Lou Gehrig
⭐ Hall of Fame 1939
Born: 6/19/1903 in New York, NY, USA
Died: 6/2/1941 in Bronx, NY, USA
MLB Debut: 1923-06-15 | Final Game: 1939-04-30
Bats: L | Throws: L | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 200 lbs
Full name: Henry Louis Gehrig
Biography
Lou Gehrig, born in 1903, was an iconic American baseball player whose career spanned from 1923 until his retirement on April 30, 1939. Known as "The Iron Horse," Gehrig played his entire 2164-game career with the New York Yankees, where he established himself as one of the greatest first basemen in the history of the game. His impressive career statistics included 2721 hits, 493 home runs, and a remarkable 1995 RBIs, all while maintaining a batting average of .34. Gehrig's ability to combine power with consistency made him a formidable presence at the plate and a key contributor to the Yankees during their dominant years in the 1920s and 1930s.
Gehrig was not only a prolific hitter but also a symbol of resilience and sportsmanship, famously playing 2,130 consecutive games, a record that stood for decades. His contributions to the game were recognized with seven All-Star selections and multiple TSN Guide MVP awards. In 1939, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame, solidifying his legacy. Tragically, Gehrig's career was cut short by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a disease that would come to bear his name. His farewell speech at Yankee Stadium remains one of the most poignant moments in sports history, exemplifying his grace and dignity in the face of adversity. Lou Gehrig's impact on baseball and American culture continues to resonate, making him a revered figure in sports history.
Negro Leagues Career Statistics
Batting
| PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 0 | 0 | 1.0 | 0 | 4.0 | 0 | 1.0 | 0.667 | 0.818 | 1.167 | 1.985 |
Pitching
| W | L | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO | ERA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 8.0 | 3.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
Negro Leagues Season-by-Season Batting
| Season | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1925 | 6.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.500 | 0.833 | 0.500 | 1.333 |
| 1929 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 0 | 0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.0 | 0.750 | 0.800 | 1.500 | 2.300 |
Negro Leagues Season-by-Season Pitching
| Season | W | L | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO | ERA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1929 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 8.0 | 3.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2164 | 8001 | 1888 | 2721 | 534 | 163 | 493 | 1995 | 102 | 1508 | 790 | 0.340 | 0.447 | 0.632 | 1.080 | 80494.9 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1923 | NYY | AL | 13 | 26 | 6 | 11 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 0.423 | 0.0 |
| 1924 | NYY | AL | 10 | 12 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0.500 | 0.0 |
| 1925 | NYY | AL | 126 | 437 | 73 | 129 | 23 | 10 | 20 | 68 | 6 | 46 | 49 | 0.295 | 1449.8 |
| 1926 | NYY | AL | 155 | 572 | 135 | 179 | 47 | 20 | 16 | 112 | 6 | 105 | 73 | 0.313 | 4008.8 |
| 1927 | NYY | AL | 155 | 584 | 149 | 218 | 52 | 18 | 47 | 175 | 10 | 109 | 84 | 0.373 | 8511.0 |
| 1928 | NYY | AL | 154 | 562 | 139 | 210 | 47 | 13 | 27 | 142 | 4 | 95 | 69 | 0.374 | 6270.0 |
| 1929 | NYY | AL | 154 | 553 | 127 | 166 | 32 | 10 | 35 | 126 | 4 | 122 | 68 | 0.300 | 4239.8 |
| 1930 | NYY | AL | 154 | 581 | 143 | 220 | 42 | 17 | 41 | 174 | 12 | 101 | 63 | 0.379 | 6865.8 |
| 1931 | NYY | AL | 155 | 619 | 163 | 211 | 31 | 15 | 46 | 184 | 17 | 117 | 56 | 0.341 | 6950.0 |
| 1932 | NYY | AL | 156 | 596 | 138 | 208 | 42 | 9 | 34 | 151 | 4 | 108 | 38 | 0.349 | 6082.2 |
| 1933 | NYY | AL | 152 | 593 | 138 | 198 | 41 | 12 | 32 | 139 | 9 | 92 | 42 | 0.334 | 5603.1 |
| 1934 | NYY | AL | 154 | 579 | 128 | 210 | 40 | 6 | 49 | 165 | 9 | 109 | 31 | 0.363 | 7473.0 |
