Lou Gehrig By 707toaster Jun 19, 1903 Henry Louis Gehrig born to Christina and Heinrich Gehrig. Henry Louis Gehrig born June 19, 1903 to Christina and Heinrich Gehrig. Period: Jun 19, 1903 to Jun 2, 1941 The Life and Death of Lou Gehrig Jan 27, 1921 Gehrig graduates from Commerce High School. Apr 30, 1923 Gehrig signs his first contract with the New York Yankees. Jun 15, 1923 Gehrig makes his major league debut. Jul 7, 1923 Gehrig gets his first major league hit as a Yankee. Aug 1, 1923 Gehrig is bumped down to the minors after "sitting too long on the bench." Aug 13, 1926 Gehrig amashes two home runs against Hall of Famer pitcher Walter Johnson. Sep 19, 1926 Gehrig hits in a tremendous game, winning the pennant for the Yanks. Jun 23, 1927 Gehrig hits three homers in one game for the first time. Jul 1, 1927 By this date, Gehrig and Babe Ruth tied for most home runs. (The beginning of the greatest home run race of all time. -Paul Gallico). Sep 25, 1929 Yankees manager Miller Huggins dies. Oct 29, 1929 Stock Market crashes. Aug 17, 1932 Gehrig breaks the all-time consecutive games played record hel by Everett Scott (1,308). Sep 29, 1932 Gehrig marries Eleanor Twitchell. Sep 19, 1936 Gehrig is awarded a scroll in honor of his 1,800th consecutive perfomance. May 31, 1938 Gehrig plays in his 2,000th consecutive game. Jan 13, 1939 "Colonel" Jacob Ruppert, Yankees G.M., dies of a heart attack at seventy-one years old. May 2, 1939 Gehrig tells manager Joe McCarthy he's ready to take a seat on the bench. Jun 21, 1939 Gehrig finally benches himself after 2,130 consecutive games played. Jul 4, 1939 Gehrig makes his "Luckiest Man" speech. Also Lou Gehrig Apreciation Day. Dec 7, 1939 Gehrig is elected to the Hall of Fame Jan 5, 1940 Gehrig begins his medical treatment for ALS. Jun 2, 1941 Lou Gehrig dies at the age of 37 of ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).