10. “Iron Horse” Lou Gehrig
During his MLB career, Lou Gehrig developed a reputation as a durable player with impressive strength. As a result, he earned the nickname “The Iron Horse.”
Gehrig’s power-hitting ability made him an instant star on a New York Yankees, where he won two American League MVP awards and six World Series titles in 15 seasons. His durability was evidenced by him appearing in 2,130 consecutive games, an MLB record that stood for 56 years.
His health would begin to deteriorate during the 1938 season, and “The Iron Horse” would appear in his last MLB game in April of the following year. Gehrig saw a tremendous decrease in his physical abilities, and his once legendary strength had diminished significantly. The changes were a result of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), known today as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease.”
Gehrig officially retired in June of 1939, shortly after news of his condition had become public. The following month, he addressed a sellout crowd at Yankee stadium
Gehrig’s “Luckiest Man on the Face of the Earth” speech from July 4, 1939 is one of the most unforgettable moments in sports history, during which he said goodbye to the fans in a way that displayed perseverance despite his deteriorating health.
"“Fans, for the past two weeks you have been reading about the bad break I got. Yet today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth. I have been in ballparks for seventeen years and have never received anything but kindness and encouragement from you fans.”"
Gehrig was elected to the baseball Hall of Fame that winter, as the Baseball Writers Association of America granted him early entrance due to his illness. “The Iron Horse” would pass away in 1941.
Next: 9. Mr. October