Gehrig, Lou (1903-1941), was one of the greatest players in baseball history. He played in 2,130 consecutive games from 1925 to 1939 for the New York Yankees. This total was a major league record for 56 years, until Cal Ripken, Jr., of the Baltimore Orioles broke it in 1995.
Gehrig was born on June 19, 1903, in New York City. His full name was Henry Louis Gehrig. He played his entire major league career—from 1923 to 1939—for the Yankees. Gehrig, a first baseman, had a career batting average of .340. He hit 493 home runs with 40 or more in five seasons. He also hit 23 grand slam home runs, a major league record until 2013, when it was broken by Alex Rodriguez. Gehrig won the triple crown of batting in 1934. That year, he led the American League in batting average (.363), home runs (49), and runs batted in (165). But these achievements were overshadowed by those of teammate Babe Ruth. In 1927, when Ruth hit 60 home runs, Gehrig hit 47. Gehrig is tied with Jimmie Foxx for batting in 100 or more runs for 13 straight seasons. In 1931, Gehrig drove in 184 runs, an American League record.
Illness forced Gehrig to retire in 1939. He was suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a rare and incurable nerve disease now often called Lou Gehrig’s disease. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1939. He died on June 2, 1941.
See also New York Yankees .
