New York Yankees x Lou Gehrig [1932]

Recently, I've been on a tear with new purchases that it's literally becoming insane. Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in - and I'm talking about the hobby game. This player, however, has been on my want list for ages and I finally have a jersey of his within my collection. Today, we're taking a look at a New York Yankees Lou "The Iron Horse" Gehrig uniform circa 1932.


This was picked up at a graphic design studio downtown. The company hired a manufacturer to create custom made jerseys from a certain era in baseball. The uniform is made from some type of flannel with wool felt letters and number with 3/4 length sleeves.


Born in New York City, NY on 19 June 1903, Henry Louis "Lou" Gehrig attended Columbia University where scouts admired his baseball skills. The New York Yankees offered him a contract and would make his professional debut on 15 June 1923.


For the next 17 seasons, mostly batting alongside Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig became an accomplished superstar winning multiple AL MVP awards, batting titles, and World Series championships. In 1932, he became the third player in league history to hit four home runs in a single game.


One remarkable feat he accomplished was his consecutive games played streak. Since his debut in 1923, he has never missed a single game until 30 April 1939 where he would total an outstanding 2, 130 games - a record that stood for 56 years. Unfortunately, it was more than an injury that kept him to continue. He was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [ALS] which deteriorates muscles and affects bodily and neuron functions. Sadly, he would never play another game again.


His retirement was officially announced on 21 June 1939 and a pre-game ceremony was held on 4 July 1939 at Yankee Stadium. It was officially dubbed Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day and he would give his famous "luckiest man" speech. The New York Yankees would retire his jersey number in his honour.


Career Highlights and Achievements:
6x World Series Champion [1927-28, 1932, 1936-38], 2x AL MVP [1927, 1936], 7x MLB All-Star [1933-39], Triple Crown winner [1934], 3x AL Home Run leader [1931, 1934, 1936], MLB All-Time Team [first baseman, 1997], MLB All-Century Team [1999].


On 2 June 1941, two years after being diagnosed with ALS - Lou Gehrig passed away at the age of 37. Many organizations and medical practioners have been continuously contributing and researching on making Lou Gehrig's Disease a thing of the past.


"There is no room in baseball for discrimination. It is our national pastime and a game for all." - Lou Gehrig