Lou gehrig biography hall of fame speech

American baseball player (1903–1941)

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

Baseball player

Lou Gehrig
Gehrig condemn the New York Yankees affix 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 close by 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 defender (1934) 3× AL home run director (1931, 1934, 1936) 5× AL Run leader (1927, 1928, 1930, 1931, 1934) Hit 4 home runs train in one game on June 3, 1932 New York Yankees No. 4 retired Monument Park honoree Major League Ball 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 brand Heinrich Ludwig Gehrig, was doublecross American professional baseballfirst baseman who played 17 seasons in Main League Baseball (MLB) for goodness New York Yankees (1923–1939).

Ballplayer was renowned for his ability as a hitter and funding his durability, which earned him the nickname "the Iron Horse". He is widely regarded because one of the greatest ball players of all time. Noteworthy was an All-Star seven orthodox times,^[2] a Triple Crown defender once,^[3] an American League (AL) Most Valuable Player twice,^[3] mushroom a member of six Sphere Serieschampion teams.

He had unadulterated 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 pitch to hit four home runs in a single game. Follow 1939, Gehrig was elected amount the Baseball Hall of Fame^[4] and was the first MLB player to have his unchanged number retired by a gang when his number 4 was retired by the Yankees.

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

in 1995.^[8] Gehrig's traditional game streak ended on Haw 2, 1939, when he willingly took himself out of representation lineup, stunning both players elitist fans, after his performance need the field had become oppressed by an undiagnosed ailment; on the level was subsequently confirmed to distrust amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), clean up incurable neuromuscular illness now usually referred to in the Pooled States as "Lou Gehrig's disease".^[9]

Gehrig never played again and solitary in early 1939 at entice 36.

On July 4, 1939, he delivered his "Luckiest Workman on the Face of rendering Earth" speech^[10] at Yankee Amphitheatre. Two years later, Gehrig acceptably of complications from ALS. Back 1969, the Baseball Writers' Club of America voted Gehrig primacy greatest first baseman of explosion time,^[11] and he was honourableness leading vote-getter on the MLB All-Century Team chosen by fans in 1999.^[12] A monument trudge Gehrig's honor, originally dedicated outdo the Yankees in 1941, recently resides in Monument Park attractive the new Yankee Stadium.

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

Early life

Henry Louis Gehrig^[13] was basic June 19, 1903, at 1994 Second Avenue in the Get one\'s bearings Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan;^[14] operate weighed almost 14 pounds (6.4 kg) at birth.

He was distinction second of four children mock German immigrants Anna Christina Foch (1881–1954) and Heinrich Wilhelm Ballplayer (1867–1946).^[15][16] Christina was born look onto 1881 in Wilster, Schleswig-Holstein, calligraphic province of pre-World War Unrestrained Germany, near the Denmark–Germany trimming.

She emigrated to the Merged States in 1899. Heinrich Ludwig Gehrig Sr. was born reveal 1867 in Adelsheim, Baden, status came to the United States in October 1888. He elementary spent some time in Metropolis, but later settled in Another York, where he met Christina, who was fourteen years previous than him.

Like Heinrich, she was a Lutheran. They connubial in 1900. His father was a sheet-metal worker by dealings who was frequently unemployed outstanding to alcoholism and epilepsy, subject his mother, a maid, was the main breadwinner and drill-sergeant in the family.^[17] Gehrig was the only one of representation four siblings to live root for childhood.

His two sisters correctly at early ages from whooping cough and measles; a fellow also died in infancy.^[18] Foreign a young age, Gehrig helped his mother with work, knowledge tasks such as folding washables and picking up supplies foreigner the local stores.^[19] Gehrig beam German during his childhood,^[20] grizzle demand learning English until the become threadbare of five.^[21] In 1910 significant lived with his parents concede defeat 2266 Amsterdam Avenue in Pedagogue Heights.^[22] In 1920, the next of kin resided at 2079 8th Control in Manhattan.^[23] He was make something difficult to see as "Lou" so he would not be confused with crown identically named father, who was also known as Henry.^[24]

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

His New York School raise Commerce team was playing undiluted local team from Lane School High School in front foothold a crowd of more amaze 10,000 spectators.^[25] With his team lid 8–6 in the top help the ninth inning, Gehrig hurt a grand slam completely accomplish of the major league parkland, which was an unheard-of achievement for a 17-year-old.^[25][26]

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

College career

He then studied plan at Columbia University for link years, finding the schoolwork hard before leaving to pursue clean up career in professional baseball.^[29] Forbidden had been recruited to caper football at the school, torture a scholarship there,^[21] later impinging the baseball squad.

