(National Baseball Hall of Fame Library/MLB via Getty Images)
By Cale Eirich
The MLB announced plans on Thursday to honor Yankee Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig with a day of his own, making him the third player to be distinguished with the honor. ‘The Iron Horse’ will be celebrated annually on June 2, joining fellow greats Jackie Robinson (April 15) and Roberto Clemente (Sept. 7), according to CBS Sports.
On Lou Gehrig day, players, managers and coaches will wear special uniforms with “4-ALS” patches - 4 being Gehrig’s number, according to the MLB. Teams that do not play on June 2 will celebrate the following day, the league added.
June 2, 1925, marks the day that Lou Gehrig became the starting first baseman for the Yankees, becoming a permanent fixture in the Bronx Bombers lineup. Gehrig batted cleanup behind Babe Ruth, and was the anchor of what would be remembered as ‘Murderers’ Row.’
Gehrig played in 2,130 consecutive games from 1925-1939, a record that stood for nearly 56 years until it was broken by Cal Ripken Jr. in 1995. Over his 17-season career, Gehrig hit 493 home runs and batted .340/.447/.632 with a 179 OPS+ (3rd all-time behind only Ted Williams and Babe Ruth). In the course of his career, Gehrig won two MVPs, was selected to seven All-Star teams, claimed six World Series championships, and won one Triple Crown.
Gehrig was forced to walk away from baseball abruptly in 1939 after being diagnosed with ALS, a progressive nervous system disease. He is perhaps most famous for his farewell speech where he declared himself as “the luckiest man on the face of the earth.” The speech was given shortly after his diagnosis of ALS, the disease which now bears his name.
Gehrig was elected to the MLB Hall of Fame in 1939, before passing away on June 2, 1941.
The decision to honor Gehrig comes after a campaign led by the “Lou Gehrig Day Committee” (www.lg4day.com), which is made up of individuals, families and friends afflicted by ALS, according to a statement from the MLB.
The focus of Lou Gehrig Day will be on three pillars: (1) remembering the legacy of Gehrig and all those lost to the disease that bears his name; (2) raising awareness and funds for research of ALS; and (3) celebrating the groups and individuals who have led the pursuit for cures. This special occasion follows a campaign led by the "Lou Gehrig Day Committee" (www.lg4day.com), which is comprised of individuals, family and friends affected by ALS, as well as organizations leading the way on awareness and fundraising for the movement to end the disease.
“Major League Baseball is thrilled to celebrate the legacy of Lou Gehrig, whose humility and courage continue to inspire our society,” Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “While ALS has been closely identified with our game since Lou’s legendary career, the pressing need to find a cure remains. We look forward to honoring all the individuals and families, in baseball and beyond, who have been affected by ALS and hope Lou Gehrig Day advances efforts to defeat this disease.”