- He retired with 23 grand slam home runs, the major league record. This record wasn't broken until 20 September 2013, when Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees hit his 24th.
- Was the first athlete in any sport to have his uniform number retired.
- When Yankee Stadium was closed for major renovation in 1974-1975, Lou's wife was presented with first base.
- Died exactly sixteen years to the day after he replaced Wally Pipp at first base.
- Uniform number 4 retired by the Yankees.
- Won Baseball's mythical "Triple Crown" in 1934 with 49 home runs, batting .363, and 165 runs batted in.
- His "Luckiest Man" speech on July 4, 1939 is still regarded as one of baseball's most inspiring moments. That day to honor him at Yankee Stadium is also significant because it was the also the first-ever Old Timer's Day held by a Major League team. At the conclusion of his speech, which many believe was unwritten and unrehearsed, he was embraced by Babe Ruth. This ended a feud that had been going on for several years between the 2 former teammates, most likely having started as friction between their wives.
- New York Yankees All-Time RBI Leader (1,995).
- In 1934, he became the first professional athlete to appear on a box of Wheaties cereal.
- Interred at Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, New York, ironically just a few hundred yards from Babe Ruth, who is buried at Gate Of Heaven Cemetery. Over 60 years after his death fans continue to leave mementos at his and Eleanor's memorial. The date of birth on his headstone erroneously reads "1905".
- His locker was left vacant by Yankee management out of respect for the late Yankee Captain until it was relocated to Baseball's Hall of Fame Museum in Cooperstown, New York after the Yankee Stadium renovation of 1974-1975.
- Was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis on his thirty-sixth birthday.
- 1936 American League MVP. Led American League in On-Base Percentage (.478), Slugging Percentage (.696), Games (155), Runs (167), Home Runs (49), Base on Balls (130) and Times on Base (342).
- Named to 7 American League All Star Teams (1933-1939).
- The baseball Hall of Fame waived its five-year waiting period for election and enshrined Gehrig in 1939. To date, only one other ballplayer has received that honor, Roberto Clemente.
- His disease is best known as Lou Gehrig's disease.
- Held the record for most consecutive games played until September of 1995, when Cal Ripken broke it.
- Pictured on a 25¢ US commemorative postage stamp in the American Sports series, issued 10 June 1989. First-day-of-issue ceremonies were held at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of its dedication.
- Lou had the worst luck in having the spotlight taken from him. He not only played in Babe Ruth's shadow for over a decade; When Ruth was retired only one year, the New York Yankee spotlight was then put on an exciting rookie in 1936, Joe DiMaggio. On June 3, 1932 Lou hit 4 home runs in a game, perhaps the greatest and rarest batting achievement in a game there is. This national front page news was relegated to secondary status by the overshadowing news of long time New York Giant manager John J. McGraw's retirement announcement that same day.
- 1934 American League Triple Crown Winner. Led American League in Batting Average (.363), On-Base Percentage (.465), Slugging Percentage (.706), Games (154), Total Bases (409), Home Runs (49), RBI (165) and Times on Base (321).
- Made major league debut on 15 June 1923.
- Contrary to what's shown in the film "Pride Of The Yankees", Lou's wife Eleanor and Lou's mother hated each other intensely. So much so that when Lou died, Eleanor refused to give his mother some of his personal effects (i.e.: clothes, baseball gear, etc.) for keepsakes. And when "Pride" was made, Eleanor refused to share the money she was paid as a technical consultant despite the fact that Lou's parents were relatively poor. The only thing Eleanor did for his parents was put them on a small monthly "allowance". All of this comes from Lou Gerhig's biography "Luckiest Man" by Johnathan Eig.
- Lou was scouted by legendary New York Giants manager John McGraw when he was still in college. Despite Lou's massive home run power, McGraw passed on Gherig because he wasn't a good fielding first baseman. McGraw was an "old fashioned" manager who vocally disapproved of home run hitters.
- Inducted into the Columbia University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006 (inaugural class).
- Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, 1939. Played for the American League's New York Yankees, 1923-1939.
- Never wore a hat or overcoat, even on the coldest of days.
- Member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity
- 1927 American League MVP. Led American league in Games (155), Total Bases (447), Doubles (52), RBI (175), Extra-Base Hits (117), Times on Base (330).
- Member of 1923, 1927-1928, 1932 and 1936-1939 World Series Champion New York Yankees teams. Member of 1926 American League Champion New York Yankees team.
- Popular legend has it that Lou Gerhig replaced Wally Pipp at first base because Pipp was suffering from a concussion and unable to play. While the concussion did happen, it would be months later before he was benched in favor of Lou Gerhig. In reality, manager Miller Huggins replaced Pipp because of poor performance (he was hitting below .200 with no more power). Even then, it wouldn't be until the following year before Lou became a full-time first baseman.
- Inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content