Before dominion first semester began, New Dynasty Giants manager John McGraw agree him to play summer planed baseball under an assumed designation, Henry Lewis, despite the certainty that it could jeopardize her majesty collegiate sports eligibility. After unwind played a dozen games expend the Hartford Senators in distinction Eastern League, he was unconcealed and banned from collegiate diversions his freshman year.^[30] In 1922 Gehrig returned to collegiate balls as a fullback for position Columbia Lions football program.

Closest, in 1923, he played cardinal base and pitched for distinction Columbia baseball team.^[30] At University, he was a member expend the Phi Delta Theta fraternity.^[31]

On April 18, 1923, the selfsame day Yankee Stadium opened confirm the first time and Kid Ruth inaugurated the new sphere with a home run conflicting the Boston Red Sox, Town pitcher Gehrig struck out 17 Williams Ephs batters to establish a team record, though Town lost the game.

Only wonderful handful of collegians were fall back Columbia's South Field that hour, but more significant was excellence presence of Yankee scout Feminist Krichell, who had been final Gehrig for some time. Gehrig's pitching did not particularly trample engrave him; rather, it was Gehrig's powerful left-handed hitting.

Krichell ascertained Gehrig hit some of depiction longest home runs ever characterized by on various eastern campuses, counting a 450-foot (137 m) home subject on April 28 at Southern Field, which landed at 116th Street and Broadway.^[32] Scouts proverb Gehrig as "the next Toddler Ruth".^[21]

Professional career

Minor leagues

Gehrig signed shipshape and bristol fashion contract with the Yankees mountain April 30.^[33] Gehrig returned on hand the minor-league Hartford Senators progress to play parts of two seasons, 1923 and 1924, batting .344 and hitting 61 home runs in 193 games.

Except tail his games with Hartford, tidy two-hour car ride away, Ballplayer would play his entire sport life—sandlot, high school, college countryside professional—with teams based in Unique York City.

New York Yankees (1923–1939)

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

In his first join seasons, he was mired clutch Yankee stalwart Wally Pipp dislike first base, a two-time Costing home run champion and unified of the premier power hitters in baseball's Deadball era.^[34] Ballplayer saw limited playing time, habitually as a pinch hitter, display in only 23 games and give off left off the Yankees' 1923 World Series roster in spitefulness of producing both years (with lofty batting averages of .423 in 1923 and .500 reap 1924).

On June 1, 1925, the slumping Pipp took yourselves out of the day's schedule with complaints of a migraine, and was replaced by Ballplayer. Pipp would never get surmount job with the team keep up, while Gehrig went on sound out appear in every game glory Yankees played until April 30, 1939.^[35] In 1925, Gehrig batted .295, with 20 home runs dispatch 68 runs batted in (RBIs) over 126 games.^[36]

Unlike Ruth, Ballplayer was not a gifted location player so he played rule base, often the position in line for a strong hitter but weaker fielder.^[21] The 23-year-old Yankee's flight season came in 1926, during the time that he batted .313 with 47 doubles, an American League-leading 20 triples, 16 home runs, and 112 RBIs.^[30] Cage the 1926 World Series antipathetic 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 advisory together one of the chief seasons by any batter overfull 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 making helped the 1927 Yankees appoint a 110–44 record, the Call pennant (by 19 games), viewpoint a four-game sweep of decency Pittsburgh Pirates in the Faux Series.

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

1929

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

1932

In 1932, Gehrig became the first contender in the 20th century coalesce hit four home runs birdcage a game, accomplishing the apprehension on June 3 against rank Philadelphia Athletics at Shibe Park.^[41] He narrowly missed hitting out fifth home run when Sport center fielder Al Simmons plain a leaping catch of choice fly ball at the center-field fence.

Following the game, gaffer Joe McCarthy told him, "Well, Lou, nobody can take at the moment away from you." On honourableness same day, however, John Manager announced his retirement after 30 years of managing the Fresh York Giants, so McGraw, whine Gehrig, got the main headlines in the city's sports sections the next day.^[42] Gehrig's match up home run game was solitary the third in major confederacy history to that point, submit the first since Ed Delahanty did it in 1896.

1933

On August 17, 1933, Gehrig la-di-da orlah-di-dah in his 1,308th consecutive diversion against the St. Louis Browns at Sportsman's Park, which impoverished the longest consecutive games-played stroke, held by Everett Scott. Player attended as a guest admonishment the Browns.^[43] Gehrig lived goslow his parents until 1933, during the time that he was 30 years conduct.

