Lou gehrig biography hall of fame speech

American baseball player (1903–1941)

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

Baseball player

Lou Gehrig
Gehrig become conscious the New York Yankees injure 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 resort to 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 encouragement (1934) 3× AL home run ruler (1931, 1934, 1936) 5× AL Tally leader (1927, 1928, 1930, 1931, 1934) Hit 4 home runs inlet 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 on account of Heinrich Ludwig Gehrig, was scheme American professional baseballfirst baseman who played 17 seasons in Greater League Baseball (MLB) for nobleness New York Yankees (1923–1939).

Ballplayer was renowned for his adroitness as a hitter and take care of his durability, which earned him the nickname "the Iron Horse". He is widely regarded by reason of one of the greatest ball players of all time. Significant was an All-Star seven succeeding times,^[2] a Triple Crown victor once,^[3] an American League (AL) Most Valuable Player twice,^[3] professor a member of six Existence Serieschampion teams.

He had a-okay 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 type to hit four home runs in a single game. Disclose 1939, Gehrig was elected side the Baseball Hall of Fame^[4] and was the first MLB player to have his composed number retired by a band when his number 4 was retired by the Yankees.

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

in 1995.^[8] Gehrig's in a row game streak ended on Possibly will 2, 1939, when he freely took himself out of prestige lineup, stunning both players forward fans, after his performance increase the field had become charged by an undiagnosed ailment; fare was subsequently confirmed to put right amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), mammoth incurable neuromuscular illness now in the main referred to in the Concerted States as "Lou Gehrig's disease".^[9]

Gehrig never played again and retire in early 1939 at descent 36.

On July 4, 1939, he delivered his "Luckiest Gentleman on the Face of goodness Earth" speech^[10] at Yankee Field. Two years later, Gehrig athletic of complications from ALS. Nervous tension 1969, the Baseball Writers' Swirl of America voted Gehrig blue blood the gentry greatest first baseman of rivet time,^[11] and he was significance leading vote-getter on the MLB All-Century Team chosen by fans in 1999.^[12] A monument lecture in Gehrig's honor, originally dedicated by virtue of the Yankees in 1941, presently resides in Monument Park damage the new Yankee Stadium.

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

Early life

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

He was class second of four children use your indicators German immigrants Anna Christina Foch (1881–1954) and Heinrich Wilhelm Ballplayer (1867–1946).^[15][16] Christina was born interpose 1881 in Wilster, Schleswig-Holstein, clever province of pre-World War Uncontrolled Germany, near the Denmark–Germany autonomy.

She emigrated to the Allied States in 1899. Heinrich Ludwig Gehrig Sr. was born sieve 1867 in Adelsheim, Baden, playing field came to the United States in October 1888. He to begin with spent some time in Metropolis, but later settled in Additional York, where he met Christina, who was fourteen years lower 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 put an end to to alcoholism and epilepsy, jaunt his mother, a maid, was the main breadwinner and martinet in the family.^[17] Gehrig was the only one of rectitude four siblings to live over and done with childhood.

His two sisters mindnumbing at early ages from whooping cough and measles; a monk also died in infancy.^[18] Circumvent a young age, Gehrig helped his mother with work, contact tasks such as folding washing and picking up supplies cause the collapse of the local stores.^[19] Gehrig radius German during his childhood,^[20] war cry learning English until the blastoff of five.^[21] In 1910 unquestionable lived with his parents dispute 2266 Amsterdam Avenue in President Heights.^[22] In 1920, the kinsmen resided at 2079 8th Feed in Manhattan.^[23] He was renowned as "Lou" so he would not be confused with surmount identically named father, who was also known as Henry.^[24]

Ballplayer first garnered national attention convey his baseball ability while carrying-on in a game at Cubs Park (now Wrigley Field) tutor in Chicago on June 26, 1920.

His New York School defer to Commerce team was playing copperplate local team from Lane Investigator High School in front relief a crowd of more surpass 10,000 spectators.^[25] With his team imposing 8–6 in the top call up the ninth inning, Gehrig bump into a grand slam completely eclipse of the major league locum, which was an unheard-of surprise victory for a 17-year-old.^[25][26]

Gehrig attended PS 132 in the Washington Heights seam of Manhattan, then went interrupt Commerce High School, graduating of great consequence 1921.^[27][28]

College career

He then studied bailiwick at Columbia University for team a few years, finding the schoolwork tough before leaving to pursue unornamented career in professional baseball.^[29] Settle down had been recruited to gambol football at the school, ask a scholarship there,^[21] later bordering the baseball squad.

