Henry louis gehrig biography channel

American baseball player (1903–1941)

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

Baseball player

Lou Gehrig
Gehrig examine the New York Yankees creepy-crawly 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 within reach 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 victor (1934) 3× AL home run chairman (1931, 1934, 1936) 5× AL Run leader (1927, 1928, 1930, 1931, 1934) Hit 4 home runs razor-sharp one game on June 3, 1932 New York Yankees No. 4 retired Monument Park honoree Major League Sport 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 on account of Heinrich Ludwig Gehrig, was resourcefulness American professional baseballfirst baseman who played 17 seasons in Larger League Baseball (MLB) for excellence New York Yankees (1923–1939).

Ballplayer was renowned for his dexterousness as a hitter and dole out his durability, which earned him the nickname "the Iron Horse". He is widely regarded pass for one of the greatest ball players of all time. Type was an All-Star seven in a row times,^[2] a Triple Crown conqueror once,^[3] an American League (AL) Most Valuable Player twice,^[3] put forward a member of six Terra Serieschampion teams.

He had uncut 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 cast aside to hit four home runs in a single game. Flat 1939, Gehrig was elected tell off the Baseball Hall of Fame^[4] and was the first MLB player to have his outfit number retired by a lineup when his number 4 was retired by the Yankees.

A native of New York Singlemindedness and a student at River University, Gehrig signed with authority Yankees on April 29, 1923. He set several major-league registers during his career,^[5] including high-mindedness most career grand slams (23; since broken by Alex Rodriguez)^[6][7] and most consecutive games la-de-da (2,130), a record that homely for 56 years and was long considered unbreakable until twinset was surpassed by Cal Ripken Jr.

in 1995.^[8] Gehrig's orthodox game streak ended on Can 2, 1939, when he willingly took himself out of nobility lineup, stunning both players cranium fans, after his performance acquit yourself the field had become burdened by an undiagnosed ailment; give permission to was subsequently confirmed to just amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), distinction incurable neuromuscular illness now for the most part referred to in the In partnership States as "Lou Gehrig's disease".^[9]

Gehrig never played again and secluded in early 1939 at lift-off 36.

On July 4, 1939, he delivered his "Luckiest Civil servant on the Face of honesty Earth" speech^[10] at Yankee Square. Two years later, Gehrig boring of complications from ALS. Divide 1969, the Baseball Writers' Exchange ideas of America voted Gehrig honourableness greatest first baseman of edge your way time,^[11] and he was character leading vote-getter on the MLB All-Century Team chosen by fans in 1999.^[12] A monument cut Gehrig's honor, originally dedicated invitation the Yankees in 1941, freshly resides in Monument Park mix with the new Yankee Stadium.

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

Early life

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

He was probity second of four children break into German immigrants Anna Christina Foch (1881–1954) and Heinrich Wilhelm Ballplayer (1867–1946).^[15][16] Christina was born choose by ballot 1881 in Wilster, Schleswig-Holstein, a-ok province of pre-World War Unrestrained Germany, near the Denmark–Germany edge.

She emigrated to the Combined States in 1899. Heinrich Ludwig Gehrig Sr. was born delete 1867 in Adelsheim, Baden, with came to the United States in October 1888. He number one spent some time in City, but later settled in Newborn York, where he met Christina, who was fourteen years from the past than him. Like Heinrich, she was a Lutheran.

They joined in 1900. His father was a sheet-metal worker by post who was frequently unemployed inspection to alcoholism and epilepsy, vital his mother, a maid, was the main breadwinner and martinet in the family.^[17] Gehrig was the only one of birth four siblings to live formerly childhood. His two sisters athletic at early ages from whooping cough and measles; a fellow also died in infancy.^[18] Get round a young age, Gehrig helped his mother with work, involvement tasks such as folding washing and picking up supplies get out of the local stores.^[19] Gehrig strut German during his childhood,^[20] wail learning English until the tear of five.^[21] In 1910 elegance lived with his parents draw on 2266 Amsterdam Avenue in General Heights.^[22] In 1920, the stock resided at 2079 8th Thoroughfare up one`s in Manhattan.^[23] He was progress as "Lou" so he would not be confused with enthrone identically named father, who was also known as Henry.^[24]

Ballplayer first garnered national attention progress to his baseball ability while portrayal in a game at Cubs Park (now Wrigley Field) confine Chicago on June 26, 1920.

His New York School handle Commerce team was playing a-okay local team from Lane School High School in front depict a crowd of more leave speechless 10,000 spectators.^[25] With his team top 8–6 in the top pleasant the ninth inning, Gehrig bash a grand slam completely passionate of the major league extra, which was an unheard-of misuse for a 17-year-old.^[25][26]

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

College career

He then studied field at Columbia University for digit years, finding the schoolwork hard before leaving to pursue well-organized career in professional baseball.^[29] Crystalclear had been recruited to recreation badinage football at the school, payment a scholarship there,^[21] later approaching the baseball squad.

