Lou Gehrig
Legendary first baseman
Lou Gehrig was an American baseball player for the New York Yankees, celebrated for his powerful hitting and remarkable durability—he played 2,130 consecutive games, earning the nickname "The Iron Horse." His career ended when he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), now commonly called Lou Gehrig's disease.
His 1939 farewell speech declared himself "the luckiest man on the face of the earth."
Northeastern metropolis and state
- pinstripesThin lines on cloth
- Bronx BombersNew York baseball team
- Yankee StadiumNew York baseball venue
- retired numberPermanently reserved team designation
dynasty · 1927 · World Series · championships · American League · Babe Ruth · Joe DiMaggio · teammates
Motor neuron disease
- motor neuronsNerves controlling muscle activation
- neurodegenerationProgressive loss of neurons
- muscle atrophyShrinkage from disuse
- progressiveFavoring reform and innovation
weakness · paralysis · speech loss · respiratory failure · diagnosis · farewell speech · courage · research
Hits divided by attempts
- home runsHits clearing the outfield fence
- RBIsRuns credited to batter
- Triple CrownThree-event championship sweep
- MVPBest player award
All-Star · slugger · grand slams · doubles · runs scored · Hall of Fame · Cooperstown · records
Formal goodbye address
- heroOne admired for courage
- iconPictorial screen symbol
- sportsmanshipEthical athletic conduct
- humilityFreedom from arrogance
grace · courage · inspiration · memorial · tribute · honored · beloved · tragic
Poetic name for trains
- streakUnbroken series
- durabilityResistance to wear
- reliabilityConsistent, predictable performance
- enduranceSustained effort capacity
stamina · dedication · perseverance · Cal Ripken Jr. · record · unbroken · dependable · workhorse
New York
Northeastern metropolis and state
- pinstripesThin lines on cloth
- Bronx BombersNew York baseball team
- Yankee StadiumNew York baseball venue
retired number · dynasty · 1927 · World Series · championships · American League · Babe Ruth · Joe DiMaggio · teammates · captain
ALS
Motor neuron disease
- motor neuronsNerves controlling muscle activation
- neurodegenerationProgressive loss of neurons
- muscle atrophyShrinkage from disuse
progressive · weakness · paralysis · speech loss · respiratory failure · diagnosis · farewell speech · courage · research · clinical trials
batting average
Hits divided by attempts
- home runsHits clearing the outfield fence
- RBIsRuns credited to batter
- Triple CrownThree-event championship sweep
MVP · All-Star · slugger · grand slams · doubles · runs scored · Hall of Fame · Cooperstown · records
farewell speech
Formal goodbye address
- heroOne admired for courage
- iconPictorial screen symbol
- sportsmanshipEthical athletic conduct
humility · grace · courage · inspiration · memorial · tribute · honored · beloved · tragic · dignity
Iron Horse
Poetic name for trains
- streakUnbroken series
- durabilityResistance to wear
- reliabilityConsistent, predictable performance
endurance · stamina · dedication · perseverance · Cal Ripken Jr. · record · unbroken · dependable · workhorse · toughness
- 1920s AthletesBabe Ruth, Jack Dempsey, Ty Cobb
- 1930s FiguresFDR, Franklin Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt, Herbert Hoover, Babe Ruth
- First BasemenAlbert Pujols, Mark McGwire
- Baseball LegendsBabe Ruth, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams
- Baseball HistoryBabe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Ty Cobb
- YankeesDerek Jeter, Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra
Lou GehrigBo Jackson
Dual-sport professional athlete
Cal Ripken Jr. · fragile · unreliable · day-to-day · glass
Lou GehrigBabe Ruth
Legendary Yankees slugger
Reggie Jackson · showboat · hotdog · self-promoter · brash
Lou GehrigNolan Ryan
longevity · Willie Mays · Hank Aaron · Cal Ripken Jr. · healthy aging