Lou Gehrig
| Birthdate | 6/19/1903 |
| Death Date | 6/2/1941 |
| Debut Year | 1923 |
| Year of Induction | 1939 |
| Teams | Yankees |
| Position | First Base |
Lou Gehrig was the the top vote-getter on the fans’ All-Century team voting in 1999; in 1969 the Baseball Writers chose him as the greatest at 1B.
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Gehrig was a man of "complete unsophistication" with a "mother complex" when he broke in with the Yankees
Gehrig was a man of "complete unsophistication" with a "mother complex" when he broke in with the Yankees
Waite Hoyt was a 5-year big league veteran when Lou Gehrig joined the Yankees in 1923. The pair were teammates for the first 8 years of Gehrig’s career.
Gehrig played just 23 games for the Yankees in his first two seasons of ’23 and ’24. He became the everyday first baseman in New York in June of ’25 and soon blossomed as a star.
From 1925 through Hoyt’s last season with the Yankees in 1930, Gehrig hit .348 with a .453 on-base percentage. He also averaged 145 runs batted in per season.
Gehrig’s finest season came in 1927 when he led the league in doubles (52), RBI (173), and total bases (447). That year he hit .373 with a career best 1.240 OPS and 11.9 WAR.
While Gehrig and Hoyt were teammates, the Iron Horse played in 813 straight games. In this letter the Hall of Fame hurler writes of Gehrig’s transformation as a person.
Hoyt writes that Gehrig went from a person of “complete unsophistication” with a “mother complex” to a man “assigned by the Supreme Power to fulfill a definite mission on earth”.
Hoyt closes the first page of the letter thusly, “In your personal idolization of the man you have chosen wisely. You could not have done better, and I respect you highly for your recognition of what this man represented to his teammates and the public.”
The second page of the letter can be read in the following image.
Gehrig transformed from "his original naiveté" to an "unblemished peak of accomplishment"
Gehrig transformed from "his original naiveté" to an "unblemished peak of accomplishment"
In closing his letter about teammate Lou Gehrig, Waite Hoyt affirms his stance with a strong conclusion, “I believe I have outlined the aura in which he played during his wonderful career, both from his original naiveté, to his unblemished peak of accomplishment. I have done my part for you here and hope that it in some way satisfies.” Hoyt has signed in blue ink below at the bottom of the letter.
More than a century after his birth, Lou Gehrig is revered for both his play and his character
More than a century after his birth, Lou Gehrig is revered for both his play and his character
Lou Gehrig established himself as one of the greatest icons in baseball history by the time he walked away from the game in 1939. The first in the game’s history to have his jersey number retired, Gehrig held numerous records at the time of his retirement.
The Iron Horse tallied at least 100 runs scored and 100 RBI in 13 straight seasons. He led the Junior Circuit in runs four times, homers three times, RBI and on-base percentage five times each.
A prolific run-producer, he he set the still-standing AL record with 185 runs batted in in 1934.
Gehrig finished in the top three in the league in batting average seven times. The lone season he led the topped the AL in the category was his Triple Crown campaign of 1934.
In the collection is a photo signed by the Iron Horse joining forces with Hall of Fame catcher Bill Dickey to argue a call with umpire Cal Hubbard, the only man inducted into both the baseball and football Halls of Fame.
The leading vote-getter in All Century Team balloting in 1999, Gehrig was also the baseball writers’ choice for greatest-ever first baseman in their 1969 vote.
During his four years with the Yankees, Eddie Wells' locker was between Gehrig and Ruth
During his four years with the Yankees, Eddie Wells' locker was between Gehrig and Ruth
Eddie Wells played his first five big league seasons with the Detroit Tigers managed by the great Ty Cobb. The pitcher’s finest season for the Bengals came in 1926 when he made a career high 26 starts and led the American League in shutouts.
In 1929 Wells left the Tigers and joined the Yankees. The southpaw spent the next four years in New York as Lou Gehrig’s teammate. His locker in the Yankee clubhouse was positioned directly between those of Gehrig and Babe Ruth giving Wells insight into both men.