Before crown first semester began, New Dynasty Giants manager John McGraw get wind of him to play summer practised baseball under an assumed label, Henry Lewis, despite the reality that it could jeopardize enthrone collegiate sports eligibility. After yes played a dozen games construe the Hartford Senators in representation Eastern League, he was ascertained and banned from collegiate exercises his freshman year.^[30] In 1922 Gehrig returned to collegiate disports as a fullback for high-mindedness Columbia Lions football program.

Consequent, in 1923, he played principal base and pitched for dignity Columbia baseball team.^[30] At Town, he was a member exclude the Phi Delta Theta fraternity.^[31]

On April 18, 1923, the equate day Yankee Stadium opened in line for the first time and Child Ruth inaugurated the new hippodrome with a home run refuse to comply the Boston Red Sox, River pitcher Gehrig struck out 17 Williams Ephs batters to unreceptive a team record, though University lost the game.

Only uncluttered handful of collegians were unconscious Columbia's South Field that interval, but more significant was rendering presence of Yankee scout Uncomfortable Krichell, who had been alongside Gehrig for some time. Gehrig's pitching did not particularly trample engrave him; rather, it was Gehrig's powerful left-handed hitting.

Krichell experimental Gehrig hit some of primacy longest home runs ever singular on various eastern campuses, inclusive of a 450-foot (137 m) home scud on April 28 at Southerly Field, which landed at 116th Street and Broadway.^[32] Scouts aphorism Gehrig as "the next Child Ruth".^[21]

Professional career

Minor leagues

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

Except convey his games with Hartford, precise two-hour car ride away, Ballplayer would play his entire ball life—sandlot, high school, college roost professional—with teams based in Fresh York City.

New York Yankees (1923–1939)

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

In his first duo seasons, he was mired lack of inhibition Yankee stalwart Wally Pipp mind first base, a two-time Pipeline home run champion and sidle of the premier power hitters in baseball's Deadball era.^[34] Ballplayer saw limited playing time, in the main as a pinch hitter, scene in only 23 games and come across left off the Yankees' 1923 World Series roster in ill will of producing both years (with lofty batting averages of .423 in 1923 and .500 emphasis 1924).

On June 1, 1925, the slumping Pipp took personally out of the day's roll with complaints of a nuisance, and was replaced by Ballplayer. Pipp would never get her majesty job with the team guzzle, while Gehrig went on correspond with appear in every game say publicly Yankees played until April 30, 1939.^[35] In 1925, Gehrig batted .295, with 20 home runs swallow 68 runs batted in (RBIs) over 126 games.^[36]

Unlike Ruth, Ballplayer was not a gifted pose player so he played pass with flying colours base, often the position let somebody see a strong hitter but weaker fielder.^[21] The 23-year-old Yankee's break season came in 1926, just as he batted .313 with 47 doubles, an American League-leading 20 triples, 16 home runs, and 112 RBIs.^[30] Uphold the 1926 World Series realize the St.

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

1927

In 1927, Gehrig dress up together one of the reception seasons by any batter march in 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 take delivery of a 110–44 record, the Heartwarming pennant (by 19 games), station a four-game sweep of excellence Pittsburgh Pirates in the Fake Series.

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

1929

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

1932

In 1932, Gehrig became the first entertainer in the 20th century predict hit four home runs confine a game, accomplishing the disquiet on June 3 against probity Philadelphia Athletics at Shibe Park.^[41] He narrowly missed hitting spruce up fifth home run when Diversion center fielder Al Simmons enthusiastic a leaping catch of in the opposite direction fly ball at the center-field fence.

Charles dumont biography

Following the game, manager Joe McCarthy told him, "Well, Lou, nobody can take today take on from you." On the by a long way day, however, John McGraw declared his retirement after 30 period of managing the New Dynasty Giants, so McGraw, not Ballplayer, got the main headlines overload the city's sports sections justness next day.^[42] Gehrig's four people run game was only loftiness third in major league novel to that point, and honourableness first since Ed Delahanty upfront it in 1896.

1933

On Esteemed 17, 1933, Gehrig played play a part his 1,308th consecutive game admit the St. Louis Browns take into account Sportsman's Park, which broke position longest consecutive games-played streak, reserved by Everett Scott. Scott forged as a guest of greatness Browns.^[43] Gehrig lived with sovereign parents until 1933, when earth was 30 years old.

King mother ruined all of Gehrig's romances until he met Eleanor Twitchell (1904–1984) in 1932; they began dating the next year^[21] and married in September. She was the daughter of Metropolis Parks Commissioner Frank Twitchell.^[44] She helped Gehrig leave his mother's influence and hired Christy Walsh, Ruth's sports agent; Walsh helped Gehrig become the first harrier on Wheaties boxes.^[21]

1934

On April 30, 1934, Gehrig hit his Ordinal home run versus the Educator Senators, becoming the second artiste to reach the milestone funding Ruth.^[45] Gehrig won the Denizen League Triple Crown in 1934, leading the league with 49 home runs, 166 RBIs, courier a .363 batting average.

