Lou Gehrig was the living embodiment of excellence and reliability on the field. When he started underperforming in 1938, many suspected something was going on. From: SPORTS DETECTIVES: Gehrig's Bat, Gibson's Ball bit.ly/23avzF8
He was an amazingly brave man. All neurological and autoimmune diseases are horrible. My wife was diagnosed with progressive multiple sclerosis just a year after we were married in 1992. She was paralyzed only eight months later. I took care of her for nine years, but she then needed a nursing facility. I was with her every single day until the disease took her on April 28, 2019, at the age of 54. I miss you Janine, and I will always love you❤
@@My_Fair_Lady He brought a lot of enjoyment to a lot of people, even though he was "just a ball player". He worked hard at what he did, and his story has helped, and encouraged, scores of people, over time and up to today.
My little brother was diagnosed with ALS when he was 44 years old. He died at 45. Cowboy, Truthsayer, Lone Wolf. He could drive anything from a Peterbuilt to a 10 second race car. He was my hero. He died as a courageous, upright, faithful Christian man. DNR and no assisted means of hanging on to this life. I miss him.
Before my dad got worse and was about to lose his voice, he told my mom he actually may have had symptoms waaay before. He was in the Texas National Guard and said that during trainings on the weekends he was losing his touch in running and shooting and feeling weak. It took a while before he was actually diagnosed. He died in 2007 at the age of 58. RIP dad. I miss you so much and I wish you could have been here to spoil my kids =(
I’m so very sorry for your loss😔😪. It’s never easy to lose a dad under any circumstances, but to lose him to ALS........such a cruel disease. 58 is much too young. May God hold you and comfort you.
So sorry for your loss. I remember when my favorite boss was starting to complain of arm and muscle weakness. For him to complain of anything was unheard of. He died at age 57 from ALS.
Just got diagnosed 2 weeks ago....spent 12 years in the USMC including a rotation as a DI....it has no preferences.....I’m still pretty much ok.....very frightening.....I’m not looking for attention or any responses....sometimes I just need to tell people just to deal....God bless Lou and everyone who has had this and everyone battling this and their families.....it really sucks....no other way to put it....thanks everyone for reading this if you did
Taking that a step further: during the years Ruth and Gehrig played together, Gehrig came to the plate around 600 times with the bases empty (more than a full seasons worth of ABs) and still drove in 2000 runs....even with his career shortened.
@@roseforyoubabe And he made the most of those opportunities. But there were at least 60 times he came to the plate with NO ONE on base. That was the point of my post. In 1/12 of his plate appearances, the bases were empty. And, Gehrig walked only 28 times fewer than Ruth.
The doctor who examined Gehrig knew right away that he had ALS because the doctor's mother had died from that same horrible disease not long before that, and he was quite familiar with the symptoms.
Mike Foley that in of it self allows the possibility of a misdiagnosis. Not saying it was but that sure didn't contribute to a unbiased diagnosis...quite the opposite.
Chris_Gullett this has been speculated by others reject the theory. The Mayo Clinic has refused to release his medical records, and say even that wouldn't fully solve the mystery--only an autopsy would, but he was cremated, so obviously that's not possible either.
@@ADEAL918 His fairly quick diagnosis was I’m sure helped by being able to go to one of the top hospitals in the country and his famous status. Many many people go for years probably just seeing their family doctor. And many men don’t go to doctors regularly. It is a rare disease and the initial symptoms can also be so many other things. So sad.
I live two blocks away from the home he lived in. It's in New Rochelle. The street is even named after him. Everytime I drive or walk by the house I can't help but to smile. My favorite yankee till this day. Rest easy Lou. Bronx Bomber forever.
This comment section is a memorial to so many beloved lives lost to such a cruel disease. My heart breaks for everyone who lost someone, and for anyone suffering this disease. I dearly hope a cure comes one day.
My Dad died from this horrible disease. My heart wept every day as I watched my Dad wither away from this. It took over 12 years. RIP to my Dad. I miss you.
Snodge Kat Thank you so much for your heartfelt comment. My mother passed away from this horrible disease 28 years ago. It was heartbreaking and I sincerely hope one day a cure will be found.
I am early stages ALS and slow progressing. I used to love baseball when I was younger (37 now) but the game lost something along the way. These era players were something special.
