Lou Gehrig: A Baseball Reference

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Lou Gehrig: A Baseball Legend

Lou Gehrig was one of the most accomplished baseball players of all time. In his 17-year career with the New York Yankees he won six World Series titles and was named American League MVP twice. He also holds the record for most consecutive games played with 2,130.

Sadly, Gehrig’s career was cut short by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a debilitating disease that eventually took his life. But even in the face of such adversity, Gehrig continued to exhibit the same strength and determination that had defined his entire life. In a now-famous speech delivered at Yankee Stadium on July 4, 1939, Gehrig declared himself “the luckiest man on the face of the earth,” despite all he had been through.

Gehrig’s legacy extends far beyond his accomplishments on the baseball field He is remembered as an inspiration to all who face adversity, and his courageous story continues to touch the lives of people around the world.

Lou Gehrig’s Early Life and Career

Lou Gehrig was born in New York City on June 19, 1903. He was the oldest of four children of German immigrants. Gehrig’s father, Heinrich, worked as a butcher. His mother, Christina Fochs Gehrig, was a homemaker. Lou grew up in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan.

As a Young Boy Lou showed great promise as a baseball player He played for his school team and for a local semi-professional team called the Hudson Valley Hughutationists. In 1920, he enrolled at Columbia University on a baseball scholarship. Lou played well for the Columbia Lions but he left school after only two years to pursue his dream of playing professional baseball

In 1923, Gehrig signed with the New York Yankees He made his Major League debut with the Yankees on June 15, 1925. Gehrig quickly established himself as one of the best players in baseball He was nicknamed “The Iron Horse” because of his durability and strength. Gehrig played in 2,130 consecutive games between 1925 and 1939—a record that stood until it was broken by Cal Ripken Jr. in 1995.

Lou Gehrig’s Record-Breaking Streak

In baseball, there is a stat called the “consecutive games played” streak. This measures the number of games a player appears in during their career, without missing a game. The record for the longest streak belongs to Lou Gehrig who played in 2,130 consecutive games over the course of his career with the New York Yankees

Gehrig’s streak began on May 30th, 1925 and ended on April 30th, 1939. During that time, he appeared in 14 seasons with the Yankees, appearing in all 155 games in 13 of those seasons. He was awarded the American League MVP twice during his streak (1927 and 1936), won 6 World Series titles with the Yankees (1927, 1928, 1932, 1936, 1937, 1938), and was elected to 7 All-Star teams.

On June 2nd, 1939 (just two days after his streak ended), Gehrig delivered his famous “Luckiest Man” speech at Yankee Stadium Less than two months later, he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which would eventually claim his life just two years later at the age of 37.

Lou Gehrig’s Battle with ALS

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1939, Gehrig was one of the greatest baseball players of all time. But in 2019, his legacy is defined by something much different: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the degenerative neurological condition that now bears his name.

Gehrig first began showing symptoms of ALS in 1938, when he was just 36 years old. He initially attributed the weakness in his limbs to a viral infection, but when the symptoms failed to subside, he sought out medical help. After a series of tests, Gehrig was given the devastating news that he had ALS.

ALS progresses differently in every person who has it, but for Gehrig, it progressed relatively quickly. By 1939, he was forced to retire from baseball due to his declining health. In June of that year, he gave a now-famous speech at Yankee Stadium in which he declared himself “the luckiest man on the face of the earth,” despite his terminal diagnosis.

Gehrig passed away just two years later, at the age of 38. Though there is no cure for ALS, scientists have made significant strides in understanding the disease since Gehrig’s death. In 2014, for example, researchers identified a gene that contributes to the development of ALS in some people. And though there is still no way to slow or stop the progression of ALS, treatments have been developed that can help people manage their symptoms and extend their life expectancy.

Lou Gehrig’s Legacy

Lou Gehrig is considered one of the greatest baseball players of all time. He played for the New York Yankees from 1923 until 1939, when he had to retire due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. During his career, Gehrig won six World Series titles, was a seven-time All-Star, and was the American League MVP in 1927 and 1936. His legacy continues to this day, as he is widely regarded as one of the most influential players in baseball history

Lou Gehrig’s Impact on the Game of Baseball

Lou Gehrig was one of the most influential players in the history of baseball. He played for the New York Yankees from 1923 to 1939, and was a part of six World Series championship teams. Gehrig was a two-time American League MVP, and won the Triple Crown in 1934. He is also considered one of the greatest sluggers of all time, with a career batting average of .340 and 493 home runs Gehrig’s impact on the Game of Baseball was profound, and his legacy continues to this day.

Lou Gehrig’s Place in Baseball History

Lou Gehrig was a professional baseball player who played for the New York Yankees from 1923 to 1939. He was a six-time World Series champion and a seven-time All-Star. He won the American League Most Valuable Player Award twice, and he holds the record for the most consecutive Games Played He is considered one of the greatest baseball players of all time.

Lou Gehrig’s Legacy Off the Field

Lou Gehrig was a first baseman who played for the New York Yankees from 1923 to 1939. He was a seven-time All-Star and won six World Series titles with the Yankees. Gehrig is considered one of the greatest players in baseball history and his legacy extends off the field as well.

Gehrig was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 1939, and he died two years later at the age of 37. In his memory, the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award was created to honor baseball players who best exemplify his character and integrity. The award is given annually to a player who demonstrates outstanding character and leadership on and off the field.

In addition to the award bearing his name, Gehrig’s memory is also honored with a plaque at Yankee Stadium The plaque reads: “A great leader, a great ballplayer, a gentleman.”

Lou Gehrig’s Final Days

Lou Gehrig who died of ALS in 1941, was one of the best baseball players of his time. He played for the New York Yankees from 1923-1939 and was a part of six World Series winning teams. In 1936, he was diagnosed with ALS, but continued to play for three more years until he had to retire in 1939 due to his declining health.

After retiring from baseball, Gehrig gave a farewell speech at Yankee Stadium on July 4, 1939 where he famously said, “Today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth.” He died two years later on June 2, 1941 at the age of 37.

Lou Gehrig’s Legacy Lives On

Lou Gehrig was one of the most prolific players in baseball history He played for the New York Yankees for 17 seasons and is widely considered one of the best first basemen of all time. Gehrig was a six-time World Series champion and a two-time MVP. He was also a member of the famed “Murderer’s Row” Yankees teams of the late 1920s and early 1930s.

Gehrig’s career came to an abrupt end in 1939 when he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a degenerative disease that eventually took his life. He was just 36 years old. In spite of his shortened career, Gehrig’s legacy has lived on. He was posthumously inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1939 and his number, 4, has been retired by the Yankees.