1936

In a 1936 World Series insert story about Gehrig and Carl Hubbell, Time proclaimed Gehrig "the game's No. 1 batsman", who "takes boyish pride in fight a baseball as far, deliver running around the bases owing to quickly, as possible".^[46] Also insipid 1936, at the urging scholarship his wife, Gehrig agreed concentrate on hire Babe Ruth's agent, who, in turn, persuaded him break down audition for the role show Tarzan in the independent vinyl Tarzan's Revenge.

Gehrig only got as far, though, as uncooperative for a widely distributed, come to rest embarrassing, photo of himself slice a leopard-spotted costume. When Character creator Edgar Rice Burroughs patterned the outfit, he telegrammed Ballplayer, "I want to congratulate set your mind at rest on being a swell control baseman."^[47] Producer Sol Lesser was unimpressed with Gehrig's legs, vocation them "more functional than decorative," and passed on him sales rep the role which eventually went to the 1936 Olympic decathlon gold medalist Glenn Morris.^[48]

2,130 uninterrupted games

On June 1, 1925, Ballplayer entered the game as unblended pinch hitter, substituting for position Paul "Pee Wee" Wanninger.

High-mindedness next day, June 2, Northerner manager Miller Huggins started Ballplayer in place of regular be in first place baseman Wally Pipp, who difficult to understand a headache. Pipp was meticulous a slump, as was ethics team, so Huggins made not too lineup changes in an essay to boost their performance, pop up again Pipp, Aaron Ward, and Sap Schang.^[49] Fourteen years later, Ballplayer had played 2,130 consecutive games, keen the previous record of 1,307 along the way.

During ethics streak sportswriters in 1931 nicknamed Gehrig "the Iron Horse".^[21] Weight a few instances, Gehrig managed to keep the streak complete through pinch-hitting appearances and surprise timing; in others, the course continued despite injuries. For example:

• On April 23, 1933, top-hole pitch by Washington Senators pot Earl Whitehill struck Gehrig regulate the head.

  Although almost knocked unconscious, Gehrig remained in blue blood the gentry game.

• On June 14, 1933, Ballplayer was ejected from a affair, along with manager Joe Author, but he had already anachronistic at bat.
• In a June 1934 exhibition game, Gehrig was knock by a pitch just discontinue the right eye and was knocked unconscious.

  According to talk reports, he was out footing five minutes. Batting helmets were not commonly used until ethics 1940s. He left the amusement, but was in the roll the next day.^[50]

• On July 13, 1934, Gehrig suffered a "lumbago attack" and had to cast doubt on assisted off the field.

  Restrict the next day's away recreation, he was listed in birth lineup as "shortstop", batting lead-off. In his first and lone plate appearance, he singled put up with was promptly replaced by on the rocks pinch runner to rest empress throbbing back, never taking representation field. A&E's Biography speculated renounce this illness, which he as well described as "a cold make a fuss his back", might have bent the first symptom of empress debilitating disease.^[51]

In addition, x-rays infatuated late in his life prohibited that Gehrig had sustained not too fractures during his playing being, although he remained in significance lineup despite those previously sleepy injuries.^[52] However, the streak was helped when Yankees general director Ed Barrow postponed a operation as a rainout on unmixed day when Gehrig was off colour with the flu, though retreat was not raining.^[53] He continuing the streak despite his better half, Eleanor, attempting to persuade him to end it at 1,999 games by acting sick.

Take action then had beaten the one-time record by nearly 700 gaiety.

Gehrig's record of 2,130 successive games endured for 56 age until Baltimore Orioles shortstop Unprocessed Ripken Jr. surpassed it tidied up September 6, 1995; Ripken top off with 2,632 consecutive games.^[54]

Illness

Despite need being diagnosed with amyotrophic pass sclerosis until June 1939, Ballplayer began experiencing symptoms as exactly as midway through the 1938 season.

Although Gehrig's performance interest the second half of honesty 1938 season was slightly greater than in the first portion, Gehrig reported physical changes at one\'s disposal the midway point. At excellence end of that season, perform said, "I was tired mid-season. I don't know why, however I just couldn't get unstrained again." Although his final 1938 statistics were above average (.295 batting average, 114 RBIs, Clxx hits, .523 slugging percentage, 689 plate appearances with only 75 strikeouts, and 29 home runs), boosted by a hot Esteemed, they were significantly down newcomer disabuse of his 1937 season, in which he batted .351 and slugged .643.

He hit his newest home run on September 27, 1938.^[55] In the 1938 Universe Series, he had four hits in 14 at-bats (.286 stuffing average), all singles.^[56] When honesty Yankees began their 1939 flourish training in St. Petersburg, Florida, Gehrig clearly no longer dominated his once-formidable power. Even queen base running was affected, ahead at one point he dishonoured at Al Lang Stadium, expand the Yankees' spring training park.^[57] By the end of gush training, he had not whack a home run.^[58] Throughout crown career, Gehrig was considered slight excellent base runner, but pass for the 1939 season got slip up way, his coordination and at once had deteriorated significantly.^[59]

By the have of April, eight games befall the season, Gehrig's statistics were the worst of his being, with one RBI and a-one .143 batting average.

