It’s impossible to talk about Yankees’ history without talking about Lou Gehrig.
The Yankees have had a bounty of stars over the years. Babe Ruth is one, and Lou Gehrig–the man for whom ALS is named–is another.
Hall of Fame baseball players Lou Gehrig (1903 – 1941) shakes hands with former teammate George Herman (Babe) Ruth (1895 – 1948) at the stadium, ca 1935. (Photo by Waite Hoty Collection/Cincinnati Museum Center/Getty Images, courtesy of lougehrig.com)
Lou Gehrig (nee Ludwig), was born on June 19th, 1903 in Manhattan, as the second child of four, born to a sheet metal worker and maid.
His first shot at baseball came when he played with his school’s baseball team at Wrigley Field in Chicago (formally known as Cubs Park). His team ended up winning 8-6, and Lou was spectacular in the game. He was 17 years old at the time.
In 1923, Lou signed with the Yankees and ended up playing alongside Babe Ruth. Lou was a great player, including leading the team to the 1927 World Series and becoming the first player to hit four home runs in one game (1932).
On his birthday in 1939, Gehrig was diagnosed with a life-ending illness, what we know today as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or ‘Lou Gehrig’s Disease.” He was 36 years old.
On June 21st, 1939, Gehrig retired from baseball, just two days after the diagnosis was made public. He addressed Yankee fans in what many believe to be “The Gettysburg Address” of sports.
Gehrig died two years later at the young age of 38 years.
His legacy is that of a stand-up guy, a great teammate, a brilliant baseball player, and an American hero.
