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Birth of a Legend
On June 15, 1923 a promising young first baseman by the name of Henry Louis Gehrig signed a contract to play professional baseball with the New York Yankees. He recieved $1,500 for signing with the Yanks. Gehrig was a hihgly touted athlete out of high school and went to play football and baseball for Columbia University. Gehrig would go on to be one of the greatest first basemen and overall players in the history of the game, setting numerous records throughout his career.
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The "Iron Horse"
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Named AL MVP
After the 1927 regular season Lou Gehrig was presented with the first of his two American League MVP awards. He would also win this prestigious award in 1936. That season Gehrig lead the league in games played (155) and doubles (52). During the season Gehrig also belted 47 home runs and drove in an astonishing 175 runs.</a> Gehrig a career .340 hitter, 15th greatest among all hitters. -
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Record RBIs
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Record RBI's
Through three seasons Gehrig did what no other hitter has ever done in the game of baseball. Lou is the only hitter to have 509 runs batted in, in three consecutive seasons. The only other two to surpass 500 are Jimmie Foxx and Hank Greenberg. Setting the AL record for runs batted in during a single season with 184, Gehrig became the all time leader in RBI's for firstbasemen with 1,990 in his career.
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The "Iron Horse"
The Iron Horse. Not calling in sick for 14 straight seasons and playing in 2,130 consecutive games. This streak was the longest streak of consecutive games played until 1995 when Cal Ripken Jr. surpased the Iron Horse, lasting for an astonishing 56 years. -
Lou's Farewell
"I might have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for." This was a quote from Gehrig's famous farwell speech to Yankee Stadium. That day one of the greatest to ever play the game hung up his spikes.
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Number Retired
On the same day he gave his farewell speech the Bronx Bomber great had his number (4) retired by the New York Yankees. Gehrig's number was the first Yankee number to ever be retired. -
Hall of Fame
During a special induction to the Baseball Hall of Fame, Henry Louis Gehrig was forever enshrined as baseball greatness. Gehrig was one of the greatest hitters to ever play the game even though he was always overshadowed by Babe Ruth. -
A Legend Passes
At the age of 38 Lou Gehrig lost his battle with ALS. Gehrig will forever be remembered by the baseball world as one of the greatest players to ever play the game. Gehrig's life was cut tragically short by ALS.
