Evening star., 1957-04-19
WIN, LOSE OR
UkAW sy FRANCIS s1AAA.
The Iron Horse Was Serious

consecutive major league game the Horse taking
his durability seriously. Stan Musia who played in his
76th straight game last night despite ang back
seemed to pay much attention
Stan talking Of his streak at ST. Petersburg this
spring. saying I'm not really durable but have been lucky
No, don't think in terms of playing every the
schedule. Don't forget I'm getting along in years"
Gehrg the other hand, took intense and proper
pride in his string of 230 consecutive games record that
looms formidable than Babe Ruths go home
in 1927 Time and again Lou played when the average
would have sat out game here and there.
He played when finger broken, and when toe
broken He hated conditioned Pulmans and fire.
quenty caught colds yet he played Once in Norolk-t
early in 1882 1885, If memory servesthe Yankees
played exhibition Wild fast-balng minor Lacquer hit
Gehrig squarely in the head.
BY THIS TIME LOUIS STRING which started June 2.
1925 of national Importance and many words were
written of the possibility nay probability that when the
Yankees played in Washington the following day. Satur
day. there would be no Gehrig on first base.
Gehrig played The first three times at bat Old Rawhide
hit consecutive triples 1t monumental demonstration
of stamina courage and skill 1t also rained before five
complete innings and Gehrgs triples entered
into the records Nor, of course was his game.
1t in Washington, you know. that <Gehrg really
started his incredible streak After the Yankees had lost
five straight Manager Miller Higgins shook up his lineup
for 10 previous way Ppp onetme Catholic Uni
versty star.
Taking Pipps place was Gehrig Who having pinch hit
the day before played the second game of the fantastic
streak of 230 in Once in while the veteran Pipp
shared the bag with Rookie Gehrg usually for defensive
purposes but month after Lou took command-July D
Pipp eliminated completely. He hit In the temple
during batting practice and sold to Cincinnati the next
winter.
The Yankees went through the next l3 without
needing No. first baseman. Gehrig was plenty
MUsIAL NOR ANY OTHER ball field athlete especially
in this Of night ball. could hope match the
durability durability spelled
out other records. For instance:
Twentythree he hit homers with the bases filled
major league record Gehrg also hit four consecutive home
in ninenning game and In three other games he
hit three hoers apiece Space does not permit recording
all Of his records but
His major league average $40. He made 2,72l hits
including 493 homers l61 triples and 535 doubles In "a
World Series he averaged 3sl During his he
accepted 20598 fielding chances not bad for hulk of
man properly recognized for defensive skills
The only thing Gehrig couldn't win, apparently, his
battle against the disease which caused his death In the
spring of 1889 in training he appeared robust and well
but when he swung hard and met pitch the ball didn't
anywhere Still. he was Lou Gehrig and not even Joe
Mccarthy who then managing the Yankees dared tc
bench him.
THE OFFICIAL SCORER on opening day of 1899
Yankees Senators-ran into plight routine ground
ball handled by the left side Of the New York nheld
and from the press the throw appeared goodust
shoulder high Gehrg raised his goved hand but far toe
late The ball whzzed past and the mystieed
everybody else Was it for Gehrig? An
on the throw?
In the back Of the mind Of course, the thought
that sick man was playing first base for the Yankees
big strong no relexes About two weeks later
Gehrg himself called halt to his phenomenal streak.
On April 30 1899, he walked up to Mccarthy and saic
before game time:
I'm not doing the ball club any good joe Why dont
you play Babe2"
Babe" Dalghren He wasn't much hitter nor FIRST
haseman Perhaps he is best remembered the who
replaced Gehrig after 2l30 consecutive games
Mccarthy, who knew Gehrg wasn't helping the club
nodded In reluctant agreement and Lou team captain
handed the teams official lineup to the plate umpire He
remained with the Yankees during the 80 season but before
the end Of II Lou knew he was destined to die,
He passed away June 2, l94l. 1t was June g. 1925
remember that he started his streak Somebody may break
HDths record but its hardly likely that anybody will match
Gehrigs. which he ended on his bwn.