Baseball Great Lou Gehrig’s Defiance Of Reality During The Last Week Of His Career
The New York Yankees’ first baseman and future Hall-of-Famer was one of the greatest players in MLB history
Baseball Hall-of-Famer Lou Gehrig played his final big-league game on April 30, 1939 due to his failing body. Leading up to that time, his effectiveness had dramatically fallen off because of the as-yet diagnosed disease that ultimately killed him within a couple of years. However, in the week leading up to his sudden and unexpected forced retirement, he remained defiant and thankful as he surveyed the landscape of what was truly a remarkable career.
Gehrig, also known as the “Iron Horse” because of his propensity of playing every game, was an absolute legend. The left-handed first baseman spent his entire 17-year career (1923–1939) with the New York Yankees. He batted a combined .340 with 493 home runs and 1,995 RBIs, winning two MVP awards. The team capitalized on having players like him, as they captured seven World Series titles during his tenure.
His numbers would have been even greater if not for having to retire prematurely at the age of 36 after suffering the initial stages of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which became known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. He was inducted in…
