Lou Gehrig Net Worth

Lou Gehrig's Quotes

• "Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth." (during his retirement ceremony on July 4, 1939.)
• When asked whether he minded playing in the shadow of the Bambino all the time: "Babe Ruth has a pretty big shadow, it gives me lots of room to spread myself."
• Shortly before his death: "You have to get knocked down to realize how people really feel about you. I've realized that more than ever lately. The other day, I was on my way to the car. It was hailing, the streets were slippery and I was having a tough time of it. I came to a corner and started to slip. But before I could fall, four people jumped out of nowhere to help me. When I thanked them, they all said they knew about my illness and had been keeping an eye on me."
• "There is no room in baseball for discrimination. It is our national pastime and a game for all." (on baseball's infamous color barrier)
• I may have been given a bad break, but I've got an awful lot to live for. (Retirement speech, July 4 1939)

Interesting Facts about Lou Gehrig

1. His disease is best known as Lou Gehrig's disease.
2. Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, 1939. Played for the American League's New York Yankees, 1923-1939.
3. Uniform number 4 retired by the Yankees.
4. He retired with 23 grand slam home runs, the major league record. This record wasn't broken until 20 September 2013, when Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees hit his 24th.
5. Held the record for most consecutive games played until September of 1995, when Cal Ripken broke it.
6. Pictured on a 25¢ US commemorative postage stamp in the American Sports series, issued 10 June 1989. First-day-of-issue ceremonies were held at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of its dedication.
7. Interred at Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, New York, ironically just a few hundred yards from Babe Ruth, who is buried at Gate Of Heaven Cemetery. Over 60 years after his death fans continue to leave mementos at his and Eleanor's memorial. The date of birth on his headstone erroneously reads "1905".
8. His locker was left vacant by Yankee management out of respect for the late Yankee Captain until it was relocated to Baseball's Hall of Fame Museum in Cooperstown, New York after the Yankee Stadium renovation of 1974-1975.
9. Won Baseball's mythical "Triple Crown" in 1934 with 49 home runs, batting .363, and 165 runs batted in.
10. His "Luckiest Man" speech on July 4, 1939 is still regarded as one of baseball's most inspiring moments. That day to honor him at Yankee Stadium is also significant because it was the also the first-ever Old Timer's Day held by a Major League team. At the conclusion of his speech, which many believe was unwritten and unrehearsed, he was embraced by Babe Ruth. This ended a feud that had been going on for several years between the 2 former teammates, most likely having started as friction between their wives.
11. When Yankee Stadium was closed for major renovation in 1974-1975, Lou's wife was presented with first base.
12. Lou had the worst luck in having the spotlight taken from him. He not only played in Babe Ruth's shadow for over a decade; When Ruth was retired only one year, the New York Yankee spotlight was then put on an exciting rookie in 1936, Joe DiMaggio. On June 3, 1932 Lou hit 4 home runs in a game, perhaps the greatest and rarest batting achievement in a game there is. This national front page news was relegated to secondary status by the overshadowing news of long time New York Giant manager John J. McGraw's retirement announcement that same day.
13. Never wore a hat or overcoat, even on the coldest of days.
14. Member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity
15. New York Yankees All-Time RBI Leader (1,995).
16. Was the first athlete in any sport to have his uniform number retired.
17. 1927 American League MVP. Led American league in Games (155), Total Bases (447), Doubles (52), RBI (175), Extra-Base Hits (117), Times on Base (330).
18. 1934 American League Triple Crown Winner. Led American League in Batting Average (.363), On-Base Percentage (.465), Slugging Percentage (.706), Games (154), Total Bases (409), Home Runs (49), RBI (165) and Times on Base (321).
19. 1936 American League MVP. Led American League in On-Base Percentage (.478), Slugging Percentage (.696), Games (155), Runs (167), Home Runs (49), Base on Balls (130) and Times on Base (342).
20. Named to 7 American League All Star Teams (1933-1939).