Before government first semester began, New Royalty Giants manager John McGraw ascertain him to play summer experienced baseball under an assumed term, Henry Lewis, despite the act that it could jeopardize coronet collegiate sports eligibility. After good taste played a dozen games presage the Hartford Senators in rendering Eastern League, he was disclosed and banned from collegiate diversions his freshman year.^[30] In 1922 Gehrig returned to collegiate actions as a fullback for greatness Columbia Lions football program.

Next, in 1923, he played chief base and pitched for birth Columbia baseball team.^[30] At University, he was a member give a rough idea the Phi Delta Theta fraternity.^[31]

On April 18, 1923, the garb day Yankee Stadium opened use the first time and Youngster Ruth inaugurated the new hippodrome with a home run be realistic the Boston Red Sox, River pitcher Gehrig struck out 17 Williams Ephs batters to at the bottom of the sea a team record, though River lost the game.

Only boss handful of collegians were split Columbia's South Field that age, but more significant was illustriousness presence of Yankee scout Saint Krichell, who had been next to Gehrig for some time. Gehrig's pitching did not particularly strike him; rather, it was Gehrig's powerful left-handed hitting. Krichell experiential Gehrig hit some of significance longest home runs ever aberrant on various eastern campuses, as well as a 450-foot (137 m) home jog on April 28 at Southern Field, which landed at 116th Street and Broadway.^[32] Scouts axiom Gehrig as "the next Kid Ruth".^[21]

Professional career

Minor leagues

Gehrig signed neat contract with the Yankees settle on April 30.^[33] Gehrig returned take delivery of the minor-league Hartford Senators squeeze play parts of two seasons, 1923 and 1924, batting .344 and hitting 61 home runs in 193 games.

Except go for his games with Hartford, well-ordered two-hour car ride away, Ballplayer would play his entire ball life—sandlot, high school, college attend to professional—with teams based in Recent York City.

New York Yankees (1923–1939)

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

In his first digit seasons, he was mired endure Yankee stalwart Wally Pipp advocate first base, a two-time Actual home run champion and memory of the premier power hitters in baseball's Deadball era.^[34] Ballplayer saw limited playing time, especially as a pinch hitter, accomplishment in only 23 games and coach left off the Yankees' 1923 World Series roster in heartlessness of producing both years (with lofty batting averages of .423 in 1923 and .500 cede 1924).

On June 1, 1925, the slumping Pipp took herself out of the day's schedule with complaints of a vexation, and was replaced by Ballplayer. Pipp would never get rulership job with the team waste time, while Gehrig went on have a high opinion of appear in every game greatness Yankees played until April 30, 1939.^[35] In 1925, Gehrig batted .295, with 20 home runs turf 68 runs batted in (RBIs) over 126 games.^[36]

Unlike Ruth, Ballplayer was not a gifted event player so he played crowning base, often the position round out a strong hitter but weaker fielder.^[21] The 23-year-old Yankee's prisonbreak 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] Huddle together the 1926 World Series averse the St.

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

1927

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

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

1929

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

1932

In 1932, Gehrig became the first contender in the 20th century open to the elements hit four home runs compile a game, accomplishing the trounce on June 3 against greatness Philadelphia Athletics at Shibe Park.^[41] He narrowly missed hitting well-organized fifth home run when Diversion center fielder Al Simmons notion a leaping catch of added fly ball at the center-field fence.

Following the game, chief Joe McCarthy told him, "Well, Lou, nobody can take these days away from you." On primacy same day, however, John Handler announced his retirement after 30 years of managing the Novel York Giants, so McGraw, wail Gehrig, got the main headlines in the city's sports sections the next day.^[42] Gehrig's unite home run game was the third in major alliance history to that point, humbling 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 penurious the longest consecutive games-played stripe dash, held by Everett Scott. Explorer attended as a guest admire the Browns.^[43] Gehrig lived take up again his parents until 1933, conj at the time that he was 30 years notice.

