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One of the most durable and feared hitters of the 20s and 30s, Lou Gehrig began his professional baseball career in the New York Yankees farm system in 1923. In 1925, his first full season as a Yankee, Gehrig hit .295 with 68 RBI. It would be the start of his 2,130 consecutive game playing streak, and the last full season that he would score and drive in less than 100 runs.
While playing in Babe Ruth’s shadow for much of his career, Gehrig quietly went about his business, setting an American League record for RBI in 1931 with 184, nine more than the previous American League record, which he also held. In 1932, he became the first American League player to hit four homeruns in one game. He would finish with 493 for his career. He won two MVP awards for his solid hitting, base running, and defense at first base. His only batting title came in 1934, the year he won the league’s Triple Crown. He also holds the major league record for career grand slams with 23.
As wonderful as Gehrig’s career was, it took a sharp turn downward beginning in 1938. He never felt completely right, and was in a horrible slump. He tried to start fresh in the 1939 season, but by May 2, he’d had enough.
Gehrig took the lineup card to the home plate umpire, and for the first time in nearly 14 years, the tired first baseman’s name wasn’t on it.
Gehrig immediately went in for tests and found out that he had a hardening of his spinal cord, known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (known commonly today as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease).
Gehrig retired in a tearful ceremony at Yankee Stadium on July 4, 1939 and died on June 2, 1941. He was elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1939.
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