In the letter above, Wells describes the Iron Horse, writing in part, “In my 4 yrs. with the Yankees I got to know Gehrig well. As my locker was between Gehrig and Babe. Gehrig was an introvert, a very quiet person and did not say very much. Lived a very clean and good life. Treated everyone with respect. A great hitter.”
Wells won 37 games against 20 losses during his time in New York. The second page of the letter is shown in the next image.
Gehrig was at the top of his game when Eddie Wells was his teammate
Gehrig was at the top of his game when Eddie Wells was his teammate
During Eddie Wells’ four years with the Yankees he saw teammate Lou Gehrig at his best. The Yankee first baseman hit .343 with a .450 on-base percentage in Wells’ time with the team. He averaged 201 hits, 39 homers and 158 RBI per season from 1929-1932. In 1931, Gehrig set a still-standing American League record by driving in 185 runs.
Shown here is the second page of Wells’ letter describing Gehrig. The pitcher lends first-hand insight into the relationship between Gehrig and Babe Ruth and on the character of the Iron Horse.
“Babe and Gehrig got along fine,” Wells writes. “They did not buddy any but they were good friends I know. Gehrig was a good man and commanded everyone’s respect.”
Though the letter is undated, it was likely written in 1984 due to Wells’ reference of Lou’s widow Eleanor who passed away on March 6, that year. “See where Gehrig’s wife died. She was a very nice sweet lady.”
After the World Series championship year of 1932, Wells left New York and finished his big league career pitching two seasons for the St. Louis Browns.
In 1925 Gehrig replaced Wally Pipp at first base and became a fixture in the Yankee lineup
In 1925 Gehrig replaced Wally Pipp at first base and became a fixture in the Yankee lineup
Many associate Wally Pipp with the start of Lou Gehrig’s consecutive games played streak. Pipp was the Yankee first baseman from 1915 through the 1924 season.
In 1925 Pipp got off to a slow start. A career .281 hitter, Pipp was batting just .242 through June 4. Gehrig took over for Pipp and became one of the greatest players the game has ever known.
After early June, Pipp played just 18 more games for the Yankees, 16 of which came either as a pinch runner or pinch hitter. In the offseason Pipp was sold to the Reds for $7,500. He finished his big league career with three seasons for Cincinnati.
Gehrig’s iron man streak actually began when he pinch hit for shortstop Pee Wee Wanninger on June 5, 1925.
Shown here is a wire photo depicting Pipp as a player in 1921 and before an old timers game in 1961. The caption announces Pipp’s death on January 11, 1965 at age 71.
Lou's streak began pinch hitting for Pee Wee Wanninger on 6/1/25
Lou's streak began pinch hitting for Pee Wee Wanninger on 6/1/25
Cal Ripken holds the all-time record for consecutive games played with 2,632. Second on the list is Lou Gehrig with 2,130; third is Everett Scott with 1,307. Pee Wee Wanninger is tied to both men behind Ripken.
In the 1925 season a 32-year old Scott was slipping at shortstop and at the plate. When Yankee manager Miller Huggins saw fit to bench Scott and end the streak, he turned to the rookie Wanninger. On May 5th, 1925 Wanninger started in place of Scott to end what is still the third longest run in MLB history.
Four weeks later Huggins called on 22-year old Lou Gehrig to pinch hit for Wanninger in what would be the start of Gehrig’s own streak.
Before Wanninger played a role in the consecutive games streak of Everett Scott and Lou Gehrig he was a minor leaguer playing for Augusta Tygers. The team was named after Ty Cobb, who began his professional career in Augusta in 1904. In the collection is the agreement assigning Wanninger to Augusta the season before Gehrig pinch hit for him to start the streak of 2,130 consecutive games.
Wanninger played in a career-high 117 games in 1925
Wanninger played in a career-high 117 games in 1925
It must have been disappointing for Pee Wee Wanninger to play the entire 1924 season in the minor leagues. He was one step away from making his Major League debut, a milestone he would reach the following season.
The 1925 campaign would be memorable in the history of baseball and for Wanninger as he played a role in stopping and starting the two longest consecutive games played streaks of his lifetime — those of Everett Scott and Lou Gehrig.
By 1925, the 32-year old Scott was slipping in the field at shortstop and at the plate. Soon Yankee manager Miller Huggins decided to bench Scott and end his streak of consecutive games played at 1,307.