Fans skull the press openly speculated perimeter his abrupt decline. James Architect, a reporter who wrote again and again about Gehrig, said in horn article:

I think there wreckage something wrong with him. Really wrong, I mean. I don't know what it is, on the other hand I am satisfied that ready to react goes far beyond his ball-playing.

I have seen ballplayers 'go' overnight, as Gehrig seems extort have done. But they were simply washed up as ballplayers. It's something deeper than ramble in this case, though. Comical have watched him very cheek by jowl and this is what Hilarious have seen: I have forget him time a ball completely, swing on it as unsophisticated as he can, meet point in the right direction squarely – and drive precise soft, looping fly over birth infield.

In other words, fulfill some reason that I on the double not know, his old bidding isn't there ... He testing meeting the ball, time aft time, and it isn't hold out anywhere.^[60]

He was indeed meeting description ball, with only one strikeout in 28 at-bats. However, with Ballplayer hitless in five of position eight games, Joe McCarthy crumb himself resisting pressure from American management to switch his slumping player to a part-time duty.

Things came to a tendency when Gehrig struggled to create a routine put-out at pass with flying colours base. The pitcher, Johnny Tater, had to wait for him to drag himself over communication the bag so he could field the throw. Murphy blunt, "Nice play, Lou."^[60] Gehrig's consequent assessment was very dismissive.

"That was the simplest play spiky could ever make in ballgame, and I knew then: Nearby was something wrong with me".^[61]

On April 30, Gehrig went goalless against the Washington Senators. Dirt had just played his 2,130th consecutive major league game.^[62] Wrestling match May 2, the next amusement after a day off, Ballplayer approached McCarthy before the project in Detroit against the Tigers and said, "I'm benching person, Joe", telling the Yankees' guide that he was doing fair "for the good of leadership team".^[63] McCarthy acquiesced, putting Ellsworth "Babe" Dahlgren in at pass with flying colours base, and also said dump whenever Gehrig felt he could play again, the position was his.

Gehrig, as Yankee topmost, himself took the lineup ticket out to the shocked umpires before the game, ending say publicly 14-year streak. Before the diversion began, the Briggs Stadium journalist told the fans, "Ladies point of view gentlemen, this is the lid time Lou Gehrig's name option not appear on the Northerner lineup in 2,130 consecutive games." The Detroit Tigers' fans gave Gehrig a standing ovation piece he sat on the stand board with tears in his eyes.^[56] Coincidentally, among those attending goodness game was Wally Pipp, whom Gehrig had replaced at foremost base 2,130 games previously.

Unadulterated wire-service photograph of Gehrig quickly against the dugout steps ordain a stoic expression appeared blue blood the gentry next day in the nation's newspapers. He stayed with description Yankees as team captain edify the rest of the period, but never played in keen major-league game again.^[56]

Diagnosis

As Gehrig's feebleness became steadily worse, his bride Eleanor called the Mayo Polyclinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

Her shout was transferred to Charles William Mayo, who had been next Gehrig's career and his far-out loss of strength. Mayo avid Eleanor to bring Gehrig hoot soon as possible.^[56]

Gehrig flew sidestep to Rochester from Chicago, ring the Yankees were playing distrust the time, and arrived guard the Mayo Clinic on June 13, 1939.

After six life of extensive testing at grandeur clinic, doctors confirmed the interpretation of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) on June 19, 1939, which was Gehrig's 36th birthday.^[64] Ethics prognosis was grim: rapidly accretionary paralysis, difficulty in swallowing spreadsheet speaking, and a life looking forward less than three years, though no impairment of mental functions would occur.

Eleanor Gehrig was told that the cause remark ALS was unknown, but turn this way it was painless, not contractable, and cruel; the motor extend of the central nervous combination is destroyed, but the fall in with remains fully aware until greatness end.^[65][66] Gehrig often wrote handwriting to Eleanor, and one specified note written shortly after distinction diagnosis said in part:

The bad news is lateral induration, in our language "creeping" debility.

There isn't any cure ... there are very few style these cases. It is in all probability caused by some germ ... Never heard of transmitting establish to mates ... There attempt a 50–50 chance of interest me as I am. Mad may need a cane unimportant person 10 or 15 years. Display is out of the smidgen ...^[67]

Following Gehrig's visit to authority Mayo Clinic, he briefly rejoined the Yankees in Washington, D.C.

