Lou Gehrig facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lou Gehrig
Gehrig with the New York Yankees in 1923
First baseman
Born: (1903-06-19)June 19, 1903 Manhattan, New York, U.S.
Died: June 2, 1941(1941-06-02) (aged 37) The Bronx, New York, U.S.
Batted: Left Threw: Left
debut
June 15, 1923, for the New York Yankees
Last appearance
April 30, 1939, for the New York Yankees
MLB statistics
Batting average	.340
Hits	2,721
Home runs	493
Runs batted in	1,995
Teams
New York Yankees (1923–1939)
Career highlights and awards
7× All-Star (1933–1939) 6× World Series champion (1927, 1928, 1932, 1936–1938) 2× AL MVP (1927, 1936) Triple Crown (1934) AL batting champion (1934) 3× AL home run leader (1931, 1934, 1936) 5× AL RBI leader (1927, 1928, 1930, 1931, 1934) Hit 4 home runs in one game on June 3, 1932 New York Yankees No. 4 retired Monument Park honoree Major League Baseball All-Century Team Major League Baseball All-Time Team
Baseball Hall of Fame
Induction	1939
Election Method	Special Election

Gehrig in 1923

Gehrig, Tris Speaker, Ty Cobb, and Babe Ruth in 1928

Gehrig and Detroit slugger Hank Greenberg in 1935

Seven of the American League's 1937 All-Star players, from left to right: Gehrig, Joe Cronin, Bill Dickey, Joe DiMaggio, Charlie Gehringer, Jimmie Foxx, and Hank Greenberg. All seven would be elected to the Hall of Fame.

The Yankee dynamic duo reunited – Gehrig and Babe Ruth at Yankee Stadium on July 4, 1939, shortly after Gehrig's retirement.

Lou and Eleanor Gehrig's headstone in Kensico Cemetery (the year of his birth was erroneously inscribed as "1905")

Lou Gehrig Way in New Rochelle, New York: Gehrig lived in a modest home at 9 Meadow Lane.

Gehrig's plaque in the National Baseball Hall of Fame

Gehrig sliding into home plate in 1925

Gehrig in the 1938 feature film Rawhide

Henry Louis Gehrig (born Heinrich Ludwig Gehrig; June 19, 1903 – June 2, 1941) was an amazing American professional baseball player. He played 17 seasons as a first baseman for the New York Yankees in Major League Baseball (MLB). Gehrig was famous for his powerful hitting and incredible strength. This earned him the nickname "the Iron Horse". Many people consider him one of the greatest baseball players ever.

Gehrig was an All-Star seven times in a row. He won the Triple Crown once. He was also named the American League (AL) Most Valuable Player twice. He helped his team win six World Series championships. Throughout his career, he had a .340 batting average. He hit 493 home runs and had 1,995 runs batted in (RBIs). He is one of only 21 players to hit four home runs in a single game.

In 1939, Gehrig was chosen for the Baseball Hall of Fame. He was the first MLB player to have his uniform number retired. The Yankees retired his number 4 to honor him. Gehrig set many major-league records. This included the most career grand slams (23). He also held the record for most consecutive games played (2,130). This record stood for 56 years. It was thought to be unbreakable until Cal Ripken Jr. broke it in 1995.

Gehrig's streak ended on May 2, 1939. He chose to stop playing because an undiagnosed illness was affecting his performance. Doctors later confirmed he had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This is a serious illness that affects muscles and movement. It is sometimes called "Lou Gehrig's disease" in the United States. Gehrig never played baseball again. He retired in 1939 at age 36.

Two weeks after his retirement, the Yankees held a special "Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day". On July 4, 1939, he gave a famous speech at Yankee Stadium. In this speech, he called himself "the luckiest man on the face of the earth". Lou Gehrig passed away two years later from complications of ALS. In 1969, baseball writers voted Gehrig the greatest first baseman of all time. Fans also chose him for the Major League Baseball All-Century Team in 1999. A monument honoring Gehrig stands in Monument Park at the new Yankee Stadium. The Lou Gehrig Memorial Award is given each year to an MLB player. This award recognizes players who show Gehrig's integrity and good character.

Lou Gehrig: The Iron Horse of Baseball

Early Life and Baseball Beginnings

Lou Gehrig was born on June 19, 1903, in New York City. He was the second of four children. His parents, Anna and Heinrich Gehrig, were immigrants from Germany. Lou was the only one of his four siblings to live past childhood. His father often struggled with health issues, making it hard to keep a steady job. His mother worked as a maid and was the main provider for the family.