We knew something was wrong when my dad's knee kept going out for no reason. He was the strongest person I've ever known. I lost him on June 5, 2000, to ALS and I miss him every day.
@@trappersurge6364 I'm so sorry about your friend. ALS has to be just about the cruelest disease on the planet. At least with cancer, there's a *chance* of beating it. ALS is a death sentence. Again, I'm sorry about your friend.
My brother died almost four years ago of ALS. He went down quickly. At first he couldn't walk without a cane. Then he went to a walker. He ended up in an electric wheelchair. He had problems eating the drs wanted to out in a stomach tube, but he wouldn't have it done. He also had sleep apnea. He lived this way for two years. He died in his sleep. I cooked alot of meals for him in between my three spine surgeries. As soon as I could stand up and walk I was cooking for him. I had my last spine surgery last August. With the first three he came to the hospital and ate lunch with me everyday. And he called every day. He was such a sweet big brother and my Godfather. I miss him so much.
it least he's not suffering no more and when you see him again he will thank you you doing all that stuff for him what a nice loving sister ❤️❤️ ps i hope you are doing well
There have been several very kind comments here over the years. As an ALS patient, I thank you for your concern, and hope that you would support Medicare for All. Here is one reason why (out of many.) ALS very often affects young people. The most recently accepted treatment, Radicava, is an antioxidant given through infusion: 10 infusions over a 14-day period during a 28-day cycle. The cost is close to $150,000.00 per year. Because I’m retired, I’m on Medicare; I also can afford an excellent supplement to my Medicare B account. Unless they are from wealthy families, young ALS patients cannot afford Radicava. Any of the treatments now under clinical trial would also be out of their reach once they have been approved, because of the exorbitant cost of new drugs in this country. The United States of America cannot be truly great until all our citizens have access to the best healthcare available. I rest my case.
Thank you for telling your story. I will keep voting for and championing healthcare for all. We spend more than $700,000,000,000 a year on our military. One percent of that single-year budget would pay for that drug's inflated sticker price for EVERY ALS patient in the country for the next 10 years. When they say we can't afford it, they're lying.
My mom had it. She died July 2020. It's such a horrible disease that blew our entire family out of the water. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. My mom was 67. I'm happy and so very thankful she's not suffering anymore.
I lost my precious neighbor and friend to ALS, from the time he was diagnosed to his rapidly deteriorating body that ultimately took his life was 10 mths. He not once ever complained and stayed positive and at peace, what an inspiration. You are truly missed, Danny.
So tragic for anyone to come down with this...Mr Gehrig had so much talent, class and spirit...a true love for the game...and what a humble man too. RIP.
...and the avg hitter didnt have video clips and advanced scouting reports to know how to prepare for a pitcher.. and the avg hitter didn't have their own batting coach helping them correct flaws. Every generation of player gets advantages over the previous. You determine someones greatness compared to their peers and how they performed against them. Stop being a douche.
I didn't say he was a douche.. I told him to stop acting like one. Anyway, the implication he gave was that it was easier for hitters to hit back then - which, as I pointed out, is true for hitters TODAY - but you cannot compare hitters/pitchers from one era to another.
Ken Donato quote “Stop being a douche”. I know nothing about baseball, but what the dude wrote had no inclination of being a douche. Maybe a batter choice of insults next time.
They're getting closer. There's a strong link between an amino acid called BMAA that's found in certain algae and the development of ALS. The good news is that if this link holds up, treatments and maybe even a cure will be developed. I think we'll see it someday soon.
I lost my Mom in 2005 to ALS. She fought really hard every day . I thought I knew what courage was until I saw her fight so hard and she showed me what it really is. I hope and pray every day that they will find a cure.
It took mine at the same age, however my parents divorced and he remarried so I didn't experience the day to day struggle especially when it reduces you to an invalid w/out any dignity. I pray for those yet to get it they will find a cure.
My dad was a huge Yankees and Lou Gehrig fan. He was 17 when Gehrig was moved out of the clean up spot in favor of DiMaggio. He never forgave the Yankees for that and became a Brooklyn Dodgers fan.
Gehrig was a chisled athletic machine. Find a pic of him with no shirt showing his back muscles. Lifetime average of 340, 1995 Rbi, 492hr. He stopped playing at 35. Could have played another 5-6 yrs and his numbers would have soared. A true LEGEND!
