Achievements

Hit four home runs in one game on June 3, 1932.

Won the Triple Crown in 1934 when he led the American League in batting average (.363), home runs (49) and runs batted in (165).

Holds the record for most grand slams in a career with 23.

Hit 493 home runs in his career, setting the record for the most home runs hit by any first baseman in history until Mark McGwire hit 500.

Became the only player in history to drive in more than 500 runs in three years. He ushered in 174 runs in 1930, 184 in 1931 and 151 in 1932, for a total of 509.

His amazing total of 184 RBI’s in a single season (1931) is first In American League history and second in baseball history (behind Hack Wilson’s 190 RBI’s with the Chicago Cubs).

Set a record by playing in a consecutive streak of 2,130 professional baseball games throughout his career, despite 17 fractures in his hands, being beaned several times, having severe back pain and suffering various other illnesses and minor injuries. Gehrig’s record stood until Cal Ripken, Jr. broke it in 1995.

Became the first athlete to have his number retired. Upon his retirement from baseball in 1939, the New York Yankees retired his No. 4 jersey. Today, the practice of retiring jerseys numbers is carried out in most sports.

Was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1939. In light of his progressive illness, the usual two-year waiting period after a player retires was waived in Gehrig’s case.

In 1955, Gehrig’s Columbia fraternity Phi Delta Theta established the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award. Each year, it is awarded to the Major League player who best exemplifies Gehrig’s character and attitude.