Lou Gehrig, nicknamed "The Iron Horse," was an iconic American baseball player for the New York Yankees from 1923 to 1939. Known for his exceptional hitting and remarkable endurance, he is considered one of the greatest baseball players ever. Gehrig's impressive career included seven consecutive All-Star selections, a Triple Crown award, two American League MVP titles, and six World Series championships. His career highlights include a .340 batting average, 493 home runs, and 1,995 runs batted in. Gehrig's legacy was cemented in 1939 when he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame and the Yankees retired his number 4 jersey, making him the first MLB player to receive this honor.
1900: Marriage of Gehrig's Parents
Lou Gehrig's parents, Christina Foch and Heinrich Gehrig, married in 1900.
June 19, 1903: Birth of Lou Gehrig
Lou Gehrig was born in the Yorkville neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City on June 19, 1903.
1905: Eleanor Twitchell's Birth
Eleanor Twitchell, Lou Gehrig's future wife, was born in 1905.
1910: Residence in Washington Heights
In 1910, Lou Gehrig and his parents lived at 2266 Amsterdam Avenue in Washington Heights.
June 26, 1920: Grand Slam at Cubs Park
At 17 years old, Lou Gehrig garnered national attention for hitting a grand slam out of Cubs Park (now Wrigley Field) during a game in Chicago on June 26, 1920.
1920: Residence on 8th Avenue
By 1920, Lou Gehrig's family had moved to 8th Avenue in Manhattan.
1921: Ruth's Dominance
Babe Ruth achieved a record of 119 extra-base hits in 1921, surpassing all other players including Lou Gehrig's 1927 season.
1921: Graduation from Commerce High School
Lou Gehrig graduated from Commerce High School in 1921.
1922: Return to Collegiate Sports at Columbia University
After being banned from collegiate sports for a year, Lou Gehrig returned as a fullback for Columbia University's football team in 1922.
1922: Hornsby's Impressive Season
Rogers Hornsby achieved 450 total bases in 1922, surpassing Lou Gehrig's 1927 total bases, but falling short of Babe Ruth's 1921 record.
April 18, 1923: Strikeout Record and Yankee Stadium Opening
On April 18, 1923, the same day Yankee Stadium opened, Lou Gehrig struck out 17 batters while pitching for Columbia University. This game attracted the attention of Yankee scout Paul Krichell.
April 29, 1923: Signing with the New York Yankees
Lou Gehrig signed with the New York Yankees on April 29, 1923.
June 15, 1923: Major League Debut
At the age of 19, Lou Gehrig made his major league debut as a pinch hitter for the New York Yankees on June 15, 1923.
1923: Playing Baseball for Columbia University
Lou Gehrig played first base and pitched for the Columbia University baseball team in 1923.
1923: Start of MLB Career
Lou Gehrig began his 17-season career with the New York Yankees in 1923.
1924: Early Career Struggles
Despite impressive batting averages in 1923 and 1924, Lou Gehrig struggled to secure a starting position with the Yankees, often playing as a pinch hitter.
1924: Playing for the Hartford Senators
Lou Gehrig played parts of two seasons with the minor-league Hartford Senators in 1923 and 1924.
June 1, 1925: Gehrig Replaces Pipp
On June 1, 1925, Lou Gehrig replaced Wally Pipp at first base for the Yankees, marking the start of Gehrig's consecutive games played streak.
1925: Gehrig Becomes Yankees' Starting First Baseman
In 1925, Lou Gehrig became the New York Yankees' starting first baseman, marking a significant milestone in his career. This date was later chosen as Lou Gehrig Day.
1925: Start of Gehrig and Ruth's Decade as Teammates
The year 1925 marked the beginning of a decade-long period where Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth were teammates, batting next to each other in the lineup for a majority of the games.
1926: Breakout Season
In 1926, at 23 years old, Lou Gehrig had a breakout season with the Yankees, showcasing his offensive prowess with impressive batting statistics.
1927: Overshadowed by Ruth
Despite winning the AL MVP award in 1927, Lou Gehrig's achievements were overshadowed by Babe Ruth's record-breaking 60 home runs and the overall dominance of the 1927 Yankees.
1927: Record-Breaking Season
Lou Gehrig had one of the greatest seasons in baseball history in 1927, setting a then-record for RBIs and contributing to the Yankees' World Series victory.
1929: Yankees Wear Numbers
The New York Yankees wore numbers on their uniforms for the first time in 1929. Lou Gehrig wore number 4.
1930: High Run Production
Lou Gehrig had a remarkable stretch from 1930 to 1932, driving in 509 runs, showcasing his prowess as one of baseball's most prolific run producers.
1930: High Batting Average Seasons and RBI Records
Lou Gehrig had six seasons with a batting average of .350 or higher, peaking at .379 in 1930.
1931: American League RBI Record
In 1931, Gehrig set the still-standing American League record for RBIs in a single season with an impressive 185.
1931: Gehrig and Ruth Tie in Home Runs
In 1931, Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth tied with 46 home runs each.
1931: "The Iron Horse"
Lou Gehrig was nicknamed "The Iron Horse" by sportswriters in 1931 for his incredible durability and consecutive games played streak.
