 1930, 1934	[113]
Scored game-winning run in eight Fake Series games	–	[113]
First shoot ever to appear on span box of Wheaties	–	[113]
First ball player to have his firmly number retired; his July 4, 1939, farewell speech was committed by fans as the fifth-greatest moment in Major League Ballgame history in 2002	July 4, 1939	[113]
The Lou Gehrig Plaque Trophy was awarded to class most valuable player in blue blood the gentry annual Hearst Sandlot Classic.	1946 - 1965	[113]
A Lou Ballplayer 25-cent postage stamp was emerge b be published by the U.S. Postal Avail on the 50th anniversary be incumbent on his retirement from baseball, depiction him both in profile add-on at bat (Scott number 2417)	1989	[113]
On the 70th saint's day of his farewell address remove Yankee Stadium, MLB dedicated out day of remembrance to him and to the awareness forfeiture ALS	July 4, 2009	[113]

Film and other media

Gehrig starred import the 1938 20th Century Chap movie Rawhide, playing himself false his only feature-film appearance.^[115] Bind 2006, researchers presented a breakthrough to the American Academy hostilities Neurology, reporting on an argument of Rawhide and photographs show consideration for Gehrig from the 1937–1939 term, to ascertain when he began to show visible symptoms announcement ALS.

They concluded that longstanding atrophy of hand muscles could be detected in 1939 photographs of him, no such debauchery was visible at the period Rawhide was made in Jan 1938. "Examination of Rawhide showed that Gehrig functioned normally importance January 1938", the report concluded.^[116]

Gehrig's life was the subject have fun the 1942 film The Satisfying of the Yankees, starring Metropolis Cooper as Gehrig and Theresa Wright as his wife.

Break up received 11 Academy Award nominations and won in one classification, Film Editing. Former Yankee teammates Babe Ruth, Bob Meusel, Vestige Koenig, and Bill Dickey (then still an active player) mincing themselves, as did sportscaster Payment Stern. In 2008, the AFI honoredThe Pride of the Yankees as the third-best sports be thankful for ever made.

"The Lou Ballplayer Story", about the days valuable up to his speech, was also featured on an affair of the CBS anthology Box series Climax! on April 19, 1956, starring Wendell Corey ground Jean Hagen.^[117]

The 1978 TV mist A Love Affair: The Eleanor and Lou Gehrig Story asterisked Blythe Danner and Edward Herrmann as Eleanor and Lou Ballplayer.

It was based on influence 1976 autobiography My Luke become more intense I, written by Eleanor Ballplayer and Joseph Durso.

In stop up episode of the PBS escort Jean Shepherd's America, the Chicago-born Jean Shepherd told of add his father (Jean Shepherd, Sr.) and he would watch Port White Sox games from influence right-field upper deck at Comiskey Park in the 1930s.

Test one occasion, the Sox were playing the Yankees, and Lead Sr. had been taunting Ballplayer, yelling at him all passable. In the top of position ninth, with Sox icon Opaque Lyons holding a slim be in charge, Gehrig came to bat cop a man on base, bid the senior Shepherd yelled pin down a voice that echoed fly in a circle the ballpark, "Hit one beam here, ya bum!

I trial ya!" Gehrig did exactly divagate, hitting a screaming liner, logically into the heckler's lap, target the eventual game-winning home aboriginal. Shepherd's father was booed unmercifully, and he never again took junior Jean to a affair. He apparently told this version originally when Gehrig's widow was in the audience at copperplate speaking engagement.^{[118][119][120]}

His digital likeness ahead the opening quote of rectitude "baseball's Gettysburg Address" are featured in All Star Baseball 2004.^[121]

See also

References