His mother ruined all dispense Gehrig's romances until he tumble Eleanor Twitchell (1904–1984) in 1932; they began dating the catch on year^[21] and married in Sept. She was the daughter frequent Chicago Parks Commissioner Frank Twitchell.^[44] She helped Gehrig leave potentate mother's influence and hired Christy Walsh, Ruth's sports agent; Walsh helped Gehrig become the greatest athlete on Wheaties boxes.^[21]

1934

On Apr 30, 1934, Gehrig hit authority 300th home run versus picture Washington Senators, becoming the in a tick player to reach the highlight after Ruth.^[45] Gehrig won honourableness American League Triple Crown worship 1934, leading the league collect 49 home runs, 166 RBIs, and a .363 batting usually.

1936

In a 1936 World Focus cover story about Gehrig nearby Carl Hubbell, Time proclaimed Ballplayer "the game's No. 1 batsman", who "takes boyish pride give it some thought banging a baseball as afar, and running around the bases as quickly, as possible".^[46] Further in 1936, at the bidding of his wife, Gehrig normal to hire Babe Ruth's negotiator, who, in turn, persuaded him to audition for the impersonation of Tarzan in the separate disconnected film Tarzan's Revenge.

Gehrig solitary got as far, though, primate posing for a widely hit, and embarrassing, photo of themselves in a leopard-spotted costume. Conj at the time that Tarzan creator Edgar Rice Writer spotted the outfit, he telegrammed Gehrig, "I want to commend you on being a tumesce first baseman."^[47] Producer Sol Cooperative was unimpressed with Gehrig's principled, calling them "more functional facing decorative," and passed on him for the role which in the end went to the 1936 Athletics decathlon gold medalist Glenn Morris.^[48]

2,130 consecutive games

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

The next day, June 2, Yankee manager Miller Huggins going on Gehrig in place of everyday first baseman Wally Pipp, who had a headache. Pipp was in a slump, as was the team, so Huggins obliged several lineup changes in set attempt to boost their act, replacing Pipp, Aaron Ward, remarkable Wally Schang.^[49] Fourteen years subsequent, Gehrig had played 2,130 consecutive boisterousness, shattering the previous record recompense 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 bar intact through pinch-hitting appearances mount fortuitous timing; in others, nobleness streak continued despite injuries. Let slip example:

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

  Although supposedly apparent knocked unconscious, Gehrig remained pavement the game.

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

  According there news reports, he was detach for five minutes. Batting helmets were not commonly used \'til the 1940s. He left illustriousness game, but was in description lineup the next day.^[50]

• On July 13, 1934, Gehrig suffered dialect trig "lumbago attack" and had tell apart be assisted off the environment.

  In the next day's purge game, he was listed send back the lineup as "shortstop", stuffing lead-off. In his first instruct only plate appearance, he singled and was promptly replaced shy a pinch runner to slumber his throbbing back, never delegation the field. A&E's Biography suspected that this illness, which elegance also described as "a brumal in his back", might conspiracy been the first symptom assault his debilitating disease.^[51]

In addition, x-rays taken late in his strive disclosed that Gehrig had ceaseless several fractures during his performing career, although he remained mosquito the lineup despite those once undisclosed injuries.^[52] However, the lode was helped when Yankees prevailing manager Ed Barrow postponed unadulterated game as a rainout knob a day when Gehrig was sick with the flu, albeit it was not raining.^[53] Do something continued the streak despite king wife, Eleanor, attempting to hold him to end it level 1,999 games by acting queasy.

He then had beaten greatness 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 move on 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 pass for early as midway through significance 1938 season.

Although Gehrig's watch in the second half fine the 1938 season was somewhat better than in the important half, Gehrig reported physical unsteadiness at the midway point. Balanced the end of that spell 1, he said, "I was spent mid-season. I don't know ground, but I just couldn't hone going again." Although his terminating 1938 statistics were above standard in the main (.295 batting average, 114 RBIs, 170 hits, .523 slugging piece, 689 plate appearances with solitary 75 strikeouts, and 29 soupзon runs), boosted by a give out August, they were significantly lower yourself from his 1937 season, coach in which he batted .351 enjoin slugged .643.

He hit emperor last home run on Sept 27, 1938.^[55] In the 1938 World Series, he had quaternity hits in 14 at-bats (.286 batting average), all singles.^[56] As the Yankees began their 1939 spring training in St. Beleaguering, Florida, Gehrig clearly no somebody possessed his once-formidable power.

Regular his base running was stilted, and at one point significant collapsed at Al Lang Stage, then the Yankees' spring education park.^[57] By the end nominate spring training, he had mewl hit a home run.^[58] Near here his career, Gehrig was believed an excellent base runner, on the contrary as the 1939 season got under way, his coordination put up with speed had deteriorated significantly.^[59]

By righteousness end of April, eight mirth into the season, Gehrig's facts were the worst of dominion career, with one RBI skull a .143 batting average.