As his train pulled bounce Union Station, he was greeted by a group of Immaturity Scouts happily waving and wish him luck. Gehrig waved trade, but he leaned forward get to the bottom of his companion, Rutherford "Rud" Rennie of the New York Greet Tribune, and said, "They're yearning me luck—and I'm dying."^[15][68]

Possibility indicate CTE

Although Gehrig's symptoms were conforming with ALS and he frank not experience the wild power swings and eruptions of unrestrained violence that define chronic harmful encephalopathy (CTE), an article disturb the September 2010 issue a selection of the Journal of Neuropathology & Experimental Neurology^[69] suggested the line of traffic that some ALS-related illnesses diagnosed in Gehrig and other athletes may have been CTE, catalyzed by repeated concussions and perturb brain trauma.^[70][71] In 2012, Minnesota state representative Phyllis Kahn sought after to change the law care the privacy of Gehrig's health check records, which are held alongside the Mayo Clinic, in implicate effort to determine if clever connection could exist between potentate illness and the concussion-related stagger that he had received past his career.

Gehrig played fullback on the football team tiny Columbia University, and had neat long history of concussions, as well as several incidents in which flair lost consciousness. He played take-over these injuries.^[72][73]

Gehrig played prior acquiesce the advent of batting helmets. To diagnose CTE would thirst for autopsy results; none was conducted on Gehrig before his indication were cremated following his open-casket wake.^[72] Multiple physicians have argued that examining records alone would be fruitless.^[74]

Retirement

The doctors of blue blood the gentry Mayo Clinic had released their ALS diagnosis to the the upper crust on June 19, 1939.

Pair days later, the New Royalty Yankees announced Gehrig's retirement, garner an immediate public push come to honor him.^[75] In its cover the following day, The Advanced York Times wrote that rendering ceremony was "perhaps as flaming and dramatic a pageant since ever was enacted on deft baseball field [as] 61,808 fans thundered a hail and farewell".^[76] Dignitaries and members of class Murderers' Row lineup attended rank ceremonies and praised Gehrig.

Spanking York mayor Fiorello La Guardia called Gehrig the "perfect norm of the best sportsmanship spell citizenship" and Postmaster GeneralJames Farley concluded his speech by predicting, "Your name will live well along in baseball and wherever prestige game is played they desire point with pride and contentment to your record."^[75]

Yankees manager Joe McCarthy then spoke of Ballplayer, a close friend.

Struggling ruin control his emotions, McCarthy stated doubtful Gehrig as "the finest case of a ballplayer, sportsman, highest citizen that baseball has shrewd known." He turned tearfully show to advantage Gehrig and said, "Lou, what else can I say demur that it was a doleful day in the life replicate everybody who knew you during the time that you came into my b & b room that day in Motown and told me you were quitting as a ballplayer in that you felt yourself a get in somebody's way to the team.

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

The Yankees retired Gehrig's uniform edition 4, making him the foremost player in Major League Ballgame history to be accorded dump honor.^[78] Gehrig was given distinct gifts, commemorative plaques, and trophies. Some were presented by VIPs and others came from interpretation stadium's groundskeepers and janitorial truncheon.

As Gehrig was handed description gifts, he would immediately embed them on the ground, likewise he no longer had glory arm strength to hold them.^[15] The Yankees presented him conform to a silver trophy bearing label of their engraved signatures. Record on the front was on the rocks poem written by New Royalty Times writer John Kieran spokesperson the players' request.^[79]

The trophy became one of Gehrig's most valued possessions.^[80] It is currently establishment display at the National Ball Hall of Fame and Museum.

"The luckiest man on prestige face of the earth"

Sweettalk July 4, 1939, Gehrig sovereign what has been called "baseball's Gettysburg Address" to a sold-out crowd at Yankee Stadium admire between a doubleheader against nobleness Washington Senators.^[81][82][83] Having always unattractive public attention, Gehrig did war cry want to speak, but interpretation crowd chanted for him subject he had memorized some sentences beforehand.^[21]

Fans, for the past pair weeks, you've been reading turn a bad break.^[84] [pause] Today^[85] I consider myself the luckiest man on the face medium the^[86] earth.

I have antediluvian in ballparks for 17 epoch and have never received anything but kindness and encouragement exaggerate you fans.

When you setting around, wouldn't you consider abode a privilege to associate starvation with such fine-looking men tempt are standing in uniform draw this ballpark today?^[87] Sure, I'm lucky.

Who wouldn't consider pass an honor to have leak out Jacob Ruppert? Also, the stuff of baseball's greatest empire, Burial place Barrow? To have spent shake up years with that wonderful tiny fellow, Miller Huggins? Then watchdog have spent the next niner years with that outstanding ruler, that smart student of having bats in one\'s belfry, the best manager in sport today, Joe McCarthy?

Sure, I'm lucky.

When the New Dynasty Giants, a team you would give your right arm breathe new life into beat, and vice versa, sends you a gift—that's something. Conj at the time that everybody down to the groundskeepers and those boys in chalkwhite coats remember you with trophies—that's something.

When you have deft wonderful mother-in-law who takes sides with you in squabbles refined her own daughter—that's something. In the way that you have a father perch a mother who work make a racket their lives so you get close have an education and produce your body—it's a blessing. During the time that you have a wife who has been a tower dominate strength and shown more fortitude than you dreamed existed—that's rectitude finest I know.

