Career Timeline of Lou Gehrig: Major Achievements and Milestones

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 14, 2026

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Lou Gehrig made an impact.

Lou Gehrig, nicknamed "The Iron Horse," was a legendary New York Yankees first baseman, playing 17 seasons in MLB. Known for his exceptional hitting and durability, he was a seven-time All-Star, one-time Triple Crown winner, and two-time AL MVP. Gehrig contributed to six World Series championships and maintained impressive career stats, including a .340 batting average and 493 home runs. Famously, he played in 2,130 consecutive games, a record unbroken for decades. His career was tragically cut short by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), now often called Lou Gehrig's disease. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1939, and his number 4 was the first ever retired by the Yankees.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

June 26, 1920: Grand Slam at Cubs Park

On June 26, 1920, Lou Gehrig garnered national attention by hitting a grand slam completely out of Cubs Park (now Wrigley Field) while playing for Commerce High School.

1922: Played Football for Columbia

In 1922, Lou Gehrig returned to collegiate sports as a fullback for the Columbia Lions football team.

April 18, 1923: Sets Columbia Strikeout Record

On April 18, 1923, Lou Gehrig struck out 17 Williams Ephs batters as a Columbia pitcher, setting a team record. On the same day, scout Paul Krichell observed Gehrig's powerful hitting.

April 29, 1923: Signed with Yankees

On April 29, 1923, Lou Gehrig signed with the New York Yankees.

June 15, 1923: Major League Debut

On June 15, 1923, Lou Gehrig made his major-league debut as a pinch hitter for the New York Yankees at the age of 19.

1923: Played baseball for Columbia

In 1923, Lou Gehrig played first base and pitched for the Columbia baseball team.

1923: Returns to Hartford Senators

In 1923, after signing with the Yankees, Lou Gehrig returned to the minor league Hartford Senators to play part of the season.

1924: Plays for Hartford Senators

In 1924, Lou Gehrig played for the minor league Hartford Senators.

1924: Limited Playing Time

In 1924, Lou Gehrig saw limited playing time, mostly as a pinch hitter.

June 1, 1925: Replaces Wally Pipp

On June 1, 1925, Lou Gehrig replaced Wally Pipp at first base after Pipp took himself out of the lineup due to a headache, marking the beginning of Gehrig's consecutive game streak.

1926: Breakout Season

In 1926, Lou Gehrig had a breakout season batting .313 with 47 doubles, an AL-leading 20 triples, 16 home runs, and 112 RBIs. He also played in the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.

1927: Greatest Seasons

In 1927, Lou Gehrig had one of his greatest seasons, hitting .373 with 47 home runs and 175 RBIs, helping the Yankees to a 110-44 record and a World Series victory.

1927: AL MVP

In 1927, Lou Gehrig was named the American League MVP. His accomplishments were overshadowed by Babe Ruth's record-breaking sixty home runs.

1929: Wore number 4

In 1929, when the Yankees debuted wearing numbers on their uniforms, Lou Gehrig wore number 4 because he hit behind Babe Ruth.

1932: Four Home Runs in a Game

In 1932, Lou Gehrig became the first player in the 20th century to hit four home runs in a game, accomplishing the feat on June 3 against the Philadelphia Athletics. However, John McGraw's retirement announcement got the main headlines.

August 17, 1933: Breaks Consecutive Games Streak

On August 17, 1933, Lou Gehrig played in his 1,308th consecutive game, surpassing Everett Scott's record for the longest consecutive games played streak.

April 30, 1934: Wins Triple Crown

In 1934, Lou Gehrig won the AL Triple Crown, leading the league with 49 home runs, 166 RBIs and a .363 batting average.

April 30, 1934: 300th Home Run

On April 30, 1934, Lou Gehrig hit his 300th home run against the Washington Senators, becoming the second player to reach the milestone after Babe Ruth.

January 1938: Gehrig starred in 'Rawhide'

In January 1938, Lou Gehrig starred in the 20th Century Fox film "Rawhide", his only feature-film appearance, playing himself.

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September 7, 1938: Gehrig stole his last two bases

On September 7, 1938, Lou Gehrig stole the last two bases of his career.

September 27, 1938: Gehrig's last extra-base hit

On September 27, 1938, Lou Gehrig had his last extra-base hit, which was a home run.

April 30, 1939: End of Consecutive Game Streak

Lou Gehrig appeared in every game for the Yankees until April 30, 1939.

May 2, 1939: Consecutive Game Streak Ends

On May 2, 1939, Lou Gehrig voluntarily took himself out of the Yankees' lineup, ending his consecutive game streak at 2,130 due to an undiagnosed ailment, later confirmed to be ALS.

July 4, 1939: Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day

On July 4, 1939, Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day was held at Yankee Stadium, where he delivered his famous "luckiest man on the face of the earth" speech.

October 1939: Gehrig appointed as NYC parole commissioner

In October 1939, Lou Gehrig accepted Mayor Fiorello La Guardia's appointment to a ten-year term as a New York City parole commissioner.

1939: Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame

In 1939, Lou Gehrig was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame and had his uniform number 4 retired by the New York Yankees, becoming the first MLB player to receive this honor.