On May 6, 1925, Huggins penciled in Wanninger in place of Scott in the New York lineup to stop the streak.
Four weeks later Huggins called on 22-year old Lou Gehrig to pinch hit for Wanninger. That appearance started Gehrig’s streak that lasted 2,130 games.
In the collection is Wanninger’s player’s contract for the 1925 season in which he helped stop and start two of baseball’s most prolific consecutive games streaks. The front page is also signed by Hall of Fame executive Ban Johnson.
Wanninger's contract is signed by Hall of Famers Jacob Ruppert and Ban Johnson
Wanninger's contract is signed by Hall of Famers Jacob Ruppert and Ban Johnson
Shown here is the signature page of the 1925 contract of Yankee shortstop Pee Wee Wanninger. It is signed by the player and by Hall of Fame Yankee owner Jacob Ruppert. Wanninger has also penned his name.
The contract is signed on February 3, 1925. The front of the contract is also signed by American League President and Hall of Famer Ban Johnson.
This piece represents a historic link to two of the longest consecutive games streaks in the history of the game.
Letter from HoFer George Weiss mentioning Gehrig & eventual replacement, Babe Dahlgren
Letter from HoFer George Weiss mentioning Gehrig & eventual replacement, Babe Dahlgren
As head of the Yankee’s from 1932-1947, George Weiss intimately knew the inner workings of the team’s farm system and its minor leaguers. Here he writes to super scout Joe Devine about various personnel issues.
First among them in the letter was Babe Dahlgren who had yet to play a game for the Yankees. Weiss writes that Hall of Fame manager Joe McCarthy, “wants to be protected to bring back Dahlgren if anything happens to Gehrig”.
The Yankee first baseman was in the midst of a consecutive games streak that would reach 2130 contests. The letter is dated April 21, 1937, two years before Dahlgren would replace Gehrig to snap the streak.
In the second page of the letter Weiss mentions AL MVP Spud Chandler and Yankee legend Tommy Henrich
In the second page of the letter Weiss mentions AL MVP Spud Chandler and Yankee legend Tommy Henrich
George Weiss who would serve as the Yankee’s general manager from 1947-1960 signed many contracts, documents, and letters, making his signature common. However, the foreshadowing of Babe Dahlgren serving as eventual replacement for the Iron Horse makes this letter rather remarkable.
The letter also mentions pitcher Spud Chandler, the eventual AL MVP in 1943, and Tommy Henrich who would go on to play in five All Star games. Neither player had appeared in a Major League game at the time Weiss signed the bottom of this correspondence.
Gehrig's streak was ended when Babe Dahlgren started at first base for NY on 5/2/1939, the same year of this baseball card
Gehrig's streak was ended when Babe Dahlgren started at first base for NY on 5/2/1939, the same year of this baseball card
On the day Gehrig’s streak ended, Babe Dahlgren found his name penciled in at first base. Shown here is a 1939 Play Ball card of Dahlgren who would start on that fateful Tuesday, May 2, 1939.
Dahlgern had a homer and a double in the game that saw the Yanks pummel the Tigers 22-2. Gehrig never played another game.
Gehrig's #4 was retired by the Yankees - a first in baseball history
Gehrig's #4 was retired by the Yankees - a first in baseball history
In the collection is a letter from Hall of Fame executive Ed Barrow to the sons of baseball concessionaire Harry Stevens apologizing for missing the funeral of their mother.
Barrow writes, “We seriously considered attending the funeral services, and would have done so but for the fact that we were both a little bit under the weather after the strain of poor Lou Gehrig’s death and funeral.”
Gehrig, who passed away just nine days earlier was a favorite of Barrow who made Gehrig’s #4 the first retired number in the history of baseball.
Gehrig's agent Christy Walsh writes of securing Bill Dickey and Babe Ruth for Pride of the Yankees
Gehrig's agent Christy Walsh writes of securing Bill Dickey and Babe Ruth for Pride of the Yankees
One of the best baseball films ever produced, Pride of the Yankees was nominated for ten Academy Awards. The Lou Gehrig biopic is a love story wrapped around baseball. To make the movie more authentic, producers hired sports agent Christy Walsh as a liaison to gain the cooperation of the New York Yankees. Indeed, Babe Ruth, Bill Dickey, Bob Meusel, and Mark Koenig appeared as themselves in credited roles.