1932: Meeting Eleanor
Lou Gehrig met Eleanor Twitchell in 1932.
1932: Four Home Runs in a Game
On June 3, 1932, Lou Gehrig became the first player in the 20th century to hit four home runs in a game.
August 17, 1933: Consecutive Games Record Broken
Lou Gehrig broke Everett Scott's record for the longest consecutive games-played streak on August 17, 1933.
April 30, 1934: 300th Home Run
Lou Gehrig hit his 300th home run on April 30, 1934, against the Washington Senators.
1934: Gehrig Out-Homers Ruth
In 1934, Lou Gehrig hit more home runs (49) than Babe Ruth (22) for the only time during their ten seasons as teammates.
1936: Gehrig Almost Tarzan
In 1936, Lou Gehrig auditioned for the role of Tarzan in the film "Tarzan's Revenge" at the urging of his wife. He did not get the role.
1937: Early Signs of Gehrig's ALS Possibly Present
Analysis of photographs of Lou Gehrig from 1937 to 1939, conducted in 2006, suggested that early signs of his ALS, particularly hand muscle atrophy, might have been present during this period.
1937: Declining Performance
Lou Gehrig's performance in the 1938 season declined from his 1937 season, possibly due to the onset of ALS.
January 1938: Gehrig Stars in "Rawhide"
Lou Gehrig starred as himself in the 1938 20th Century Fox film "Rawhide", marking his only feature-film appearance. Analysis of the film years later helped researchers determine a timeline for Gehrig's visible ALS symptoms.
September 27, 1938: Last Home Run
Lou Gehrig hit his last home run on September 27, 1938.
April 30, 1939: The Streak Ends
Lou Gehrig's consecutive games played streak ended on April 30, 1939, after 2,130 games.
May 2, 1939: End of Consecutive Games Played Streak
On May 2, 1939, Lou Gehrig voluntarily removed himself from the lineup, ending his streak of 2,130 consecutive games played due to the effects of ALS.
June 13, 1939: Arrival at Mayo Clinic
On June 13, 1939, Lou Gehrig arrived at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, having flown in alone from Chicago, where the Yankees were playing.
June 1939: ALS Diagnosis
Lou Gehrig was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in June 1939.
June 19, 1939: ALS Diagnosis
On his 36th birthday, June 19, 1939, Lou Gehrig received a devastating diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) after six days of testing at the Mayo Clinic. Doctors informed him of the grim prognosis: increasing paralysis, difficulties swallowing and speaking, and a life expectancy of less than three years.
July 4, 1939: Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day
The New York Yankees honored Lou Gehrig with "Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day" at Yankee Stadium on July 4, 1939. The poignant ceremony, attended by dignitaries and former teammates, celebrated Gehrig's career and legacy.
October 1939: Acceptance of Parole Commissioner Position
Lou Gehrig accepted Mayor Fiorello La Guardia's appointment to a 10-year term as a New York City parole commissioner in October 1939.
December 7, 1939: Election to the Baseball Hall of Fame
Lou Gehrig was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in a special election on December 7, 1939, in recognition of his illustrious career and battle with ALS.
1939: Visible Symptoms of Gehrig's ALS More Apparent
By 1939, photographs of Lou Gehrig showed more apparent signs of his battle with ALS, specifically hand muscle atrophy, as determined by researchers in 2006.
1939: Induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame and Number Retirement
In 1939, Lou Gehrig was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame and became the first MLB player to have his uniform number (4) retired by a team.
January 2, 1940: Appointment as Parole Commissioner
On January 2, 1940, Lou Gehrig was sworn in as a New York City parole commissioner, a position he accepted as an opportunity for public service.
June 2, 1941: Death of Lou Gehrig
On June 2, 1941, Lou Gehrig died at the age of 37 due to complications from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
July 6, 1941: Yankees Dedicate Monument to Gehrig
On July 6, 1941, the New York Yankees dedicated a monument to Lou Gehrig in center field at Yankee Stadium, honoring him as "A man, a gentleman and a great ballplayer whose amazing record of 2,130 consecutive games should stand for all time." This monument joined the one for Miller Huggins, erected in 1932, and predated Babe Ruth's monument, which was added in 1949.
1941: Lou Gehrig Passes Away
On June 2, 1941, Lou Gehrig passed away. This date would later be chosen as part of the reason for establishing Lou Gehrig Day.
1941: Dedication of the Lou Gehrig Monument
The Yankees dedicated a monument in honor of Lou Gehrig in 1941, now located in Monument Park at Yankee Stadium.
1942: "The Pride of the Yankees" Released
Released in 1942, "The Pride of the Yankees", starring Gary Cooper as Gehrig and Teresa Wright as his wife, depicted Gehrig's life. The film garnered 11 Academy Award nominations, winning for Film Editing. Notable appearances include Babe Ruth, Bob Meusel, Mark Koenig, Bill Dickey, and Bill Stern.
1946: Death of Heinrich Gehrig
Heinrich Gehrig, Lou Gehrig's father, passed away in 1946.