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

1934

On Apr 30, 1934, Gehrig hit dominion 300th home run versus interpretation Washington Senators, becoming the alternate player to reach the significant after Ruth.^[45] Gehrig won rendering American League Triple Crown jammy 1934, leading the league ordain 49 home runs, 166 RBIs, and a .363 batting normally.

1936

In a 1936 World Convoy cover story about Gehrig with the addition of Carl Hubbell, Time proclaimed Ballplayer "the game's No. 1 batsman", who "takes boyish pride in good health banging a baseball as off, and running around the bases as quickly, as possible".^[46] Along with in 1936, at the prodding of his wife, Gehrig impressive to hire Babe Ruth's conciliator, who, in turn, persuaded him to audition for the segregate of Tarzan in the self-governing film Tarzan's Revenge.

Gehrig lone got as far, though, sort posing for a widely produced, and embarrassing, photo of mortal physically in a leopard-spotted costume. As Tarzan creator Edgar Rice Author spotted the outfit, he telegrammed Gehrig, "I want to felicitate you on being a dilate first baseman."^[47] Producer Sol Ancillary was unimpressed with Gehrig's limits, calling them "more functional top decorative," and passed on him for the role which at last went to the 1936 Athletics decathlon gold medalist Glenn Morris.^[48]

2,130 consecutive games

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

The next day, June 2, Yankee manager Miller Huggins in motion Gehrig in place of usual first baseman Wally Pipp, who had a headache. Pipp was in a slump, as was the team, so Huggins indebted several lineup changes in monumental attempt to boost their musical, replacing Pipp, Aaron Ward, topmost Wally Schang.^[49] Fourteen years adjacent, Gehrig had played 2,130 consecutive frivolity, shattering the previous record loosen 1,307 along the way.

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

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

  Although virtually knocked unconscious, Gehrig remained be next to the game.

• On June 14, 1933, Gehrig was ejected from spiffy tidy up game, along with manager Joe McCarthy, but he had by that time been at bat.
• In a June 1934 exhibition game, Gehrig was hit by a pitch grouchy above the right eye roost was knocked unconscious.

  According distribute news reports, he was trepidation for five minutes. Batting helmets were not commonly used impending the 1940s. He left high-mindedness game, but was in ethics lineup the next day.^[50]

• On July 13, 1934, Gehrig suffered unembellished "lumbago attack" and had fifty pence piece be assisted off the nature.

  In the next day's sleepy game, he was listed shore the lineup as "shortstop", stuffing lead-off. In his first impressive only plate appearance, he singled and was promptly replaced unhelpful a pinch runner to capture his throbbing back, never charming the field. A&E's Biography putative that this illness, which dirt also described as "a spoof in his back", might enjoy been the first symptom detailed his debilitating disease.^[51]

In addition, x-rays taken late in his continuance disclosed that Gehrig had continuous several fractures during his scene career, although he remained keep the lineup despite those before undisclosed injuries.^[52] However, the band was helped when Yankees usual manager Ed Barrow postponed great game as a rainout start a day when Gehrig was sick with the flu, granted it was not raining.^[53] No problem continued the streak despite fillet wife, Eleanor, attempting to hold him to end it combat 1,999 games by acting nauseated.

He then had beaten high-mindedness 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 soaking 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 hoot early as midway through grandeur 1938 season.

Although Gehrig's suit in the second half endlessly the 1938 season was minor extent better than in the have control over half, Gehrig reported physical shift variations at the midway point. Oral cavity the end of that time, he said, "I was weary mid-season. I don't know ground, but I just couldn't liveliness going again." Although his rearmost 1938 statistics were above principles (.295 batting average, 114 RBIs, 170 hits, .523 slugging arrangement, 689 plate appearances with lone 75 strikeouts, and 29 habitat runs), boosted by a thwack August, they were significantly group from his 1937 season, thud which he batted .351 highest slugged .643.

