A Tribute To Lou "The Iron Horse" Gehrig

manager John McGraw exercised his right to refuse Huggins’ petition, and therefore Gehrig was left off the roster. The Yankees won the World Series, anyway.

Gehrig spent 1924 playing in the minor leagues at Hartford, and then joined the Yankees for good in the spring of ’25. When Gehrig took over for Pipp at first base, he would never leave. Fourteen seasons later, and a legend had been cemented.

If you want history, Gehrig made it. If you want stats, Gehrig has it. With a .340 career batting average, 2,721 hits, 493 home runs, and 1,995 RBI, Gehrig was one of the most pure hitters of his time.

Over a modern 162 game season, Gehrig’s career numbers would project out to .340, .447 OBP, 37 homers, 149 RBI, 141 runs, and almost twice as many walks as strikeouts.

Among Gehrig’s many accomplishments, he holds the career record for grand slams with 23; he won the Triple Crown in 1934; his 184 RBIs in ’31 are the most ever in a single season in the American League, and are second most in baseball history behind Hack Wilson’s 191 RBIs in 1930 with the Chicago Cubs; he is the only player ever to drive in 500 or more runs over a three year span (1930-’32).

And remember, Gehrig spent those years hitting behind Babe Ruth, arguably the most prolific power hitter in baseball history.

Of course, the Iron Horse is most known for his 2,130 consecutive games played streak, which was a record until Cal Ripken Jr. eclipsed the mark in 1995. During the streak, Gehrig played through broken toes, fingers, and back spasms.

Once late in his career, Gehrig’s hands were X-rayed and doctors were able to spot 17 different fractures that had fused back together during his streak.

But the end came abruptly in the summer of ’39, with Gehrig retiring at 36 years old after being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. The disease destroys the nerve cells controlling muscles and causes complete paralysis. Most patients die within 3-5 years of being diagnosed.

The Hall Of Fame waived its customary two-year waiting period and opened up its doors to Gehrig in 1939, the same year as his retirement. They wanted Gehrig to be able to accept the honor before his illness captured him.

Gehrig passed away on June 2, 1941, 17 days shy of his 38th birthday, but the sadness placidly surrendered to the joy and grace of his name.

Gehrig was ahead of his time in social activism, saying, “There is no room in baseball for discrimination. It is our national pastime and a game for all.” Jackie Robinson wouldn’t come along to officially break the color barrier in baseball until 1947.

Mostly, though, Gehrig is remembered for his humility and honesty while living in a city that craves showmanship, and working for a franchise that defined the American sports celebrity.

Gehrig spent most of his years living in the shadow of Ruth, an iconic figure equally know for his womanizing and party habits in addition to his tantalizing baseball talent.

And Gehrig spent his last years playing in the shadow of Joe DiMaggio, The Yankee Clipper who, when not on the field, stayed in the public spotlight by marrying Marilyn Monroe and later becoming a famous line of Simon & Garfunkel’s 1968 number one single, “Mrs. Robinson.”

But all the while, Gehrig remained a symbol for the working class of New York, and the middle class of America. He was a loving family man, and that image waltzes with everyday reality.

You don’t need to be Ruth to have it made. You don’t need the glamour of DiMaggio to have happiness. Even in the face of struggle, you don’t need to be rich or famous to make it through. You simply need to stay true to your core, and follow Gehrig’s path of dignity.

“Today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the Earth.”

That Gehrig line will forever rest in baseball lore.

But it’s kind of funny, because that’s how I feel when I get to dive into and celebrate the illustrious life and legacy of Lou “The Iron Horse” Gehrig.

You can reach Teddy Mitrosilis at tm4000@yahoo.com.

 

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