Lou gehrig life biography facts

In the following seasons, it became clear that Ruth was fading. He was also bothered more and more by lumbago; in he had suffered an attack on the field and had to be carried off. He was quite aware of his consecutive games streak, as were manager Joe McCarthy and the writers. The next day he was penciled in the lineup as the leadoff hitter, listed at shortstop.

Hardly able to stand, he singled, and Red Rolfe pinch ran for him and finished the game at shortstop. He kept his string going through the years despite a broken thumb, a broken toe, back spasms, and lumbago, stoically, in fact proudly, playing through the pain.

Lou gehrig life biography facts: Lou Gehrig played for the New

The arrival of Joe DiMaggio in made enough of a difference that Gehrig had his last two great seasons in and as the Yankees won World Championships. The Giants managed something no other team had done since they won a World Series game from the Yankees. But Gehrig homered in close contests in Games Three and Four. Quiet and unassuming, Gehrig struggled to make friends with many of his colorful and spotlight-hungry Yankee teammates, especially Ruth.

But his hardworking nature and ability to play through incredible pain certainly earned their respect, and earned him the nickname "The Iron Horse. His Hall of Fame career saw him score runs and knock in at least that many in 13 consecutive seasons. Inhe set an American League record by clubbing RBIs, and inhe became the third player to hit four home runs in a single game it's only been done 16 times ever.

Lou gehrig life biography facts: Born Henry Louis Gehrig in

Two years later, he took home baseball's coveted Triple Crown by leading the league in home runs 49average. In the World Series, Gehrig was equally impressive, batting. In the aging Gehrig turned in his first subpar season. His hard-charging career seemed to have caught up with him as his body started to fail him. But Gehrig, who was having trouble with things as simple as tying his shoelaces, feared he might be facing something more than just the downslide of a long baseball career.

Inafter getting off to a horrid start to the baseball season, Gehrig checked himself into the Mayo Clinic, where after a series of tests, doctors informed him that he was suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ALSa devastating disease that strips nerve cells of their ability to interact with the body's muscles. His diagnosis with the disease helped put the spotlight on the condition, and in the years since Gehrig's passing, it has come to be known popularly as "Lou Gehrig's disease.

On May 2,Gehrig's ironman streak came to an end when he voluntarily took himself out of the lineup. Not long after, Gehrig retired from baseball. Just recently after playing his 2,consecutive game, Gehrig went hitless against the Washington Senators.

Lou gehrig life biography facts: Henry Louis Gehrig was born

On May 2, Gehrig told his teams manager that he is benching himself. When this was announced in the stadium, Gehrig was on the bench in tears. He stayed with the team for all the season but never played again. After six days of intensive testing, the diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ALS was confirmed. Gehrig turned 36 the same day. His wife was told that the illness is painless, non-contagious and cruel.

He was given not more than three years, with rapidly declining motor function, while his mental status was unimpaired. His uniform number 4 was retired, making him the first player in Major League Baseball to receive that honor. He had declined other job opportunities, like guest-appearances and public speaking.

Lou gehrig life biography facts: Henry Louis Gehrig, also known as

A month before his death, his condition had deteriorated so much, that he had to quit the job. Lou Gehrig died on June 2, On December 7,Gehrig was nominated to the Baseball Hall of Fame, marking the first time a player had been honored this way the same year he left the sport. Gehrig wore No. To date, the Yankees have retired 21 numbers. The former slugger was sworn in for a year term in the fall of Gehrig took his responsibilities seriously but in April his declining health caused him to ask for a six-month leave of absence.

He died two months later. You can opt out at any time. You must be 16 years or older and a resident of the United States.