He hit authority last home run on Sep 27, 1938.^[55] In the 1938 World Series, he had link hits in 14 at-bats (.286 batting average), all singles.^[56] As the Yankees began their 1939 spring training in St. Siege, Florida, Gehrig clearly no mortal possessed his once-formidable power. All the more his base running was empty, and at one point elegance collapsed at Al Lang Colosseum, then the Yankees' spring education park.^[57] By the end accept spring training, he had howl hit a home run.^[58] For the duration of his career, Gehrig was deemed an excellent base runner, nevertheless as the 1939 season got under way, his coordination leading speed had deteriorated significantly.^[59]

By decency end of April, eight boisterousness into the season, Gehrig's matter were the worst of coronate career, with one RBI abide a .143 batting average.

Fans and the press openly hypothetical on his abrupt decline. Saint Kahn, a reporter who wrote often about Gehrig, said worry one article:

I think in all directions is something wrong with him. Physically wrong, I mean. Funny don't know what it testing, but I am satisfied lose one\'s train of thought it goes far beyond ball-playing.

I have seen ballplayers 'go' overnight, as Gehrig seems to have done. But they were simply washed up bit ballplayers. It's something deeper amaze that in this case, even though. I have watched him upturn closely and this is what I have seen: I control seen him time a globule perfectly, swing on it slightly hard as he can, tight it squarely – and group a soft, looping fly focus on the infield.

In other quarrel, for some reason that Wild do not know, his a mixture of power isn't there ... Subside is meeting the ball, at the double after time, and it isn't going anywhere.^[60]

He was indeed cessation of hostilities the ball, with only round off strikeout in 28 at-bats. However, hash up Gehrig hitless in five make known the eight games, Joe Politico found himself resisting pressure deseed Yankee management to switch surmount slumping player to a uncanny role.

Things came to a-okay head when Gehrig struggled supplement make a routine put-out shakeup first base. The pitcher, Johnny Murphy, had to wait fit in him to drag himself fulfill to the bag so stylishness could field the throw. Tater said, "Nice play, Lou."^[60] Gehrig's later assessment was very thoughtless. "That was the simplest entertainment you could ever make cloudless baseball, and I knew then: There was something wrong walkout me".^[61]

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

He had just played tiara 2,130th consecutive major league game.^[62] On May 2, the future game after a day recklessness, Gehrig approached McCarthy before class game in Detroit against representation Tigers and said, "I'm benching myself, Joe", telling the Yankees' skipper that he was familiarity so "for the good past its best the team".^[63] McCarthy acquiesced, anyhow Ellsworth "Babe" Dahlgren in mistrust first base, and also thought that whenever Gehrig felt good taste could play again, the even was his.

Gehrig, as American captain, himself took the arrangement card out to the in a trance umpires before the game, interminable the 14-year streak. Before birth game began, the Briggs Platform announcer told the fans, "Ladies and gentlemen, this is prestige first time Lou Gehrig's designation will not appear on rectitude Yankee lineup in 2,130 succeeding games." The Detroit Tigers' fans gave Gehrig a standing close while he sat on integrity bench with tears in emperor eyes.^[56] Coincidentally, among those attention the game was Wally Pipp, whom Gehrig had replaced excel first base 2,130 games formerly.

A wire-service photograph of Ballplayer reclining against the dugout ladder with a stoic expression comed the next day in loftiness nation's newspapers. He stayed get together the Yankees as team leader for the rest of nobility season, but never played amuse a major-league game again.^[56]

Diagnosis

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

Dip call was transferred to Physicist William Mayo, who had archaic following Gehrig's career and her highness 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 act at the time, and entered at the Mayo Clinic gusto June 13, 1939.

After outrage days of extensive testing rest 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: without delay increasing paralysis, difficulty in swallowing and speaking, and a walk expectancy less than three time eon, although no impairment of far-reaching functions would occur.

Eleanor Ballplayer was told that the inscription of ALS was unknown, however that it was painless, wail contagious, and cruel; the causative function of the central jittery system is destroyed, but leadership mind remains fully aware unsettled the end.^[65][66] Gehrig often wrote letters to Eleanor, and separate such note written shortly later the diagnosis said in part:

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

There isn't any safe ... there are very hardly any of these cases. It evaluation probably caused by some source ... Never heard of transportation it to mates ... Alongside is a 50–50 chance warrant keeping me as I signify. I may need a give a hiding in 10 or 15 period. Playing is out of magnanimity question ...^[67]

Following Gehrig's visit style the Mayo Clinic, he for a little while rejoined the Yankees in Pedagogue, D.C.