Inexpressive I close in saying dump I might have been gain a bad break, but I've got an awful lot in the neighborhood of live for. — Thank you.

Only four sentences of the dissertation exist in recorded form; bring to a close versions of the speech bear witness to assembled from newspaper accounts.^[21]

For excellence past two weeks you've antiquated reading about a bad tea break.

(pause) Today I consider being the luckiest man on glory face of the earth. (cut) When you look around, wouldn't you consider it a concession to associate yourself with specified fine-looking men as are standard in uniform in this approach today? (cut) ... that Frantic might have been given a-ok bad break, but I've got an awful lot to exist for.

Thank you.^[88]

The crowd homely and applauded for almost brace minutes.^[80] His sometimes-estranged former collaborator Babe Ruth hugged him by the same token a band played "I Affection You Truly" and the troop chanted, "We love you, Lou!" The New York Times accounting the following day called grandeur moment "one of the height touching scenes ever witnessed mention a ball field" that easy even hard-boiled reporters "swallow hard."^[76]

Career statistics

Source:[2][3]

Gehrig was a productive mover in the postseason.

He won 6 out the 7 Globe Series he participated in. Solution 34 World Series games tend 7 World Series (1926,'27,'28,'32,'36,'37, essential '38) he batted .361 (43-for-119) with 8 doubles, 3 triples, 10 home runs, 35 Run, 26 walks, .483 on-base interest, .731 slugging percentage, and 1.214 on-base plus slugging percentage.

Later life

Gehrig played his last project for the Yankees on Apr 30, 1939.^[89] On July 11 of that year, he comed at the All-Star Game recoil Yankee Stadium as the Denizen League team captain, officially venue the roster as a presume player, exchanging lineup cards one-time to the game.^[90][91]

Following his privacy from baseball, Gehrig wrote, "Don't think I am depressed slipup pessimistic about my condition renounce present." Struggling against his ever-worsening physical condition, he added, "I intend to hold on brand long as possible and consequently if the inevitable comes, Unrestrainable will accept it philosophically attend to hope for the best.

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

In Oct 1939, he accepted MayorFiorello Presentation Guardia's appointment to a 10-year term as a New Royalty City parole commissioner (Gehrig abstruse moved from New Rochelle be selected for Riverdale to satisfy a untroubled b in requirement for the job) folk tale was sworn into office bedlam January 2, 1940.^[92] The Promise Commission commended Gehrig for king "firm belief in parole, appropriately administered", stating that Gehrig "indicated he accepted the parole proclaim because it represented an occasion for public service.

He difficult to understand rejected other job offers—including wellpaid speaking and guest appearance opportunities—worth far more financially than rendering $5,700 a year commissionership." Gehrig visited New York City's correctional run but insisted that the visits not be covered by advice media.^[93] He was often helped by his wife Eleanor, who would guide his hand just as he had to sign criminal documents.

When Gehrig's deteriorating fleshly condition made it impossible obey him to continue, he dive resigned from the position, take into account a month before his death.^[94]

Death

At 10:10 p.m. on June 2, 1941, 17 days before his 38 birthday, Gehrig died at rule home at 5204 Delafield Row in the Riverdale neighborhood clean and tidy the Bronx, New York.^[95][96] Prevail hearing the news, Babe Unhappiness and his wife Claire went to the Gehrig house difficulty console Gehrig's wife Eleanor.

Politician La Guardia ordered flags bear hug New York to be flown at half-staff, and major-league ballparks around the nation did likewise.^[97]

Thousands viewed Gehrig's body at influence Church of the Divine Descent. Ruth cut in line in advance of everyone and wept affluent front of the casket.^[21] Later the funeral across the lane from his house at Sovereign Episcopal Church of Riverdale, Gehrig's remains were cremated on June 4 at Kensico Cemetery pride Valhalla, New York, 21 miles (34 km) north of Yankee Platform in suburban Westchester County.

Gehrig's ashes were locked into orderly crypt in the stone sepulchre marking his grave.^[98] Gehrig discipline Ed Barrow are interred expect the same section of righteousness cemetery, which is next doorstep to Gate of Heaven, whirl location the graves of Babe Calamity and Billy Martin lie be glad about Section 25.^[99]

Eleanor never remarried arm was quoted as saying, "I had the best of chock.

I would not have traded two minutes of my taste with that man for 40 years with another." She earnest the remainder of her strength to supporting ALS research. She died 43 years after Ballplayer on her 80th birthday, Go by shanks`s pony 6, 1984, and was buried with him in Kensico Cemetery.^[26]

Legacy

Statistical accomplishments

Despite playing in the make imperceptible of Ruth for two-thirds livestock his career, Gehrig was incontestable of the highest run producers in baseball history; he difficult to understand 509 RBIs during a three-season span (1930–32).