In the collection is this letter from Walsh to his assistant Joe Bihler on Samuel Goldwyn Inc. letterhead and dated January 27, 1942. Walsh write that he is, “very happy to say that Bill Dickey has finally agreed to come out and appear in the Lou Gehrig picture.”
Walsh asks Bihler to, “…send me as much material as you can dig up Bill Dickey suitable for studio publicity.” Walsh suggest that Bihler contact the Yankees and, “Al Munro Elias, or any other source” for “information or figures on Dickey.”
Walsh continues, “You might also consult Mrs. Gehrig by telephone to see if she if she has any reminiscence or suggestions regarding Dickey, particularly regarding his friendship and relationship with Lou.”
In the next paragraph Walsh handles a more delicate situation. “We are trying to have Bill arrive in Hollywood a few days before Babe arrives because, naturally Babe carries more news importance and we don’t want him to take the edge off of Dickey’s arrival story. This, of course, has to be handled tactfully because I don’t want to offend Bill Dickey.”
Walsh started his association with baseball as the ghostwriter for Christy Mathewson in 1912. Walsh soon became the first agent in baseball history representing the titans of the game – Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, John McGraw, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Rogers Hornsby, Dizzy Dean and others.
Contract signed by Herb Pennock for Lou Gehrig biopic Pride of the Yankees
Contract signed by Herb Pennock for Lou Gehrig biopic Pride of the Yankees
Pride of the Yankees garnered ten Academy Award nominations in 1942, including best writing original story, best picture, best actor, and best actress. Gary Cooper played Gehrig and many Yankee teammates appeared in the film.
In the collection is the contract signed by Herb Pennock to be portrayed or represented in the movie. All fans of Gehrig, the Yankees, and baseball should see Cooper, Teresa Wright, and Walter Brennan turn in outstanding performances in the film. For more knowledgeable fans of the game, catching a glimpse of the Yankees of the era adds to the viewing experience.
Gehrig's widow tells an autograph hunter she doesn't have any more of Lou's signatures
Gehrig's widow tells an autograph hunter she doesn't have any more of Lou's signatures
Autograph collectors were still searching for ways to get Lou Gehrig’s signature long after his death. Eleanor Gehrig, the player’s widow received requests from all over the country for her husband’s autograph.
Shown here is a letter she wrote to a collector letting him know, “I haven’t had an authentic autograph of Lou’s for many years.”
The night Ripken broke Lou's streak he hit a homer off of Shawn Boskie; here's what Boskie recalls
The night Ripken broke Lou's streak he hit a homer off of Shawn Boskie; here's what Boskie recalls
Angel pitcher Shawn Boskie had the unenviable task of starting the game on September 6, 1995 when Cal Ripken Jr. broke Lou Gehrig’s consecutive games streak. In game 2,131 Boskie and the Angels were tied 1-1 until the bottom of the fourth when Ripken blasted a two-run homer much to the delight of the sellout crowd.
In the collection is a questionnaire from Boskie about his experience. What does Boskie remember about that historic evening? “The amazing amount of energy in the stadium that night. I will never forget the flashes from cameras.
“I was still in ‘game mode” somewhat so I just tried to watch it and not forget that I was witness to history.
“Can’t overstate how important that night and specifically to Cal, were to the game. We were all amazed he got that far.”
Second base umpire Dan Morrison recounts the night Ripken broke Gehrig's streak
Second base umpire Dan Morrison recounts the night Ripken broke Gehrig's streak
Lou Gehrig’s record stood from 1939 until 1995. The night it was broken, Dan Morrison was the second base umpire.
When the game became official, the crowd gave Cal Ripken Jr. a prolonged standing ovation.
“To be quite honest, I had tears in my eyes watching how a city and an individual could show appreciation for something I know will never be repeated,” writes Morrison. “I was impressed how the visiting team (Angels) were willing to let the celebrating and festivities to continue to go on during the game. They were truly ‘caught up’ in the moment also.”
