Lou Gehrig was an American baseball player best known for his incredible career with the New York Yankees, where he earned the nickname “The Iron Horse.” He set numerous records, including the most consecutive games played, and was admired for his batting skills.
Personal and Family Life
Lou Gehrig was born on June 19, 1903, in New York City to German immigrant parents, Heinrich and Christina Gehrig. He was the only one of four siblings to survive to adulthood. Lou married Eleanor Twitchell on September 29, 1933, but the couple had no children.
Health and Career Challenges
In 1939, Lou Gehrig’s illustrious career faced a shocking turn as he began to experience severe health issues, which led to his diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Initially, Lou was determined to maintain his consecutive game streak but ultimately had to step away from baseball when his health declined. His decision to retire came after 2,130 consecutive games played, a record that stood for decades.
Death and Legacy
Lou Gehrig passed away on June 2, 1941, at the age of 37 due to complications from ALS. His legacy is so significant that the disease is commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. He remains a symbol of strength and resilience in sports history.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Rawhide | 1938-04-08 | Lou Gehrig |
| Reel Baseball: Baseball’s Golden Era the Way Americans Witnessed It | 2012-09-25 | Self (archive footage) |
| Speedy | 1928-04-07 | Lou Gehrig (uncredited) |
| The House of Steinbrenner | 2010-09-21 | Self (archive footage) |
| Springfield of Dreams: The Legend of Homer Simpson | 2017-10-20 | Self (archive footage) |
| Super Stars of Sports: Baseball | 1991-01-01 | Self (archive footage) |
| Zelig | 1983-07-15 | Self (archive footage) (uncredited) |
| Babe Ruth: The Man, the Myth, the Legend | 1990-04-25 | himself |