American · Manhattan · Born 19 June 1903 · Died 1941-06-02Lou Gehrig was a dominant Yankees first baseman whose consecutive-games streak and career cut short by ALS made him a baseball icon.
Henry Louis Gehrig was born on June 19, 1903, in Manhattan, New York, to German immigrant parents, and starred at Columbia University before signing with the New York Yankees in 1923. He debuted that year and went on to become one of the most feared hitters and durable players in baseball history, forming the heart of the legendary "Murderers' Row" lineup alongside Babe Ruth. Nicknamed "The Iron Horse" for his remarkable durability, Gehrig played in 2,130 consecutive games from 1925 to 1939, a record that stood for 56 years until broken by Cal Ripken Jr. He won two American League MVP awards, the 1934 Triple Crown, and helped the Yankees win six World Series championships, finishing his career with a .340 batting average, 493 home runs, and 1,995 RBIs. Gehrig's playing streak ended abruptly in 1939 when he benched himself after his performance dramatically declined, later diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a fatal degenerative disease now commonly known in the United States as "Lou Gehrig's disease." On July 4, 1939, at Yankee Stadium, Gehrig delivered his famous "Luckiest Man" retirement speech in front of a packed crowd, declaring, despite his terminal diagnosis, that he considered himself the luckiest man on the face of the earth. The Baseball Hall of Fame waived its waiting period to elect Gehrig by special vote in 1939, immediately following his retirement. He died on June 2, 1941, at just 37 years old, less than two years after his diagnosis, and remains one of the most poignant and celebrated figures in American sports history.
'The Iron Horse', Yankees first baseman, played 2,130 consecutive games
His farewell speech at Yankee Stadium — delivered while dying from ALS — is considered the most moving moment in the history of American sport.
Did You Know?How They Played
Power hitter, exceptional fielder, team leader
Lasting Impact
The Iron Horse - symbol of durability and courage
Career Honours
- 6x World Series champion
- 2x AL MVP
- Triple Crown 1934
- Hall of Fame 1939
| Team | Period | Games |
|---|---|---|
| New York Yankees | 1923–1939 | 2164 |
American Athletes