On May 2nd in sports history, one significant event took place in 1939 when Lou Gehrig, the legendary first baseman for the New York Yankees, played his 2,130th consecutive game, surpassing Everett Scott's long-standing record of 2,129 consecutive games played.
Gehrig's incredible streak began on June 1, 1925, and lasted for 14 years. During this time, he earned the nickname "The Iron Horse" for his durability and consistency on the field. Gehrig's record-breaking game took place at Yankee Stadium against the Detroit Tigers. The Yankees won the game 7-2, with Gehrig going 2-for-5 at the plate, including a double and an RBI.
Gehrig's consecutive games played record stood for an astonishing 56 years until it was finally broken by Cal Ripken Jr. in 1995. However, Gehrig's streak remains a testament to his incredible perseverance and love for the game, especially considering the era in which he played, when travel conditions were more challenging, and players had to endure various hardships.
Sadly, Gehrig's illustrious career came to a premature end just a few weeks after breaking the consecutive games record. He was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a rare and incurable neuromuscular disease that would later become known as "Lou Gehrig's Disease." Gehrig retired from baseball on July 4, 1939, delivering his famous "Luckiest Man on the Face of the Earth" speech at Yankee Stadium. He passed away two years later at the age of 37.
Lou Gehrig's legacy as one of the greatest players in baseball history endures to this day, and his record-breaking game on May 2, 1939, remains a significant moment in sports history, highlighting his unwavering dedication to the game he loved.