My step father was diagnosed in June of 2019. Passed away in March 2020. This disease moves fast. So if your love one has it. Cherish what ever time you have left with them.
Such a role model for other people. He gave it his all. When he was down he still tried to do his best. I have never seen him play only on video but I admire the man immensely. I take my hat off to the Iron Horse.
My aunt died from it. Hers started in her throat. She was unable to swallow. That was in the 70s. A friend of mine died at 31, leaving behind her husband and 3 kids children ages 15, 11 and 18 months. Hers started with a slight limp. She was diagnosed in May and died in December. Her husband did all of her personal care himself. Towards the end, she was bedridden and could only breathe by throwing her head back and gasping for air. It was awful. 😢
My aunt had ALS. She was a retired teacher who still volunteered every week reading to students in the elementary school. It was so sad that her voice and swallowing was taken away from her, it was her gift to be able to teach and to read to people. She decided she didn’t wanna live like that and she quit eating. She died within a few months. Then her sister, my mother found out she had leukemia and she did the same thing she just quit eating. They died within six months of each other.
I have no words. May they both rest in Peace, and may your heart be at peace for them. And I hope that their misfortune never touches you or your family again.
He would probably have the career record for runs, total bases, extra base hits and RBI. Top 5 in hits, doubles and home runs. Maybe top 10 in triples.
My mom had it for 9 years she was 65 when she passed away 4 years ago on Christmas Day 2016 they were married for 39 years before she passed away RIP Mom I hope they find a cure it's a Horrible disease ❤🙏🏻
@Shamus Beaglehole no my mom and my dad were married for 39 years before she passed away from Als I'm happy she's at peace but it's hardest for my dad his companion is gone I hope they find a cure
I heard a story that Gehrig had a teammate that would routinely jump on his back to celebrate wins. Well during the course of the 1938 season Gehrig was having difficulty carrying said teammate on his back. Thats also a sign that Gehrig knew something was wrong with his body.
So heartbreaking to watch a majestic player felled by this disease. This is my first time watching this story. I my Uncle Phil chopped down and ravaged by ALS as a 13 yo kid first. Uncle Yeaux (Phil) played college football and coached high school ball. He was a giant that just gradually ‘melted’ . Fast forward to 96. My high school sweetheart and I had just reconnected. . He played ball too. Another robust giant. He showed up to training camp all excited to be on a new team and was diagnosed during pre-season physicals at age 28. He refused mechanical ventilation at the end. He ‘melted’ like Uncle Yeaux. We buried him in our home town in 98. He was 31. I’m a DPT and I see ALS patients more often than I would like to. May is ALS awareness month. I don’t work for the ALS foundations but I do donate. And if you can, donate to any ALS foundation. There are so MANY ways to give even if you don’t have money. ❤️
I've only witnessed from My Aunt losing her Mother in Law. I met her and she was vibrant, within a year she was gone. I think this is one of the Cruelest diseases. God Bless all that have been dealt with this. 💔😥
ALS is so horrible. Watching my uncle waste away and suffer so needlessly was heart breaking. In the end all I could do was tell him I loved him and I would kiss him on the head. He would grunt. 6 months before that he was still talking to me and having full conversations. I miss him. Best man I ever knew!!!
This has always been so sad. Had he retained his health, no telling how high his numbers would have gone. I haven't read much about his personal life, but I'd guess he was a descent kind of guy. I wonder if any of his family are left living today? I don't even know if he and his wife ever had any children. Greatest first baseman for his time and maybe for any time.
We just found out my grandfather has this. They think he is in his second year with it. This has been around so long and so publicized but yet still no cure. Most people don’t even know what it is. I truly hope that no one has to go through this.
This is a horrific disease. I watched my sister fight 2 years beyond her death date because of her two sets of twin girls. Suddenly everything just started to be lost one after the other. Her ability to speak, walk, swallow. She became like a person with complete paralysis. Then the breathing muscles forced her into an oxygen tent where a machine forced air into her lungs in order for her to breathe. That all happened within the last year and she was gone. It is a travesty that because the numbers are relatively low, little to no research has been done to help treat this horrific disease. Big Pharma is all about maximizing their profits. A sad yet very real fact.
American Woman wow I’m truly sorry. She is in the best place with no sickness and no pain. She seems like a true fighter. Can I ask how old she was? And how long did she have it? My younger grandfather just got it but they think he’s had it for one maybe two years now. I wish nothing but the best for her girls and the rest of her family.
