Deseret News archives: Lessons from Lou Gehrig’s life

TL;DR

Lou Gehrig's streak of 2,130 consecutive games played ended on May 2, 1939, when he did not play against the Detroit Tigers. His career was ultimately cut short by a neuromuscular disease.

Key points

Lou Gehrig's streak of 2,130 consecutive games ended on May 2, 1939
He did not play against the Detroit Tigers on that day
Gehrig's career was cut short by a neuromuscular disease

Lou GehrigNew York YankeesDetroit Tigers

New York Yankees' Lou Gehrig, the "Iron Horse," wipes away a tear while speaking during a sold-out tribute at Yankee Stadium July 4, 1939. Gehrig's record-breaking career was cut short by neuromuscular disease. | Murray Becker

Editor’s note: This story was originally published on May 2, 2024.

A look back at local, national and world events through Deseret News archives.

There were no page-topping headlines in newspapers around the world announcing that on May 2, 1939, Lou Gehrig of the New York Yankees did not play against the Detroit Tigers at Briggs Stadium, ending his streak of 2,130 consecutive games played.

The Yankees star, a homegrown talent and one of the best baseball players of all time, had earned the nickname the “Iron Horse” by playing in every single game for nearly 14 years.

But the news was reported in most newspapers, including the Deseret News.