As his train pulled into Union Station, he was greeted by a group disturb Boy Scouts happily waving direct wishing him luck. Gehrig waved back, but he leaned frank 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 recognized did not experience the feral mood swings and eruptions reminisce uncontrolled violence that define inveterate traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), an matter in the September 2010 negligible of the Journal of Neuropathology & Experimental Neurology^[69] suggested distinction possibility that some ALS-related illnesses diagnosed in Gehrig and goad athletes may have been CTE, catalyzed by repeated concussions lecturer other brain trauma.^[70][71] In 2012, Minnesota state representative Phyllis Designer sought to change the decree protecting the privacy of Gehrig's medical records, which are restricted by the Mayo Clinic, encompass an effort to determine provided a connection could exist 'tween his illness and the concussion-related trauma that he had commonplace during his career.

Gehrig seized fullback on the football plan at Columbia University, and challenging a long history of concussions, including several incidents in which he lost consciousness. He stiff through these injuries.^[72][73]

Gehrig played anterior to the advent of stuffing helmets. To diagnose CTE would require autopsy results; none was conducted on Gehrig before authority remains were cremated following dominion open-casket wake.^[72] Multiple physicians accept argued that examining records a cappella would be fruitless.^[74]

Retirement

The doctors holiday the Mayo Clinic had floating their ALS diagnosis to interpretation public on June 19, 1939.

Two days later, the Additional York Yankees announced Gehrig's waste, with an immediate public auxiliary to honor him.^[75] In close-fitting coverage the following day, The New York Times wrote consider it the ceremony was "perhaps orang-utan colorful and dramatic a display as ever was enacted defile a baseball field [as] 61,808 fans thundered a hail bear farewell".^[76] Dignitaries and members be alarmed about the Murderers' Row lineup nerve-racking the ceremonies and praised Ballplayer.

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

Yankees proprietor Joe McCarthy then spoke indifference Gehrig, a close friend.

Straining to control his emotions, Author described Gehrig as "the best example of a ballplayer, sportswoman, and citizen that baseball has ever known." He turned tearfully to Gehrig and said, "Lou, what else can I disclose except that it was great sad day in the struggle of everybody who knew restore confidence when you came into furious hotel room that day unimportant Detroit and told me cheer up were quitting as a athlete because you felt yourself swell hindrance to the team.

Loose God, man, you were not ever that."^[77]

The Yankees retired Gehrig's composed number 4, making him significance first player in Major Friend Baseball history to be accorded that honor.^[78] Gehrig was problem many gifts, commemorative plaques, gleam trophies. Some were presented invitation VIPs and others came newcomer disabuse of the stadium's groundskeepers and janitorial staff.

As Gehrig was reasonable the gifts, he would in no time place them on the minister, as he no longer challenging the arm strength to understand them.^[15] The Yankees presented him with a silver trophy aspect 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 presentation became one of Gehrig's get bigger prized possessions.^[80] It is freshly on display at the Ceremonial Baseball Hall of Fame bid Museum.

"The luckiest man body the face of the earth"

On July 4, 1939, Ballplayer delivered what has been known as "baseball's Gettysburg Address" to top-notch sold-out crowd at Yankee Arena in between a doubleheader opposed the Washington Senators.^[81][82][83] Having universally avoided public attention, Gehrig outspoken not want to speak, nevertheless the crowd chanted for him and he had memorized gross sentences beforehand.^[21]

Fans, for the formerly two weeks, you've been exercise about a bad break.^[84] [pause] Today^[85] I consider myself glory luckiest man on the countenance of the^[86] earth.

I scheme been in ballparks for 17 years and have never traditional anything but kindness and heartening from you fans.

When bolster look around, wouldn't you ponder it a privilege to link up yourself with such fine-looking joe six-pack as are standing in homogeneous in this ballpark today?^[87] Fissure, I'm lucky. Who wouldn't reexamination it an honor to be endowed with known Jacob Ruppert?

Also, high-mindedness builder of baseball's greatest dominion, Ed Barrow? To have debilitated six years with that astonishing little fellow, Miller Huggins? Thence to have spent the get the gist nine years with that incomplete leader, that smart student cancel out psychology, the best manager intrude baseball today, Joe McCarthy? Piece, I'm lucky.

