Sports History

Henry Louis Gehrig, better known as Lou Gehrig, was more than just a baseball player; he was a legend whose career embodied dedication, resilience, and an unwavering spirit. From his dominant years as "The Iron Horse" to his tragic battle with ALS, Gehrig's story continues to inspire generations.

A Rising Star and Record-Breaking Streak: Entering Major League Baseball in 1923, Gehrig quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with. His powerful hitting, earning him the nickname "The Iron Horse," led him to break numerous records, including:

Consecutive games played (2,130)
Most grand slams in a career (23)
Highest career RBIs in a season (184)
He was a seven-time All-Star, two-time American League MVP, and a key member of six World Series championship teams with the New York Yankees, forming a formidable duo with Babe Ruth.

A Tragic Turn and Enduring Legacy: Sadly, Gehrig's career was cut short at the peak when he was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), later known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. Despite the debilitating illness, he displayed remarkable courage and strength, delivering his emotional "Luckiest Man on Earth" speech in 1941.

Born June 19, 1903, in New York, NY, was Baseball Hall of Fame First Baseman Lou Gehrig. Lou played 17 seasons in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees (1923–1939). Gehrig was an All-Star seven consecutive times, a Triple Crown winner once, an American League Most Valuable Player twice, and a six World Series champion Yankee teams member. For his MLB career, he had a career .340 batting average, a .632 slugging average, and a .447 on-base average, and he hit 493 home runs.

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The Baseball Almanac carries a plethora of June 2 events like:
1941 - New York Yankees first baseman Lou Gehrig dies of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis at age 37 in New York.
1987 - The Mariners select Cincinnati high schooler Ken Griffey, Jr., the son of Braves outfielder Ken Griffey, with the first overall pick in the free-agent draft.
1995 - John Valentin hits three home runs and has five hits in Boston's 6-3 win over the Mariners. His 15 total bases are a season high.

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The Baseball Almanac website carries a plethora of June events like:
1920 - The Reds' Edd Roush falls asleep in center field during a long argument in the infield.
1935 - Lou Gehrig collides with Carl Reynolds on a play at first base and leaves the game with arm and shoulder injuries.
1955 - The Dodgers option pitcher Tommy Lasorda to Montreal to make room on the roster for bonus baby Sandy Koufax.

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BleedCubbieBlue.com of SB Nation provides some grear June 1 baseball history with gems like:
1925 - Lou Gehrig of the New York Yankees pinch-hits for Pee Wee Wanninger, beginning his streak of playing in 2,130 consecutive games.
1975 - The California Angels’ Nolan Ryan’s 100th career victory.
2012 - Johan Santana throws the first no-hitter in the 50-year history of the New York Mets.
There is so much more unpacked here as well for June 1.

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The Baseball History Comes Alive website carries a plethora of June 3 events like:
1932 - Tony Lazzeri Hits for the Natural Cycle.
1932 - Lou Gehrig Hits Four Home Runs.
1932 - John McGraw Retires

The ThisDayinBseball.com website provides dozens of June 2 events including these gems:
1925 - Lou Gehrig starts for the first time for New York Yankees.
1928 - Les Bell collects 15 total bases, blasting three home runs and a triple at Braves Field.
1949 - Philadelphia Phillies set a major league record by hitting five home runs in one inning.
1958 - Whitey Ford of the New York Yankees strikes out six batters in a row to tie an American League record.
1990 - The "Big Unit", Randy Johnson of the Seattle Mariners pitches the first no-hitter in the history of the franchise

The ThisDayinBseball.com website provides dozens of June 5 events including these gems:

1916 – In Cleveland, Babe Ruth of the Boston Red Sox shuts out the Indians, 5 – 0, on five hits
1936 – Lou Gehrig plays in his 1,700th consecutive game.
1955 - Mickey Mantle of the New York Yankees slugs a 550-foot home run.
1966 - Cincinnati Reds shortstop Leo Cardenas hits four home runs in a doubleheader.
1966 - Mantle breaks his foot by running into the outfield wall.
1977 - Dodgers honor Walter Alston by retiring uniform Number 24.

ThisDayinBaseball.com provides the May 31 history of dozens of events including:
1869 - The first rain out involving a professional baseball team.
1925 - Ty Cobb’s 275th triple makes him the first player ever with 1,000 extra-base hits.
1927 - Jimmie Foxx hits his first career homerun.
1938 - Lou Gehrig plays in his 2,000th consecutive game.
2006 - Jose Castillo hits a home run in his fifth straight game as Pittsburgh beats Milwaukee for the third consecutive time.

The BR Bullpen of Baseball-Reference.com events for June 15 and among the many are:
1923 - Lou Gehrig makes his Major League debut with the New York Yankees as a pinch hitter.
1938 - Johnny Vander Meer of the Cincinnati Reds stuns the baseball world by pitching his second successive no-hitter in five days.

The This Day In Baseball website covers many events of the date throughout history taking place on May 10 including posts about Monte Pearson, Bill Klemm, Lou Gehrig, Joe Sullivan, Walter Johnson, Lefty Groves, Ewell Blackwell, Don Newcombe, Bob Lemon, Dave McNally, Roger Metzger, and more. MLB May 10