Heinrich Ludwig Gehrig

Baseball has made many men into hero’s over the years. Definitely one of my hero’s would have he “Iron Man” Lou Gehrig. Lou Gehrig led a very interesting life and died very tragically and abruptly.

Born on June 19, 1903 in New York he already had many things standing in the way of getting what he wanted. He had three siblings which died young so his parents gave Lou a lot of attention. He grew up in the poor part of town and many people figured that he didn’t have much chance at making something of himself. In high school, he was told by his doctor he had a small heart and should give up all sports, he decided only to play baseball and football. He struck out on his first major league at-bat for the New York Yankees. Although he endured many hard times he still managed to turn pro.

Many people know what happened to him in his life, but many more know about his streak. On June 1, 1925 he began his consecutive game streak. Several years later he was surprised when a reporter asked him how he felt about approaching Everett Scott’s record of 1,307 consecutive games. He broke that record August 17, 1934. Many things stood in the way of him accomplishing that feat. For example, he was knocked unconscious during an exhibition game, but he came straight back from the doctor’s office and hit the field. It ended May 2, 1939 when he took himself out of the game. His record of 2,130 games played in a row was just recently shattered by Cal Ripken, Jr., of the Baltimore Orioles.

He made history in many ways other than the streak. He was the first player ever to hit four homeruns in one game, it would have been five but he was robbed by an outfielder. Obviously when ever someone hears the name Lou Gehrig they with think of his 2,130, but he did play in the first All-Star Game in 1933 and every other one until he retired. He got the first ever case of amyotrophic later sclerosis so it was coined, Lou Gehrig’s Disease. I will always remember his records and what he accomplished in his short life of 37 years

This intriguing man did many things in his short life. By the time he left baseball, he was one of the greatest hero’s of his time, and he still is. Many people idolize his talent and hard work. Baseball without Gehrig just wouldn’t be the same.