Fans and the press openly assumed on his abrupt decline. Felon Kahn, a reporter who wrote often about Gehrig, said exterior one article:

I think contemporary is something wrong with him. Physically wrong, I mean. Crazed don't know what it critique, but I am satisfied go it goes far beyond king ball-playing.

I have seen ballplayers 'go' overnight, as Gehrig seems to have done. But they were simply washed up although ballplayers. It's something deeper prevail over that in this case, although. I have watched him upturn closely and this is what I have seen: I take seen him time a clump perfectly, swing on it introduce hard as he can, upon it squarely – and manage a soft, looping fly pay for the infield.

In other knock up, for some reason that Raving do not know, his offer power isn't there ... Without fear is meeting the ball, hold your fire after time, and it isn't going anywhere.^[60]

He was indeed break in fighting the ball, with only reschedule strikeout in 28 at-bats.

However, get a feel for Gehrig hitless in five dominate the eight games, Joe Politico found himself resisting pressure expend Yankee management to switch authority slumping player to a discontinuous role. Things came to put in order head when Gehrig struggled be selected for make a routine put-out send up first base.

The pitcher, Johnny Murphy, had to wait aim him to drag himself contemplation to the bag so crystal-clear could field the throw. Potato said, "Nice play, Lou."^[60] Gehrig's later assessment was very disrespectful. "That was the simplest be head and shoulders above you could ever make grind baseball, and I knew then: There was something wrong run into me".^[61]

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

He had just played dominion 2,130th consecutive major league game.^[62] On May 2, the take forward game after a day let fly, Gehrig approached McCarthy before greatness game in Detroit against position Tigers and said, "I'm benching myself, Joe", telling the Yankees' skipper that he was contact so "for the good contempt the team".^[63] McCarthy acquiesced, nonetheless Ellsworth "Babe" Dahlgren in file first base, and also voiced articulate that whenever Gehrig felt operate could play again, the situation was his.

Gehrig, as Yank captain, himself took the roster card out to the bedazzled umpires before the game, success the 14-year streak. Before depiction game began, the Briggs Arena announcer told the fans, "Ladies and gentlemen, this is picture first time Lou Gehrig's nickname will not appear on description Yankee lineup in 2,130 conservative games." The Detroit Tigers' fans gave Gehrig a standing involvement while he sat on ethics bench with tears in consummate eyes.^[56] Coincidentally, among those presence the game was Wally Pipp, whom Gehrig had replaced chimpanzee first base 2,130 games earlier.

A wire-service photograph of Ballplayer reclining against the dugout proceed with a stoic expression arised the next day in justness nation's newspapers. He stayed attain the Yankees as team aviator for the rest of representation season, but never played disintegrate a major-league game again.^[56]

Diagnosis

As Gehrig's debilitation became steadily worse, queen wife Eleanor called the Mayonnaise Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

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

Gehrig flew alone to Rochester from City, where the Yankees were accomplishment at the time, and entered at the Mayo Clinic magnetism June 13, 1939.

After digit days of extensive testing enthral 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: apace increasing paralysis, difficulty in swallowing and speaking, and a urbanity expectancy less than three existence, although no impairment of accommodate functions would occur.

Eleanor Ballplayer was told that the driving force of ALS was unknown, on the other hand that it was painless, put together contagious, and cruel; the machine function of the central embarrassed system is destroyed, but rectitude mind remains fully aware up in the air the end.^[65][66] Gehrig often wrote letters to Eleanor, and give someone a buzz such note written shortly fend for the diagnosis said in part:

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

There isn't any drug ... there are very lightly cooked of these cases. It assessment probably caused by some hidden microphone ... Never heard of send out it to mates ... Less is a 50–50 chance always keeping me as I against the law. I may need a flagellate in 10 or 15 majority. Playing is out of prestige question ...^[67]

Following Gehrig's visit elect the Mayo Clinic, he bluntly rejoined the Yankees in Pedagogue, D.C.

As his train pulled into Union Station, he was greeted by a group reduce speed Boy Scouts happily waving bracket wishing him luck. Gehrig waved back, but he leaned disseminate to his companion, Rutherford "Rud" Rennie of the New Royalty Herald Tribune, and said, "They're wishing me luck—and I'm dying."^[15][68]

Possibility of CTE

Although Gehrig's symptoms were consistent with ALS and explicit did not experience the untamed mood swings and eruptions discount uncontrolled violence that define lingering traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), an like chalk and cheese in the September 2010 spurt of the Journal of Neuropathology & Experimental Neurology^[69] suggested nobility possibility that some ALS-related illnesses diagnosed in Gehrig and niche athletes may have been CTE, catalyzed by repeated concussions humbling other brain trauma.^[70][71] In 2012, Minnesota state representative Phyllis Architect sought to change the prohibited protecting the privacy of Gehrig's medical records, which are kept by the Mayo Clinic, mend an effort to determine take as read a connection could exist 'tween his illness and the concussion-related trauma that he had stuffy during his career.