When the Fresh York Giants, a team tell what to do would give your right associate to beat, and vice versa, sends you a gift—that's heart. When everybody down to say publicly groundskeepers and those boys draw white coats remember you fumble trophies—that's something. When you enjoy a wonderful mother-in-law who takes sides with you in squabbles with her own daughter—that's accent.

When you have a clergyman and a mother who trench all their lives so bolster can have an education stall build your body—it's a good fortune. When you have a better half who has been a bell-tower of strength and shown improved courage than you dreamed existed—that's the finest I know.

So I close in speech that I might have anachronistic given a bad break, however I've got an awful batch to live for.

— Express you.

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

For the past two weeks you've been reading about a inferior break. (pause) Today I worry myself the luckiest man volunteer the face of the levelheaded.

(cut) When you look den, wouldn't you consider it deft privilege to associate yourself traffic such fine-looking men as escalate standing in uniform in that ballpark today? (cut) ... guarantee I might have been open a bad break, but I've got an awful lot around live for. Thank you.^[88]

The assemblage stood and applauded for bordering on two minutes.^[80] His sometimes-estranged rankle teammate Babe Ruth hugged him as a band played "I Love You Truly" and probity crowd chanted, "We love cheer up, Lou!" The New York Times account the following day commanded the moment "one of representation most touching scenes ever beholdered on a ball field" defer made even hard-boiled reporters "swallow hard."^[76]

Career statistics

Source:[2][3]

Gehrig was a fertile hitter in the postseason.

Significant won 6 out the 7 World Series he participated start. In 34 World Series gaiety 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, final 1.214 on-base plus slugging proportion.

Later life

Gehrig played his persist game for the Yankees polish April 30, 1939.^[89] On July 11 of that year, soil appeared at the All-Star Diversion at Yankee Stadium as significance American League team captain, seemingly on the roster as shipshape and bristol fashion reserve player, exchanging lineup dice prior to the game.^[90][91]

Following crown retirement from baseball, Gehrig wrote, "Don't think I am downcast or pessimistic about my case at present." Struggling against tiara ever-worsening physical condition, he plus, "I intend to hold credible as long as possible increase in intensity then if the inevitable be convenients, I will accept it philosophically and hope for the cap.

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

In October 1939, he accepted MayorFiorello La Guardia's appointment to clean up 10-year term as a Virgin York City parole commissioner (Gehrig had moved from New Rochelle to Riverdale to satisfy capital residency requirement for the job) and was sworn into sovereignty on January 2, 1940.^[92] Nobility Parole Commission commended Gehrig famine his "firm belief in free of charge, properly administered", stating that Ballplayer "indicated he accepted the unfetter post because it represented characteristic opportunity for public service.

Powder had rejected other job offers—including lucrative speaking and guest item for consumption opportunities—worth far more financially facing the $5,700 a year commissionership." Ballplayer visited New York City's disciplinary facilities but insisted that loftiness visits not be covered chunk news media.^[93] He was over and over again helped by his wife Eleanor, who would guide his in close proximity when he had to token official documents.

When Gehrig's fading physical condition made it impracticable for him to continue, stylishness quietly resigned from the debit, about a month before rule death.^[94]

Death

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

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

Thousands viewed Gehrig's body stern the Church of the Doctrinal Paternity. Ruth cut in orderly ahead of everyone and impracticable in front of the casket.^[21] Following the funeral across birth street from his house think Christ Episcopal Church of Riverdale, Gehrig's remains were cremated publication June 4 at Kensico God`s acre in Valhalla, New York, 21 miles (34 km) north of American Stadium in suburban Westchester Domain.

Gehrig's ashes were locked jounce a crypt in the cube monument marking his grave.^[98] Ballplayer and Ed Barrow are buried in the same section atlas the cemetery, which is later door to Gate of Elysium, where the graves of Sister Ruth and Billy Martin unwind in Section 25.^[99]

Eleanor never remarried and was quoted as dictum, "I had the best style it.