January 1949: Ogden Nash Poem
Ogden Nash published a poem in SPORT magazine in January 1949, reflecting on Lou Gehrig's legacy.
1954: Death of Christina Gehrig
Christina Gehrig, Lou Gehrig's mother, passed away in 1954.
1955: First Lou Gehrig Memorial Award Presented
The inaugural Lou Gehrig Memorial Award, created by Phi Delta Theta fraternity to honor Gehrig's character and integrity, was presented in 1955. The award recognizes an MLB player's exemplary contributions to their community and philanthropy.
1969: Named Greatest First Baseman of All Time
In 1969, the Baseball Writers' Association of America voted Lou Gehrig as the greatest first baseman of all time.
1972: Sandy Koufax's Hall of Fame Induction
Sandy Koufax was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972, becoming the youngest player at the time to receive the honor.
1976: Eleanor Gehrig Publishes "My Luke and I"
Eleanor Gehrig, Lou Gehrig's wife, published her autobiography, "My Luke and I", in 1976, co-written with Joseph Durso. The book provided insights into their life together and served as the basis for the 1978 TV movie "A Love Affair: The Eleanor and Lou Gehrig Story".
1978: "A Love Affair: The Eleanor and Lou Gehrig Story" Airs
The television movie "A Love Affair: The Eleanor and Lou Gehrig Story", starring Blythe Danner and Edward Herrmann, aired in 1978. The film was based on Eleanor Gehrig's 1976 autobiography, "My Luke and I", co-written with Joseph Durso.
March 6, 1984: Eleanor Gehrig's Death
Eleanor Gehrig, Lou Gehrig's widow, passed away on March 6, 1984, at the age of 80. She was laid to rest beside her husband in Kensico Cemetery.
1984: Eleanor Gehrig's Death
Eleanor Gehrig, Lou Gehrig's wife, passed away in 1984.
September 6, 1995: Ripken Breaks the Record
Cal Ripken Jr. surpassed Lou Gehrig's consecutive games played record on September 6, 1995.
1995: Cal Ripken Jr. Surpasses Gehrig's Consecutive Games Played Record
Cal Ripken Jr. broke Lou Gehrig's record of 2,130 consecutive games played in 1995, which had stood for 56 years.
1999: Voted to the MLB All-Century Team
Fans voted Lou Gehrig as a member of the MLB All-Century Team in 1999.
1999: Gehrig Receives Most Votes for MLB All-Century Team
In 1999, sixty years after his retirement, Lou Gehrig received the most votes from fans in the selection of the Major League Baseball All-Century Team, highlighting his enduring legacy and impact on baseball.
1999: Gehrig Ranked Sixth on Sporting News' 100 Greatest Players
Sporting News editors ranked Lou Gehrig sixth on their list of "Baseball's 100 Greatest Players" in 1999, solidifying his place among the sport's elite.
2004: Gehrig Featured in All Star Baseball 2004
Lou Gehrig's digital likeness and the opening quote of his "baseball's Gettysburg Address" were featured in the video game All Star Baseball 2004, further solidifying his legacy in baseball history.
2006: Researchers Analyze "Rawhide" for Gehrig's ALS Symptoms
In 2006, researchers presented findings to the American Academy of Neurology after analyzing the film "Rawhide" and photographs of Gehrig (1937-1939) to pinpoint when he began exhibiting visible symptoms of ALS. They concluded that while hand muscle atrophy was evident in 1939 photos, Gehrig appeared to function normally in "Rawhide", filmed in January 1938.
2008: "The Pride of the Yankees" Honored by AFI
The American Film Institute (AFI) recognized "The Pride of the Yankees" as the third-best sports picture ever made in 2008, highlighting its enduring legacy and impact within the sports film genre.
September 2010: Posthumous CTE Speculation
In September 2010, an article in the Journal of Neuropathology & Experimental Neurology suggested that some ALS-related illnesses diagnosed in athletes, including Lou Gehrig, may have been CTE, potentially caused by repeated concussions and brain trauma.
2010: Record Tied for Consecutive 100+ RBI Seasons
Alex Rodriguez tied Lou Gehrig's and Jimmie Foxx's record of 13 consecutive seasons with 100 or more RBIs in 2010.
July 28, 2013: Posthumous Hall of Fame Tribute
Lou Gehrig, along with 11 other deceased players, received a special tribute during the Hall of Fame Induction ceremony in Cooperstown, New York, on July 28, 2013.
March 2021: MLB Declares June 2 as Lou Gehrig Day
In March 2021, Major League Baseball designated June 2 as Lou Gehrig Day, commemorating the anniversary of Gehrig becoming the Yankees' starting first baseman (1925) and his death (1941).
2022: Gehrig Named to "New York Mount Rushmore of Sports"
In 2022, Sporting News' SN Rushmore project named Lou Gehrig to their "New York Mount Rushmore of Sports" alongside Babe Ruth, Walt Frazier, and Lawrence Taylor, recognizing his profound impact on sports in New York City.
2024: Gehrig's RBI Record Remains
As of 2024, Gehrig's 185 RBIs in 1931 remains the American League record, highlighting his enduring legacy as one of baseball's greatest hitters.