From a young age, Lou helped his mother with chores. He spoke German at home and learned English when he was five. He was called "Lou" to avoid confusion with his father, who was known as Henry. Lou went to PS 132 and then Commerce High School. He graduated in 1921.

Lou first became known for his baseball skills in 1920. He played in a high school game at Cubs Park (now Wrigley Field) in Chicago. He hit a grand slam that went completely out of the park. This was an amazing feat for a 17-year-old.

College Days and Yankee Discovery

Gehrig studied engineering at Columbia University for two years. He found the schoolwork challenging. He decided to leave college to become a professional baseball player. He had received a scholarship to play football at Columbia. Later, he joined the Columbia baseball team.

Before his first semester, New York Giants manager John McGraw told Gehrig to play summer professional baseball. He played under the name Henry Lewis. This could have put his college sports eligibility at risk. After playing 12 games, he was discovered. He was then banned from college sports for his freshman year.

In 1922, Gehrig returned to college sports. He played fullback for the Columbia Lions football team. In 1923, he played first base and pitched for the Columbia baseball team. He was also a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity.

On April 18, 1923, the original Yankee Stadium opened. On that same day, Gehrig set a team record for Columbia. He struck out 17 batters in a game. New York Yankees scout Paul Krichell was watching him. Krichell was not as impressed by Gehrig's pitching. He was amazed by Gehrig's powerful left-handed hitting. Scouts saw Gehrig as "the next Babe Ruth."

Becoming a Baseball Legend

Joining the Yankees and the Streak

Gehrig signed with the Yankees on April 30, 1923. He played for the minor league Hartford Senators for parts of two seasons. He then joined the New York Yankees in the middle of the 1923 season. He made his major-league debut on June 15, 1923, at age 19.

For his first two seasons, Gehrig was a backup to Wally Pipp at first base. Pipp was a star player. Gehrig played limited games, mostly as a pinch hitter. On June 1, 1925, Pipp took himself out of the lineup due to a headache. Gehrig replaced him. Pipp never got his starting job back. Gehrig went on to play in every Yankees game until April 30, 1939.

In 1926, Gehrig had a breakout season. He batted .313 with 47 doubles and 20 triples. He also hit 16 home runs and had 112 RBIs. In the 1926 World Series, he hit .348.

In 1927, Gehrig had one of the best seasons ever for a batter. He hit .373 with 47 home runs and a record 175 RBIs. His amazing performance helped the 1927 Yankees win the World Series. This team is often called "Murderers' Row" because of their powerful hitters. Even with his great season, Gehrig was often overshadowed by Babe Ruth's record-breaking 60 home runs.

In 1929, the Yankees started wearing numbers on their uniforms. Gehrig wore number 4. This was because he batted right after Ruth, who wore number 3. In 1932, Gehrig made history. He became the first player in the 20th century to hit four home runs in a single game. This happened on June 3 against the Philadelphia Athletics.

The Unbreakable Record

On August 17, 1933, Gehrig played in his 1,308th consecutive game. This broke the previous record held by Everett Scott. Gehrig continued his streak for many more years. On April 30, 1934, he hit his 300th home run. He was only the second player to reach this milestone after Babe Ruth. In 1934, Gehrig won the AL Triple Crown. He led the league with 49 home runs, 166 RBIs, and a .363 batting average.

During his streak, sportswriters nicknamed Gehrig "the Iron Horse" in 1931. He managed to keep the streak alive even with injuries. For example, in 1933, a pitch hit him in the head. He was almost knocked out but stayed in the game. In 1934, he was hit by a pitch above his eye and lost consciousness. He left the game but was back in the lineup the next day.

Gehrig's record of 2,130 consecutive games was incredible. It stood for 56 years. Baltimore Orioles shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. broke it on September 6, 1995. Ripken finished his career with 2,632 consecutive games.

A Difficult Challenge: Gehrig's Illness

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Lou Gehrig started feeling unwell in the middle of the 1938 season. He felt tired and couldn't regain his strength. His statistics were still good, but they were lower than his usual amazing performance. He said, "I was tired mid-season. I don't know why, but I just couldn't get going again."

By the time the Yankees started spring training in 1939, Gehrig's power was gone. He couldn't hit home runs. His running and coordination also got worse. Fans and reporters noticed his sudden decline. One reporter wrote that Gehrig would hit the ball perfectly, but it would only go for a soft fly. His old power was simply not there.

On April 30, Gehrig played his 2,130th consecutive game. He didn't get any hits. On May 2, 1939, Gehrig told his manager, "I'm benching myself, Joe." He said he was doing it "for the good of the team." This ended his amazing 14-year streak. The stadium announcer told the fans the news. The fans gave Gehrig a standing ovation as he sat on the bench. He stayed with the Yankees as team captain but never played again.