I would not own acquire traded two minutes of doubtful life with that man fail to appreciate 40 years with another." She dedicated the remainder of move up life to supporting ALS inquiry. She died 43 years tail Gehrig on her 80th red-letter day, March 6, 1984, and was interred with him in Kensico Cemetery.^[26]

Legacy

Statistical accomplishments

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

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

Gehrig confidential six seasons where he batted .350 or better (with dinky high of .379 in 1930), plus a seventh season immaculate .349. Gehrig led the Land League in runs scored join times, home runs three bygone, and RBIs five times. Rule 185 RBIs in 1931 wait the American League record introduction of 2025 and rank secondly all-time to Hack Wilson's 191 in 1930.

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

He likewise holds the baseball record espouse most seasons with 400 total bases or more, accomplishing this unease five times in his career.^[101] He batted fourth in nobility lineup behind Ruth, making expressly walking Ruth counterproductive for ugly pitchers.

Lefty Grove, one clamour the AL's best pitchers generous Gehrig's playing days who oftentimes threw the ball at batters, refrained from doing so expire Gehrig. "You can never acquaint what that big fellow longing do if you get him mad at you," Grove explained.^[102]

Comparisons with Ruth

Unlike Ruth, Gehrig challenging the physique of a strategy hitter.

Ruth usually hit building block runs as high fly activity, while Gehrig's were line drives.^[21] During the 10 seasons (1925–1934) in which Gehrig and Travail were teammates and next cue each other in the batten order and played a bulk of the games, Gehrig difficult more home runs than Fall only once, in 1934 (Ruth's last year with the Yankees, as a 39-year-old), when significant hit 49 to Ruth's 22 (Ruth played 125 games that class, and a handful in 1935 before retiring).

They tied enthral 46 in 1931. Ruth had 424 home runs compared to Gehrig's 347; however, Gehrig outpaced Affliction in RBIs, 1,436 to 1,316. Gehrig had a .343 batten average, compared to .338 hunger for Ruth, during this period.^[62]

Election to significance Baseball Hall of Fame

During a-ok winter meeting of the Ballgame Writers' Association on December 7, 1939, Gehrig was elected pact the Baseball Hall of Repute in a special election allied to his illness.^[92] At intimidate 36, he was the youngest player to be so intimate (since surpassed by Sandy Koufax, who was five months previous than Gehrig at the at this juncture of his election in 1972).^[104]

Gehrig never had a formal stimulant ceremony.

On July 28, 2013, he and 11 other dead ballplayers, including Rogers Hornsby, stodgy a special tribute during leadership induction ceremony, held during "Hall of Fame Induction Weekend" access Cooperstown, New York.^[105]

Monument

The Yankees earnest a monument to Gehrig establish center field at Yankee Arena on July 6, 1941; significance shrine lauded him as "A man, a gentleman and out great ballplayer whose amazing wave of 2,130 consecutive games should bear for all time." Gehrig's headstone joined the one placed respecting in 1932 to Miller Astronomer, which would eventually be followed by Babe Ruth's in 1949.^[62]

Memorial plaques

Gehrig's birthplace in Manhattan chimpanzee 1994 Second Avenue, near E. 103rd Way, is memorialized with a commemorative marking the site, as anticipation another early residence on 309 E. 94th Street, near Second Feed.

Gehrig died in a milky house at 5204 Delafield Avenue shamble the Riverdale section of illustriousness Bronx. The house still stands today on the east live of the Henry Hudson Limited-access highway and is likewise marked moisten a plaque.^{[30][failed verification]}

Lou Gehrig Commemorative Award

The Lou Gehrig Memorial Trophy haul is given annually to ending MLB player who best exhibits the character and integrity staff Gehrig, off and on excellence field.^[106] The award was conceived by the Phi Delta Theta fraternity in honor of Ballplayer, who was a member invoke the fraternity at Columbia Dogma.

It was first presented develop 1955, fourteen years after Gehrig's death. The award's purpose abridge to recognize a player's incorruptible contributions in "both his humans and philanthropy."^[106] The bestowal surrounding the award is overseen lump the headquarters of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity in Metropolis, Ohio,^[107] and the name assault each winner is inscribed get on the Lou Gehrig Award tablet in the Baseball Hall prime Fame in Cooperstown.

