Lasting Legacy of Lou Gehrig: A Look at the Influence on History

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

A detailed timeline of the impact and legacy of Lou Gehrig across different fields.

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

1936: Time Magazine Cover Story

In 1936, Lou Gehrig was featured in a Time magazine cover story, which proclaimed him "the game's No. 1 batsman".

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.

December 7, 1939: Gehrig elected to Baseball Hall of Fame

On December 7, 1939, Lou Gehrig was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in a special election during a winter meeting of the Baseball Writers' Association.

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.

July 6, 1941: Monument Dedicated to Gehrig at Yankee Stadium

On July 6, 1941, the Yankees dedicated a monument to Lou Gehrig in center field at Yankee Stadium, honoring him as a great ballplayer.

1941: Monument dedicated

In 1941, a monument in Lou Gehrig's honor was dedicated by the Yankees, prominently featuring in Monument Park at the new Yankee Stadium.

1942: Release of The Pride of the Yankees

In 1942, the film "The Pride of the Yankees", starring Gary Cooper as Lou Gehrig and Teresa Wright as his wife Eleanor, was released. The film received 11 Academy Award nominations and won for Film Editing. Babe Ruth, Bob Meusel, Mark Koenig, and Bill Dickey appeared as themselves in the movie.

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1955: First Lou Gehrig Memorial Award Presented

In 1955, the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award was first presented to an MLB player who best exhibits Gehrig's character and integrity, created by the Phi Delta Theta fraternity.

April 19, 1956: The Lou Gehrig Story on Climax!

On April 19, 1956, "The Lou Gehrig Story", about the days leading up to his farewell speech, was featured on an episode of the CBS anthology TV series "Climax!", starring Wendell Corey and Jean Hagen.

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1969: Greatest First Baseman

In 1969, the Baseball Writers' Association of America voted Lou Gehrig the greatest first baseman of all time.

1976: Publication of My Luke and I

In 1976, the autobiography "My Luke and I", written by Eleanor Gehrig and Joseph Durso, was published. The 1978 television film "A Love Affair: The Eleanor and Lou Gehrig Story" was based on this book.

My Luke and I

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1978: Release of A Love Affair: The Eleanor and Lou Gehrig Story

In 1978, the television film "A Love Affair: The Eleanor and Lou Gehrig Story" starring Blythe Danner and Edward Herrmann as Eleanor and Gehrig, respectively, was released.

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1999: MLB All-Century Team

In 1999, Lou Gehrig was the leading vote-getter on the MLB All-Century Team, chosen by fans.

1999: Gehrig receives most votes on All-Century Team

In 1999, Sixty years after his farewell to baseball, Lou Gehrig received the most votes of any baseball player on the Major League Baseball All-Century Team, chosen by fan balloting.

1999: Gehrig Ranked Sixth by Sporting News

In 1999, editors at Sporting News ranked Lou Gehrig sixth on their list of "Baseball's 100 Greatest Players".

2004: Lou Gehrig featured in All-Star Baseball 2004

In 2004, Lou Gehrig's digital likeness and the opening quote of the "baseball's Gettysburg Address" were featured in All-Star Baseball 2004.

2008: AFI Honors The Pride of the Yankees

In 2008, the AFI honored "The Pride of the Yankees" as the third-best sports movie.

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March 2021: MLB Declares Lou Gehrig Day

In March 2021, Major League Baseball declared June 2 to be Lou Gehrig Day, commemorating his contributions and legacy.

2022: Gehrig Named on New York Mount Rushmore of Sports

In 2022, as part of their SN Rushmore project, Sporting News named Lou Gehrig on their "New York Mount Rushmore of Sports", along with Babe Ruth, Walt Frazier, and Lawrence Taylor.