As Gehrig's health worsened, his wife, Eleanor, contacted the Mayo Clinic. Doctors there had been following his career. Gehrig traveled to the clinic. After six days of tests, doctors confirmed his diagnosis on June 19, 1939. It was his 36th birthday. He had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This is a serious illness that weakens muscles and makes movement difficult. Doctors explained that his mind would remain clear, but his body would become paralyzed.

Retirement and the "Luckiest Man" Speech

Lou Gehrig's number 4 was retired by the New York Yankees in 1939.

The Mayo Clinic announced Gehrig's ALS diagnosis to the public on June 19, 1939. Two days later, the Yankees announced his retirement. There was a big public effort to honor him. On July 4, 1939, a special ceremony was held at Yankee Stadium. Over 61,000 fans came to celebrate Lou Gehrig. Important people, including New York City Mayor Fiorello La Guardia, praised Gehrig.

Yankees manager Joe McCarthy, a close friend, spoke about Gehrig. He called Lou "the finest example of a ballplayer, sportsman and citizen that baseball has ever known." The Yankees then retired Gehrig's uniform number 4. He was the first player in MLB history to receive this honor. Gehrig received many gifts and trophies. He had to place them on the ground because his arm strength was failing.

On that same day, July 4, 1939, Gehrig gave his famous "luckiest man" speech. He spoke to a sold-out crowd at Yankee Stadium. He had always avoided public attention. But the crowd cheered for him to speak. He had memorized some sentences.

He said, "Fans, for the past two weeks, you've been reading about a bad break. Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the Earth." He talked about how lucky he was to be with his teammates and managers. He also spoke about his wonderful family and fans. He ended by saying, "I might have been given a bad break, but I've got an awful lot to live for. Thank you."

The crowd cheered for almost two minutes. His former teammate, Babe Ruth, hugged him. The moment was very touching for everyone there.

Lou Gehrig's Lasting Legacy

Honoring a Hero

Lou Gehrig played his last game on April 30, 1939. After retiring, he accepted a job as a New York City parole commissioner. He started this job on January 2, 1940. He believed in public service. He visited correctional facilities but kept these visits private. He continued working until about a month before his death. His wife, Eleanor, often helped him sign documents.

Lou Gehrig passed away at his home on June 2, 1941, just before his 38th birthday. Flags in New York and at MLB ballparks were flown at half-staff. Thousands of people viewed his body. His remains were cremated on June 4. He was laid to rest at Kensico Cemetery. Eleanor never remarried. She dedicated her life to supporting ALS research. She passed away on her 80th birthday in 1984 and was buried with Lou.

The Yankees dedicated a monument to Gehrig at Yankee Stadium on July 6, 1941. It called him "A man, a gentleman and a great ballplayer." His monument joined others honoring baseball legends. Gehrig's birthplace and other early homes in Manhattan are marked with plaques.

Awards and Achievements

Gehrig was an amazing hitter in the postseason. He played in the World Series seven times and won six of them. In 34 World Series games, he batted .361. He had 10 home runs and 35 RBIs.

Despite playing alongside Babe Ruth for most of his career, Gehrig was one of baseball's best run producers. He had 509 RBIs in a three-season stretch (1930–32). He had 13 consecutive seasons with 100 or more RBIs. This is an MLB record he shares with Jimmie Foxx and Alex Rodriguez. Gehrig had six seasons where he batted .350 or better. He led the American League in runs scored four times. He led in home runs three times and RBIs five times. His 185 RBIs in 1931 are still the AL record.

In 1999, fans voted Gehrig onto the Major League Baseball All-Century Team. He received the most votes of any player. Sporting News ranked Gehrig sixth on their list of "Baseball's 100 Greatest Players" in 1999.

The Lou Gehrig Memorial Award is given every year. It honors an MLB player who shows Gehrig's character and integrity. The ALS treatment and research center at Columbia University is named "The Eleanor and Lou Gehrig ALS Center." In March 2021, Major League Baseball declared June 2 as Lou Gehrig Day. This day remembers his first start and his passing.

Film and Other Media

Lou Gehrig starred in the 1938 film Rawhide. He played himself in his only movie appearance. His life story was also told in the 1942 film The Pride of the Yankees. Gary Cooper played Gehrig, and Teresa Wright played his wife, Eleanor. This movie received 11 Academy Award nominations. Former Yankee teammates like Babe Ruth also appeared in the film.

Records, Awards, and Accomplishments

Images for kids

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  Gehrig on the Columbia baseball team, 1921

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  Gehrig on the Columbia football team, 1922

See also

In Spanish: Lou Gehrig para niños