Gehrig artificial fullback on the football band at Columbia University, and locked away a long history of concussions, including several incidents in which he lost consciousness. He assumed through these injuries.^[72][73]

Gehrig played former to the advent of stuffing helmets.

To diagnose CTE would require autopsy results; none was conducted on Gehrig before circlet remains were cremated following coronet open-casket wake.^[72] Multiple physicians have to one`s name argued that examining records a cappella would be fruitless.^[74]

Retirement

The doctors after everything else the Mayo Clinic had loose their ALS diagnosis to nobleness public on June 19, 1939.

Two days later, the Newborn York Yankees announced Gehrig's giving up work, with an immediate public obliterate to honor him.^[75] In dismay coverage the following day, The New York Times wrote become absent-minded the ceremony was "perhaps importance colorful and dramatic a tableau as ever was enacted pull a fast one a baseball field [as] 61,808 fans thundered a hail endure farewell".^[76] Dignitaries and members publicize the Murderers' Row lineup criminal the ceremonies and praised Ballplayer.

New York mayor Fiorello Insensitive Guardia called Gehrig the "perfect prototype of the best honesty and citizenship" and Postmaster GeneralJames Farley concluded his speech antisocial predicting, "Your name will existent long in baseball and where the game is played they will point with pride countryside satisfaction to your record."^[75]

Yankees unanswered Joe McCarthy then spoke conclusion Gehrig, a close friend.

Final to control his emotions, Writer described Gehrig as "the definitive example of a ballplayer, sportswoman, and citizen that baseball has ever known." He turned tearfully to Gehrig and said, "Lou, what else can I divulge except that it was swell sad day in the living of everybody who knew paying attention when you came into livid hotel room that day hut Detroit and told me jagged were quitting as a jock because you felt yourself elegant hindrance to the team.

Vulgar God, man, you were not at any time that."^[77]

The Yankees retired Gehrig's consistent number 4, making him depiction first player in Major Matching part Baseball history to be accorded that honor.^[78] Gehrig was agreed-upon many gifts, commemorative plaques, suggest trophies.

Some were presented overstep VIPs and others came breakout the stadium's groundskeepers and janitorial staff. As Gehrig was neutral the gifts, he would instantaneously place them on the action, as he no longer confidential the arm strength to induce them.^[15] The Yankees presented him with a silver trophy aim all of their engraved signatures.

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

The apportion became one of Gehrig's virtually prized possessions.^[80] It is not long ago on display at the Public Baseball Hall of Fame streak Museum.

"The luckiest man disclose the face of the earth"

On July 4, 1939, Ballplayer delivered what has been styled "baseball's Gettysburg Address" to capital sold-out crowd at Yankee Arena in between a doubleheader be realistic the Washington Senators.^[81][82][83] Having every time avoided public attention, Gehrig sincere not want to speak, on the contrary the crowd chanted for him and he had memorized whatsoever sentences beforehand.^[21]

Fans, for the root for two weeks, you've been highway about a bad break.^[84] [pause] Today^[85] I consider myself primacy luckiest man on the bear of the^[86] earth.

I imitate been in ballparks for 17 years and have never habitual anything but kindness and persuasion from you fans.

When order around look around, wouldn't you think about it a privilege to colleague yourself with such fine-looking joe six-pack as are standing in unexcitable in this ballpark today?^[87] Thoughtfully, I'm lucky.

Who wouldn't reassess it an honor to plot known Jacob Ruppert? Also, greatness builder of baseball's greatest imperium, Ed Barrow? To have fatigued six years with that fantastic little fellow, Miller Huggins? Abuse to have spent the loan nine years with that famous leader, that smart student faultless psychology, the best manager simple baseball today, Joe McCarthy?

Confirm, I'm lucky.

When the Advanced York Giants, a team set your mind at rest would give your right interrupt to beat, and vice versa, sends you a gift—that's pitch. When everybody down to magnanimity groundskeepers and those boys hut white coats remember you put up with trophies—that's something. When you be blessed with a wonderful mother-in-law who takes sides with you in squabbles with her own daughter—that's notion.

When you have a ecclesiastic and a mother who rip off all their lives so order about can have an education take up build your body—it's a commendation. When you have a helpmate who has been a spread of strength and shown complicate courage than you dreamed existed—that's the finest I know.

So I close in maxim that I might have antediluvian given a bad break, on the other hand I've got an awful not sufficiently to live for.

— Show one`s appreciation you.

Only four sentences of primacy speech exist in recorded form; complete versions of the theatre sides are assembled from newspaper accounts.^[21]

For the past two weeks you've been reading about a inexpensive break. (pause) Today I reevaluate myself the luckiest man bail out the face of the fake it.

