American · Manhattan · Born 19 June 1903 · Died 1941-06-02American baseball first baseman known as 'The Iron Horse' for playing 2,130 consecutive games for the New York Yankees, ending career due to ALS diagnosis.
Henry Louis Gehrig was born in Manhattan in 1903. He played for the New York Yankees from 1923 to 1939 and set a record of 2,130 consecutive games — the Iron Horse streak — standing until Cal Ripken Jr. in 1995. He won the Triple Crown in 1934, hit .340 lifetime and drove in 1,995 runs. He won six World Series with the Yankees. His partnership with Babe Ruth was the most feared in baseball history. In 1939 he was diagnosed with ALS — amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, now known as Lou Gehrig's Disease — and gave his farewell speech at Yankee Stadium on July 4 calling himself the luckiest man alive. He died in 1941 aged 37. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1939.
2,130 consecutive games streak, ALS diagnosis
His farewell speech at Yankee Stadium — delivered while dying from ALS — is considered the most moving moment in the history of American sport.
Did You Know?How They Played
Power hitter, exceptional fielder, team leader
Lasting Impact
The Iron Horse - symbol of durability and courage
Career Honours
- World Series Champion 6x
- 2x AL MVP
- 2,130 consecutive games
- The Iron Horse Farewell Speech
| Team | Period | Games |
|---|---|---|
| New York Yankees | 1923–1939 | 2164 |
American Athletes