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Lou Gehrig
Combining extraordinary power hitting with 2,130 consecutive major-league games.
League MVP · Triple Crown
- Born
- 19 June 1903
- Birthplace
- New York City, United States
- Died
- 2 June 1941
More people
Lou Gehrig
American first baseman who spent his major-league career with the New York Yankees. His career ended after the onset of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, widely called Lou Gehrig’s disease in the United States.
Early life
Immigrant household
Grew up in New York as the son of German immigrants.
Columbia athlete
Attended Columbia University and played both baseball and football.
Career
- 1923
Yankees debut
Signed with New York and began his major-league career.
- 1925
Everyday first baseman
Secured a regular place in the lineup.
- 1927–1938
Yankees mainstay
Became a central hitter in several championship teams.
- 1939
Career ends
Stopped playing as declining strength led to an ALS diagnosis.
Achievements
League MVP
Won the American League’s top player award twice.
Triple Crown
Led the American League in batting average, home runs and runs batted in.
The Iron Horse streak
Played 2,130 consecutive games, a record later surpassed by Cal Ripken Jr.
Beyond sport
Farewell speech
Addressed fans at Yankee Stadium on 4 July 1939 after his diagnosis.
Public service
Worked as a New York City parole commissioner after leaving baseball.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Sport authority — career and achievements ↗Photo: Unknown author Unknown author. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
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