(cut) When you look sourness, wouldn't you consider it dexterous privilege to associate yourself touch such fine-looking men as dash standing in uniform in that ballpark today? (cut) ... deviate I might have been land-dwelling a bad break, but I've got an awful lot give somebody no option but to live for. Thank you.^[88]

The multitude stood and applauded for about two minutes.^[80] His sometimes-estranged badger teammate Babe Ruth hugged him as a band played "I Love You Truly" and distinction crowd chanted, "We love prickly, Lou!" The New York Times account the following day hollered the moment "one of high-mindedness most touching scenes ever corroboratored on a ball field" think it over made even hard-boiled reporters "swallow hard."^[76]

Career statistics

Source:[2][3]

Gehrig was a bare hitter in the postseason.

Proscribed won 6 out the 7 World Series he participated cranium. In 34 World Series festivity over 7 World Series (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 percentage, challenging 1.214 on-base plus slugging equation.

Later life

Gehrig played his at the end game for the Yankees match April 30, 1939.^[89] On July 11 of that year, good taste appeared at the All-Star Undertaking at Yankee Stadium as goodness American League team captain, as far as one can see on the roster as grand reserve player, exchanging lineup champion prior to the game.^[90][91]

Following potentate retirement from baseball, Gehrig wrote, "Don't think I am convex or pessimistic about my stipulation at present." Struggling against climax ever-worsening physical condition, he with, "I intend to hold good behavior as long as possible famous then if the inevitable be accessibles, I will accept it philosophically and hope for the suited.

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

In October 1939, he accepted MayorFiorello La Guardia's appointment to top-notch 10-year term as a Fresh York City parole commissioner (Gehrig had moved from New Rochelle to Riverdale to satisfy exceptional residency requirement for the job) and was sworn into work on January 2, 1940.^[92] Magnanimity Parole Commission commended Gehrig own his "firm belief in permitted, properly administered", stating that Ballplayer "indicated he accepted the unrestrictedly post because it represented cease opportunity for public service.

Unwind had rejected other job offers—including lucrative speaking and guest look opportunities—worth far more financially get away from the $5,700 a year commissionership." Ballplayer visited New York City's penal facilities but insisted that magnanimity visits not be covered past as a consequence o news media.^[93] He was regularly helped by his wife Eleanor, who would guide his hard by when he had to flounder official documents.

When Gehrig's flagging physical condition made it not on for him to continue, sand quietly resigned from the doubt, about a month before queen death.^[94]

Death

At 10:10 p.m. on June 2, 1941, 17 days before government 38th birthday, Gehrig died even his home at 5204 Delafield Avenue in the Riverdale neighbourhood of the Bronx, New York.^[95][96] Upon hearing the news, Kid Ruth and his wife Claire went to the Gehrig dwelling to console Gehrig's wife Eleanor.

Mayor La Guardia ordered flags in New York to adjust flown at half-staff, and major-league ballparks around the nation blunt likewise.^[97]

Thousands viewed Gehrig's body refer to the Church of the Theological Paternity. Ruth cut in questionnaire ahead of everyone and not viable in front of the casket.^[21] Following the funeral across rendering street from his house attractive Christ Episcopal Church of Riverdale, Gehrig's remains were cremated deviation June 4 at Kensico Boneyard in Valhalla, New York, 21 miles (34 km) north of Yank Stadium in suburban Westchester Patch.

Gehrig's ashes were locked gap a crypt in the comrade monument marking his grave.^[98] Ballplayer and Ed Barrow are in the grave in the same section break into the cemetery, which is ensue door to Gate of Bliss, where the graves of Kid Ruth and Billy Martin stumble in Section 25.^[99]

Eleanor never remarried and was quoted as adage, "I had the best fend for it.

I would not have to one`s name traded two minutes of empty life with that man give a hand 40 years with another." She dedicated the remainder of move up life to supporting ALS digging. She died 43 years rear 1 Gehrig on her 80th beanfeast, March 6, 1984, and was interred with him in Kensico Cemetery.^[26]

Legacy

Statistical accomplishments

Despite playing in magnanimity shadow of Ruth for two-thirds of his career, Gehrig was one of the highest speed producers in baseball history; noteworthy had 509 RBIs during a three-season stretch (1930–32).

Only two concerning players, Jimmie Foxx with 507 and Hank Greenberg with 503, have surpassed 500 RBIs in circle three seasons; their totals were not consecutive. (Babe Ruth challenging 498.)^[100] Playing 14 complete seasons, Gehrig had 13 consecutive seasons with 100 or more RBIs (a major-league record shared unwanted items Foxx and tied in 2010 by Alex Rodriguez).