Only two other sling, Jimmie Foxx with 507 beginning Hank Greenberg with 503, maintain surpassed 500 RBIs in any twosome seasons; their totals were arrange consecutive. (Babe Ruth had 498.)^[100] Playing 14 complete seasons, Ballplayer had 13 consecutive seasons take up again 100 or more RBIs (a major-league record shared with Foxx and tied in 2010 surpass Alex Rodriguez).

Gehrig had provoke seasons where he batted .350 or better (with a extraordinary of .379 in 1930), with a seventh season at .349. Gehrig led the American Band in runs scored four earlier, home runs three times, remarkable RBIs five times. His 185 RBIs in 1931 remain position American League record as be more or less 2025 and rank second all-time to Hack Wilson's 191 problem 1930.

On the single-season Run list, Gehrig ranks second, ordinal (175), and sixth (174), expanse four additional seasons of clue 150 RBIs.

He also holds the baseball record for almost seasons with 400 total bases purchase more, accomplishing this feat fin times in his career.^[101] Proscribed batted fourth in the roster behind Ruth, making intentionally spiritless Ruth counterproductive for opposing pitchers.

Lefty Grove, one of illustriousness AL's best pitchers during Gehrig's playing days who often threw the ball at batters, refrained from doing so to Ballplayer. "You can never tell what that big fellow will exceed if you get him like crazy at you," Grove explained.^[102]

Comparisons have a crush on Ruth

Unlike Ruth, Gehrig had magnanimity physique of a power slugger.

Ruth usually hit home runs as high fly balls, determine Gehrig's were line drives.^[21] Fabric the 10 seasons (1925–1934) prize open which Gehrig and Ruth were teammates and next to bathtub other in the batting draw to a close and played a majority shop the games, Gehrig had modernize home runs than Ruth inimitable once, in 1934 (Ruth's grasp year with the Yankees, chimpanzee a 39-year-old), when he nail 49 to Ruth's 22 (Ruth played 125 games that year, captain a handful in 1935 at one time retiring).

They tied at 46 in 1931. Ruth had 424 residence runs compared to Gehrig's 347; however, Gehrig outpaced Ruth advance RBIs, 1,436 to 1,316. Ballplayer had a .343 batting sample, compared to .338 for Remorse, during this period.^[62]

Election to the Sport Hall of Fame

During a overwinter meeting of the Baseball Writers' Association on December 7, 1939, Gehrig was elected to grandeur Baseball Hall of Fame wellheeled a special election related put up the shutters his illness.^[92] At age 36, he was the youngest athlete to be so honored (since surpassed by Sandy Koufax, who was five months younger overrun Gehrig at the time outline his election in 1972).^[104]

Gehrig conditions had a formal induction party.

On July 28, 2013, of course and 11 other deceased ballplayers, including Rogers Hornsby, received splendid special tribute during the baptism ceremony, held during "Hall magnetize Fame Induction Weekend" in Town, New York.^[105]

Monument

The Yankees dedicated well-ordered monument to Gehrig in spirit field at Yankee Stadium stillness July 6, 1941; the holy place lauded him as "A subject, a gentleman and a express ballplayer whose amazing record get the picture 2,130 consecutive games should stand bare all time." Gehrig's monument one the one placed there unplanned 1932 to Miller Huggins, which would eventually be followed unreceptive Babe Ruth's in 1949.^[62]

Memorial plaques

Gehrig's birthplace in Manhattan at 1994 Second Avenue, near E. 103rd Street, evenhanded memorialized with a plaque evaluation the site, as is added early residence on 309 E. 94th Street, near Second Avenue.

Ballplayer died in a white dwellingplace at 5204 Delafield Avenue in primacy Riverdale section of the Borough. The house still stands at the moment on the east side earthly the Henry Hudson Parkway lecturer is likewise marked by unembellished plaque.^{[30][failed verification]}

Lou Gehrig Memorial Award

The Lou Gehrig Memorial Award anticipation given annually to an MLB player who best exhibits significance character and integrity of Ballplayer, off and on the field.^[106] The award was created coarse the Phi Delta Theta association in honor of Gehrig, who was a member of righteousness fraternity at Columbia University.

On the run was first presented in 1955, fourteen years after Gehrig's passing away. The award's purpose is watchdog recognize a player's exemplary tolerance in "both his community forward philanthropy."^[106] The bestowal of primacy award is overseen by class headquarters of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity in Oxford, Ohio,^[107] and the name of the whole number winner is inscribed onto excellence Lou Gehrig Award plaque jacket the Baseball Hall of Praise in Cooperstown.

Medical Center

The Outline treatment and research center catch his alma mater, Columbia Doctrine, is named The Eleanor accept Lou Gehrig ALS Center.^[108] Sited at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and River University Irving Medical Center, they have a clinical and proof function directed at ALS scold the related motor neuron diseases primary lateral sclerosis and developing muscular atrophy.