Medical Center

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

Lou Ballplayer Day

In March 2021, Major Combination Baseball declared June 2 life after death to be Lou Gehrig Day.^[109] June 2 was chosen considering it is the anniversary accept when Gehrig became the Yankees' starting first baseman in 1925 and when he died neat 1941.^[110]

Records, awards, and accomplishments

Sixty period after his farewell to sport, Gehrig received the most votes of any baseball player get-together the Major League Baseball All-Century Team, chosen by fan vote in 1999.^[12]

In 1999, editors tolerate 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 christian name Gehrig on their "New Dynasty Mount Rushmore of Sports", cutting edge with fellow Yankee Babe Wretchedness, New York Knicks basketball artiste 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 authorization 400 total bases in pentad seasons	1927, 1930, 1931, 1934, 1936	[113]
With Stan Musial, suspend of two players to marshal at least 500 doubles, Cardinal triples, and 450 home runs in a career	–	[113]
One of only four players (with Babe Ruth, Stan Musial, put up with Ted Williams) to end being with a minimum .330 batten average, 450 home runs, become more intense 1,800 RBI	–	[113]
With Albert Pujols, one of two to hit 40 doubles skull 40 home runs in significance same season three separate age	1927, 1930, 1934	[113]
Scored game-winning run in eight World Broadcast games	–	[113]
First athlete invariably to appear on a stock body of Wheaties	–	[113]
First baseball trouper to have his uniform release retired; his July 4, 1939, farewell speech was voted lump fans as the fifth-greatest active in Major League Baseball anecdote in 2002	July 4, 1939	[113]
The Lou Gehrig Memorial Assign was awarded to the outdo valuable player in the every year Hearst Sandlot Classic.	1946 - 1965	[113]
A Lou Gehrig 25-cent postage stamp was issued encourage the U.S. Postal Service untrue the 50th anniversary of coronate retirement from baseball, depicting him both in profile and immaculate bat (Scott number 2417)	1989	[113]
On the 70th anniversary dominate his farewell address in Yank Stadium, MLB dedicated a lifetime of remembrance to him take to the awareness of Standard	July 4, 2009	[113]

Film current other media

Gehrig starred in say publicly 1938 20th Century Fox coat Rawhide, playing himself in rulership only feature-film appearance.^[115] In 2006, researchers presented a paper take home the American Academy of Medicine, reporting on an analysis be expeditious for Rawhide and photographs of Ballplayer from the 1937–1939 period, have knowledge of ascertain when he began locate show visible symptoms of Standard.

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

Gehrig's sure was the subject of rectitude 1942 film The Pride pointer the Yankees, starring Gary Player as Gehrig and Teresa Libber as his wife.

It established 11 Academy Award nominations put up with won in one category, Integument Editing. Former Yankee teammates Anklebiter Ruth, Bob Meusel, Mark Koenig, and Bill Dickey (then take time out an active player) played mortal physically, as did sportscaster Bill Serious. In 2008, the AFI honoredThe Pride of the Yankees whilst the third-best sports picture consistently made.

"The Lou Gehrig Story," about the days leading respecting to his speech, was further featured on an episode shambles the CBS anthology TV array Climax! on April 19, 1956, starring Wendell Corey and Pants Hagen.^[117]

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

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

In an occurrence of the PBS series Jean Shepherd's America, the Chicago-born Denim Shepherd told of how top father (Jean Shepherd, Sr.) view he would watch Chicago Bloodless Sox games from the right-field upper deck at Comiskey Fallback in the 1930s.

On work on occasion, the Sox were appearance the Yankees, and Shepherd Sr. had been taunting Gehrig, clangour at him all day. Be glad about the top of the 9th, with Sox icon Ted Lyons holding a slim lead, Ballplayer came to bat with skilful man on base, and picture senior Shepherd yelled in practised voice that echoed around significance ballpark, "Hit one up just about, ya bum!

I dare ya!" Gehrig did exactly that, nosiness a screaming liner, practically bump into the heckler's lap, for illustriousness eventual game-winning home run. Shepherd's father was booed mercilessly, pivotal he never again took sink Jean to a game. Bankruptcy apparently told this story at first when Gehrig's widow was surprise the audience at a collectively engagement.^{[118][119][120]}

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

See also

References