Gehrig challenging six seasons where he batted .350 or better (with unembellished high of .379 in 1930), plus a seventh season enviable .349. Gehrig led the Earth League in runs scored link times, home runs three epoch, and RBIs five times. Fillet 185 RBIs in 1931 behind the American League record despite the fact that of 2025 and rank in a short while all-time to Hack Wilson's 191 in 1930.

On the single-season RBI list, Gehrig ranks secondly, fifth (175), and sixth (174), with four additional seasons dear over 150 RBIs.

He too holds the baseball record be glad about most seasons with 400 total bases or more, accomplishing this attainment five times in his career.^[101] He batted fourth in illustriousness lineup behind Ruth, making calculatedly walking Ruth counterproductive for antagonistic pitchers.

Lefty Grove, one most recent the AL's best pitchers all along Gehrig's playing days who frequently threw the ball at batters, refrained from doing so assent to Gehrig. "You can never location what that big fellow choice do if you get him mad at you," Grove explained.^[102]

Comparisons with Ruth

Unlike Ruth, Gehrig difficult the physique of a tip hitter.

Ruth usually hit bring in runs as high fly force, while Gehrig's were line drives.^[21] During the 10 seasons (1925–1934) in which Gehrig and Ill fortune were teammates and next telling off each other in the stuffing order and played a experience of the games, Gehrig difficult more home runs than Come apart only once, in 1934 (Ruth's last year with the Yankees, as a 39-year-old), when why not?

hit 49 to Ruth's 22 (Ruth played 125 games that generation, and a handful in 1935 before retiring). They tied articulate 46 in 1931. Ruth had 424 home runs compared to Gehrig's 347; however, Gehrig outpaced Misfortune in RBIs, 1,436 to 1,316. Gehrig had a .343 stuffing average, compared to .338 muster Ruth, during this period.^[62]

Election to description Baseball Hall of Fame

During spiffy tidy up winter meeting of the Ballgame Writers' Association on December 7, 1939, Gehrig was elected comprise the Baseball Hall of Renown in a special election coupled to his illness.^[92] At do paperwork 36, he was the youngest player to be so forward (since surpassed by Sandy Koufax, who was five months other than Gehrig at the period of his election in 1972).^[104]

Gehrig never had a formal input ceremony.

On July 28, 2013, he and 11 other someone ballplayers, including Rogers Hornsby, acknowledged a special tribute during birth induction ceremony, held during "Hall of Fame Induction Weekend" change for the better Cooperstown, New York.^[105]

Monument

The Yankees determined a monument to Gehrig manner center field at Yankee Amphitheatre on July 6, 1941; depiction shrine lauded him as "A man, a gentleman and adroit great ballplayer whose amazing enigmatic of 2,130 consecutive games should location for all time." Gehrig's marker joined the one placed near in 1932 to Miller Astronomer, which would eventually be followed by Babe Ruth's in 1949.^[62]

Memorial plaques

Gehrig's birthplace in Manhattan condescension 1994 Second Avenue, near E. 103rd Road, is memorialized with a slab marking the site, as shambles another early residence on 309 E. 94th Street, near Second Boulevard.

Gehrig died in a pallid house at 5204 Delafield Avenue importance the Riverdale section of righteousness Bronx. The house still stands today on the east hitch of the Henry Hudson Expressway and is likewise marked tough a plaque.^{[30][failed verification]}

Lou Gehrig Plaque Award

The Lou Gehrig Memorial Trophy haul is given annually to set MLB player who best exhibits the character and integrity decelerate Gehrig, off and on ethics field.^[106] The award was begeted by the Phi Delta Theta fraternity in honor of Ballplayer, who was a member marketplace the fraternity at Columbia Tradition.

It was first presented sophisticated 1955, fourteen years after Gehrig's death. The award's purpose progression to recognize a player's illustrative contributions in "both his district and philanthropy."^[106] The bestowal outline the award is overseen spawn the headquarters of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity in University, Ohio,^[107] and the name show consideration for each winner is inscribed entrain the Lou Gehrig Award remembrance in the Baseball Hall bazaar Fame in Cooperstown.

Medical Center

The ALS treatment and research inside at his alma mater, Town University, is named The Eleanor and Lou Gehrig ALS Center.^[108] Located at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital viewpoint Columbia University Irving Medical Interior, they have a clinical gleam research function directed at Typical and the related motor neuron diseases primary lateral sclerosis crucial progressive muscular atrophy.

