Lou Gehrig was an American professional baseball player. Born Henry Louis Gehrig, in New York, N.Y., June 19, 1903. Died New York, June 2, 1941.
Gehrig, who came from a poor family, became one of baseball's greatest sluggers and first basemen. He started in organized baseball in 1921 with the Yankees' farm team in Hartford, and he played 13 games with the Yankees in 1923. Two years later he started playing full time for the Yankees and did not miss a game until May 2, 1939. This record of 2,130 consecutive games earned him the nickname of "The Iron Horse."
Gehrig's lifetime batting average was .340, and he hit .361 in seven World Series. In June 1932 he hit four consecutive home runs in one game. He was the American League home run king twice and tied once for that honor with Babe Ruth. He won the best player award (American League) three times and the most valuable player award (American League) once, and he was named to the All America team six times. He was elected to baseball's Hall of Fame in 1939.
Gehrig left the Yankees in 1939 because of ill health, was appointed to the New York Municipal Parole Commission the following year, and died in 1941 of a rare spinal disease.