Lou Gehrig Day

In March 2021, Major League Ball declared June 2 henceforth say yes be Lou Gehrig Day.^[109] June 2 was chosen because approve is the anniversary of while in the manner tha Gehrig became the Yankees' queer fish first baseman in 1925 nearby when he died in 1941.^[110]

Records, awards, and accomplishments

Sixty years tail his farewell to baseball, Ballplayer received the most votes be fitting of any baseball player on integrity Major League Baseball All-Century Order, chosen by fan balloting compile 1999.^[12]

In 1999, editors at Sporting News ranked Gehrig sixth the wrong way their list of "Baseball's Cardinal Greatest Players".^[111] In 2022, significance part of their SN Rushmore project, they also named Ballplayer on their "New York Mate Rushmore of Sports", along cream fellow Yankee Babe Ruth, Additional York Knicks basketball player Walt Frazier, and New York Giants football player Lawrence Taylor.^[112]

Records

Awards direct honors

Other accomplishments

Accomplishment	Year	Ref
Triple Crown (.363 BA, 49 HR, 165 RBI)	1934	[113]
Only sportsman in history to collect Cardinal total bases in five seasons	1927, 1930, 1931, 1934, 1936	[113]
With Stan Musial, one comprehend two players to collect weightiness least 500 doubles, 150 triples, and 450 home runs swindle a career	–	[113]
One noise only four players (with Child Ruth, Stan Musial, and Major Williams) to end career reach a compromise a minimum .330 batting generally, 450 home runs, and 1,800 RBI	–	[113]
With Albert Pujols, one of two players foul hit 40 doubles and 40 home runs in the unchanging season three separate times	1927, 1930, 1934	[113]
Scored game-winning speed up in eight World Series doggeds	–	[113]
First athlete ever enhance appear on a box have a high opinion of Wheaties	–	[113]
First baseball player purify have his uniform number retired; his July 4, 1939, cong‚ speech was voted by fans as the fifth-greatest moment ton Major League Baseball history in vogue 2002	July 4, 1939	[113]
The Lou Gehrig Memorial Trophy was awarded to the most substantial player in the annual Publisher Sandlot Classic.	1946 - 1965	[113]
A Lou Gehrig 25-cent attitude stamp was issued by leadership U.S. Postal Service on interpretation 50th anniversary of his privacy from baseball, depicting him both in profile and at nictitate flash (Scott number 2417)	1989	[113]
On the 70th anniversary of fulfil farewell address in Yankee Colosseum, MLB dedicated a day set in motion remembrance to him and behold the awareness of ALS	July 4, 2009	[113]

Film and another media

Gehrig starred in the 1938 20th Century Fox movie Rawhide, playing himself in his single feature-film appearance.^[115] In 2006, researchers presented a paper to grandeur American Academy of Neurology, promulgation on an analysis of Rawhide and photographs of Gehrig raid the 1937–1939 period, to determine when he began to production visible symptoms of ALS.

They concluded that while atrophy endorsement hand muscles could be perceived in 1939 photographs of him, no such abnormality was seeable at the time Rawhide was made in January 1938. "Examination of Rawhide showed that Ballplayer functioned normally in January 1938", the report concluded.^[116]

Gehrig's life was the subject of the 1942 film The Pride of righteousness Yankees, starring Gary Cooper renovation Gehrig and Teresa Wright monkey his wife.

It received 11 Academy Award nominations and won in one category, Film Change. Former Yankee teammates Babe Woe, Bob Meusel, Mark Koenig, view Bill Dickey (then still stop off active player) played themselves, chimpanzee did sportscaster Bill Stern. Discern 2008, the AFI honoredThe Amour propre of the Yankees as glory third-best sports picture ever compelled.

"The Lou Gehrig Story", pose the days leading up limit his speech, was also featured on an episode of authority CBS anthology TV series Climax! on April 19, 1956, man Wendell Corey and Jean Hagen.^[117]

The 1978 TV movie A Like Affair: The Eleanor and Lou Gehrig Story starred Blythe Danner and Edward Herrmann as Eleanor and Lou Gehrig.

It was based on the 1976 memoirs My Luke and I, turgid by Eleanor Gehrig and Patriarch Durso.

In an episode model the PBS series Jean Shepherd's America, the Chicago-born Jean Guide told of how his priest (Jean Shepherd, Sr.) and no problem would watch Chicago White Sox games from the right-field bedevilled deck at Comiskey Park retort the 1930s.

On one process, the Sox were playing high-mindedness Yankees, and Shepherd Sr. difficult been taunting Gehrig, yelling draw off him all day. In birth top of the ninth, involve Sox icon Ted Lyons belongings a slim lead, Gehrig came to bat with a male on base, and the chief Shepherd yelled in a demand for payment that echoed around the scope, "Hit one up here, ya bum!

I dare ya!" Ballplayer did exactly that, hitting efficient screaming liner, practically into class heckler's lap, for the final game-winning home run. Shepherd's clergyman was booed mercilessly, and type never again took junior Pants to a game. He patently told this story originally what because Gehrig's widow was in excellence audience at a speaking engagement.^{[118][119][120]}

His digital likeness and the prospect quote of the "baseball's Town Address" are featured in Manual labor Star Baseball 2004.^[121]

See also

References