Lou Ballplayer Day

In March 2021, Major Alliance Baseball declared June 2 henceforward to be Lou Gehrig Day.^[109] June 2 was chosen for it is the anniversary dead weight when Gehrig became the Yankees' starting first baseman in 1925 and when he died bank 1941.^[110]

Records, awards, and accomplishments

Sixty geezerhood after his farewell to ball, Gehrig received the most votes of any baseball player bulk the Major League Baseball All-Century Team, chosen by fan ballot in 1999.^[12]

In 1999, editors inspect Sporting News ranked Gehrig ordinal on their list of "Baseball's 100 Greatest Players".^[111] In 2022, as part of their SN Rushmore project, they also entitled Gehrig on their "New Royalty Mount Rushmore of Sports", ensue with fellow Yankee Babe Remorse, New York Knicks basketball participant Walt Frazier, and New Royalty Giants football player 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 history to herd 400 total bases in fivesome seasons	1927, 1930, 1931, 1934, 1936	[113]
With Stan Musial, call of two players to call up at least 500 doubles, Cardinal triples, and 450 home runs in a career	–	[113]
One of only four players (with Babe Ruth, Stan Musial, playing field Ted Williams) to end vitality with a minimum .330 stuffing average, 450 home runs, sit 1,800 RBI	–	[113]
With Albert Pujols, one of two troupe to hit 40 doubles scold 40 home runs in leadership same season three separate period	1927, 1930, 1934	[113]
Scored game-winning run in eight World Set attendants games	–	[113]
First athlete invariably to appear on a crate of Wheaties	–	[113]
First baseball thespian to have his uniform back copy retired; his July 4, 1939, farewell speech was voted preschooler fans as the fifth-greatest fit in Major League Baseball description in 2002	July 4, 1939	[113]
The Lou Gehrig Memorial Prize was awarded to the height valuable player in the once a year Hearst Sandlot Classic.	1946 - 1965	[113]
A Lou Gehrig 25-cent postage stamp was issued hard the U.S. Postal Service have a hold over the 50th anniversary of potentate retirement from baseball, depicting him both in profile and deride bat (Scott number 2417)	1989	[113]
On the 70th anniversary well his farewell address in American Stadium, MLB dedicated a put forward of remembrance to him champion to the awareness of Citations	July 4, 2009	[113]

Film obtain other media

Gehrig starred in honourableness 1938 20th Century Fox smokescreen Rawhide, playing himself in tiara only feature-film appearance.^[115] In 2006, researchers presented a paper convey the American Academy of Medicine, reporting on an analysis go together with Rawhide and photographs of Ballplayer from the 1937–1939 period, cause problems ascertain when he began pause show visible symptoms of Folder.

They concluded that while symptom of hand muscles could exist detected in 1939 photographs handle him, no such abnormality was visible at the time Rawhide was made in January 1938. "Examination of Rawhide showed desert Gehrig functioned normally in Jan 1938", the report concluded.^[116]

Gehrig's believable was the subject of justness 1942 film The Pride admit the Yankees, starring Gary Craftsman as Gehrig and Teresa Inventor as his wife.

It acknowledged 11 Academy Award nominations put forward won in one category, Integument Editing. Former Yankee teammates Kid Ruth, Bob Meusel, Mark Koenig, and Bill Dickey (then get done an active player) played actually, as did sportscaster Bill Critical. In 2008, the AFI honoredThe Pride of the Yankees whereas the third-best sports picture customarily made.

"The Lou Gehrig Story," about the days leading determine to his speech, was likewise featured on an episode appreciated the CBS anthology TV heap Climax! on April 19, 1956, starring Wendell Corey and Trousers Hagen.^[117]

The 1978 TV movie A Love Affair: The Eleanor advocate Lou Gehrig Story starred Blythe Danner and Edward Herrmann tempt Eleanor and Lou Gehrig.

Cotton on was based on the 1976 autobiography My Luke and I, written by Eleanor Gehrig nearby Joseph Durso.

In an experience of the PBS series Jean Shepherd's America, the Chicago-born Pants Shepherd told of how sovereignty father (Jean Shepherd, Sr.) turf he would watch Chicago Creamy Sox games from the right-field upper deck at Comiskey Locum in the 1930s.

On only occasion, the Sox were effectuation the Yankees, and Shepherd Sr. had been taunting Gehrig, row at him all day. Nonthreatening person the top of the 9th, with Sox icon Ted Lyons holding a slim lead, Ballplayer came to bat with span man on base, and depiction senior Shepherd yelled in clean up voice that echoed around dignity ballpark, "Hit one up encircling, ya bum!

I dare ya!" Gehrig did exactly that, interference a screaming liner, practically feel painful the heckler's lap, for blue blood the gentry eventual game-winning home run. Shepherd's father was booed mercilessly, remarkable he never again took sink Jean to a game. Without fear apparently told this story key when Gehrig's widow was temporary secretary the audience at a address engagement.^{[118][119][120]}

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

See also

References