| 1935 | NYY | AL | 149 | 535 | 125 | 176 | 26 | 10 | 30 | 119 | 8 | 132 | 38 | 0.329 | 5421.0 |
| 1936 | NYY | AL | 155 | 579 | 167 | 205 | 37 | 7 | 49 | 152 | 3 | 130 | 46 | 0.354 | 7492.9 |
| 1937 | NYY | AL | 157 | 569 | 138 | 200 | 37 | 9 | 37 | 159 | 4 | 127 | 49 | 0.351 | 6637.5 |
| 1938 | NYY | AL | 157 | 576 | 115 | 170 | 32 | 6 | 29 | 114 | 6 | 107 | 75 | 0.295 | 3489.9 |
| 1939 | NYY | AL | 8 | 28 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0.143 | 0.0 |
Postseason Statistics
Playoff Career Batting
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | 119 | 30 | 43 | 8 | 3 | 10 | 35 | 26 | 17 | 0.361 |
Playoff Batting by Year
| Year | Round | Team | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1938 | WS | NYA | 4 | 14 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0.286 |
| 1937 | WS | NYA | 5 | 17 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 0.294 |
| 1936 | WS | NYA | 6 | 24 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 0.292 |
| 1932 | WS | NYA | 4 | 17 | 9 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 0.529 |
| 1928 | WS | NYA | 4 | 11 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 6 | 0 | 0.545 |
| 1927 | WS | NYA | 4 | 13 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 0.308 |
| 1926 | WS | NYA | 7 | 23 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 0.348 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 2137 | 0 | 19510 | 1087 | 193 | 1575 |
| OF | 9 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| SS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1923 | NYA | 1B | 9 | 0 | 53 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| 1924 | NYA | 1B | 2 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1924 | NYA | OF | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1925 | NYA | 1B | 114 | 0 | 1126 | 53 | 13 | 72 |
| 1925 | NYA | OF | 6 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 1926 | NYA | 1B | 155 | 0 | 1566 | 73 | 15 | 87 |
| 1927 | NYA | 1B | 155 | 0 | 1662 | 88 | 15 | 108 |
| 1928 | NYA | 1B | 154 | 0 | 1488 | 79 | 18 | 112 |
| 1929 | NYA | 1B | 154 | 0 | 1458 | 82 | 9 | 135 |
| 1930 | NYA | 1B | 153 | 0 | 1298 | 89 | 15 | 109 |
| 1930 | NYA | OF | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1931 | NYA | 1B | 154 | 0 | 1352 | 58 | 13 | 120 |
| 1931 | NYA | OF | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1932 | NYA | 1B | 156 | 0 | 1293 | 75 | 18 | 101 |
| 1933 | NYA | 1B | 152 | 0 | 1290 | 64 | 9 | 102 |
| 1934 | NYA | 1B | 153 | 0 | 1284 | 80 | 8 | 126 |
| 1934 | NYA | SS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1935 | NYA | 1B | 149 | 0 | 1337 | 82 | 15 | 96 |
| 1936 | NYA | 1B | 155 | 0 | 1377 | 82 | 9 | 128 |
| 1937 | NYA | 1B | 157 | 0 | 1370 | 74 | 16 | 113 |
| 1938 | NYA | 1B | 157 | 0 | 1483 | 100 | 14 | 157 |
| 1939 | NYA | 1B | 8 | 0 | 64 | 4 | 2 | 5 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 2135 |
| Left Field | 3 |
| Right Field | 6 |
Awards & Honors
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia University | New York | NY | 1923 |
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1938 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 19th | 10.0 | 336 | 0 |
| 1937 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 4th | 42.0 | 80 | 0 |
| 1936 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 1st | 73.0 | 80 | 0 |
| 1935 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 5th | 29.0 | 80 | 0 |
| 1934 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 5th | 54.0 | 80 | 0 |
| 1933 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 4th | 39.0 | 80 | 0 |
| 1932 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 2nd | 55.0 | 80 | 0 |
| 1931 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 2nd | 59.0 | 80 | 0 |
| 1927 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 1st | 56.0 | 64 | 7 |
| 1926 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 10th | 7.0 | 64 | 0 |
| 1925 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 24th | 2.0 | 64 | 0 |