It’s June 2nd. A day to remember Lou Gehrig of the New York Yankees, who used to be one of the legends in his era. A man who had a record of playing 2130 consecutive baseball games with 17 fractures in his hands. From his unwavering commitment to the game to his impressive stats, Gehrig’s life is a hot topic till now. He had a career batting average of .340 with a .632 slugging percentage and a .447 on-base average. But have you ever given it a thought why the Yankees legend is called “the luckiest man”? Well, we are going to take you all around some key information that you may be willing to know about.
Who was Lou Gehrig? Everything you need to know about the New York Yankees legend
Born on June 19, 1903, Lou Gehrig was often regarded as one of the best hitters for the New York Yankees at that time. He was often outshone by players like Babe Ruth, but there’s no denying the fact that Gehrig was equally good. He studied at Columbia University prior to joining the Yankees, where he played at first base. Gehrig established himself as one of the rising stars in MLB at that time, as he went on to record 184 runs in the American League in a single season in 1931. Not to forget his four home runs on June 3, 1932, which was a record at that time.
More impactful were Lou Gehrig’s knocks in the seven World Series appearances. In the 34 games he played, his batting average was .361; he managed to post ten home runs and drove in 35 runs as well. While we can carry on talking about his stats all the time, there’s something else, too, which makes us remember the legend. Lou Gehrig was diagnosed with a nervous system disorder named amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS in 1939 and finally retired. However, such was his legacy that he was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame and was removed in the same year itself.
What is his association with June 2? All to know as MLB commemorates fifth annual Lou Gehrig Day
The baseball world calls June 2 Lou Gehrig Day. The reason is that Gehrig started as a first baseman for the New York Yankees on that date. Not only did this date mark the beginning of his consecutive game streak, but it also bears significance in remembering him every year, on his day, while spreading awareness about the ALS disease from which Gehrig suffered. To this date, every year, on this day, players, coaches, and managers don the uniform with “4” decals. And for those teams that do not have any games on June 2, they will show their respect towards the legend on June 1, Sunday.
So, while we all are aware of his association with June 2, on this day, MLB ensures honoring the legacy of the legend while raising awareness of ALS. It will not only help in keeping people knowledgeable about the works related to the disorder but also help those who are in need of treatment. It is a great way to showcase the legacy Lou Gehrig left behind and how people lost to the health disorder. But yes, it’s a learning experience for many and how they may cope with the disorder in the upcoming years too.
For those unaware of how they can witness MLB honoring the legend, a tribute video of Lou Gehrig will be aired on MLB Central, specifically nominated by the Emmy, on Monday at 10 a.m. The video will be displayed across the ballparks on June 1 and also on June 2, also known as Lou Gehrig Day.
Another great move by the MLB is the auction that will allow people to collect Lou Gehrig Day TOPPS NOW cards. These cards are autographed by players selected by Sarah Langs, who somehow is connected to players and their support for the ALS community. Now let’s get on with how the disease was named after Lou Gehrig.
Why is a disease named after him? The storied truth about it
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS, is a nervous disease that affects the brain cells and the spine. Not only does it gradually cause difficulty in muscle control and movement, but it also affects mobility and makes it harder for people to breathe, which may lead to severe health consequences.
Lou Gehrig announced his retirement soon after that, on July 4, 1939, where he gave a special speech on being the “luckiest man”. He finally passed away a couple of years later, leaving behind his legacy.
While the actual cause of this disease is not known yet, in some cases, it may be inherited. To this date, there’s no cure for it. Such is the severity of the disease that it can even lead to permanent paralysis of the person. However, it can be regulated with proper treatment, and the progression can be slowed down to a greater extent, thus improving the overall quality of life too.
To commemorate June 2 as Lou Gehrig Day, MLB has done a lot to support the ALS community. Be it raising funds through charity to benefit organizations like the ALS Association, ALS Therapy Development Institute, ALS CURE project, etc. or partnering with the clubs to spread awareness among the patients in their fight against the disease.
With all the efforts and commitments, we will continue remembering the legend and this day will remain etched in our memories for a long, long time.
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