@whyyeseyec No. What he’s saying is that MAYBE 5 thousand people get diagnosed with ALS in the U.S. each year compared to something like cancer (which is just as horrible) where hundreds of thousands get diagnosed every year. The research required for a cure to something as complicated as ALS would cost as much, if not more money than is being spent on cancer research and there would be not only no profit from it, but a huge loss. Get it? Not enough people get the disease for them to make a profit.
My father knew something wasn’t right when he couldn’t pick up a golf ball. Then he dropped his keys. He died young, 52. Major, US Army. Only 6000 cases nationwide at the time, and the military represented a high percentage of cases.
A lot of diseases caused by environmental concerns. Read a medical report a couple of weeks ago where they fear a Parkinson disease epidemic caused by environmental issues! Scary!!
@@brucedeerhaven my dad was an Atomic Veteran, viewed atomic bomb testing in Nevada in an open trench with nothing but protective eyewear. “I saw my buddies’ bones, like x-rays.” He was dead six years later.
Gehrig was not only a great player, he was such a humble, decent human being. Nothing against Cal Ripken, Jr. who broke Gehrig’s record of playing in consecutive games (as a shortstop!) but Gehrig actually took himself out of the line up for the good of the team. What a selfless guy. Who knows how many other games he would have played in, were it not for ALS? Also, Ripken had the luxury of the 1994 season being canceled, due to the players’ strike and the shortened 1995 season, again for the same reason. He might not have played in all the canceled games, for all we know. I realize I probably sound disrespectful to Ripken, Jr & apologize if I am coming across that way, but Lou probably would still hold the consecutive games played record, were it not for ALS. He died so incredibly young. The Yankees didn’t even help him, and he was forced to work as a parole officer to pay the bills. Today, of course, that would never happen. If Derek Jeter showed signs of having ALS or any other incurable disease, the Yankees would do everything to help him, even if this occurred after his playing days. The Mayo Clinic kind of adopted Gehrig, telling him he had a 50/50 chance of beating the disease, even though they knew fully well he would die. But that actually seemed to prolong Gehrig’s life - he would acclaim himself as “the 50/50 guy!” Mayo doctors believed Gehrig didn’t actually realize he was going to die until his last few days on earth. Players today should take a lesson from Gehrig: he was an incredible but humble man who was devoted to his wife, Eleanor. And his “Luckiest Man” speech is something everyone can learn from. R.I.P. my all-time favorite player. 😪
I'm so very sorry for ANYONE who has had this horrible disease and also for the families too. Insidious disease. I'm so very sorry. Blessings and prayers for all those who suffered and their families and friends too.🌹🙏💕
Gone. The game is all about money now. Gone are the days of playing fir the love of the game. The money has forced the players to "git gud" or step aside. The 30s were a magical era for the game.
Not many know that his last at bat was here in Kansas City in an exhibition game against the Kansas City Blues. It was after that game when he went to Minnesota (Mayo Clinic) while the rest of the Yankees headed east.
My BFF’s mom was taken by ALS. She lived to 78 which was a lot more than some of these folks got. She got a 6 months estimated survival time and died exactly at the 6 month mark. It’s heartbreaking to see a person fade away slowly like that.
I have a autoimmune disease called Sjogrens I'm 36 now, when I was 24 the undiagnosed Sjogrens hit me hard, I was tripping over carpet, cracks , insane muscle twitches etc. I was in the hospital 6 days I remember they called a Dr from a neighboring state! To give me a nerve test to all but finish the als diagnosis they had for me, The following 48 hours I cried and paced my room wishing for even stage 4 cancer over this after reading up on it for 3 days straight. I got blessed but I also found a piece of me that will forever hurt for all als patients and their families.
In 1938 Gehrig saw multiple doctors and none could figure out what was wrong. When he got to the Mayo Clinic just by coincidence he was placed with a Doctor whose mother had died from ALS only months earlier.
ALS often goes undetected or misdiagnosed. My poor mother died from it in 1981. Then my brother contracted it in 1993 and died in 1995. It is the cruelest illness of them all. Both for the victim and the family.
Think about this. Hank Aaron had 2297 RBI. Lou Gehrig had 1995. BUT Aaron had 4363 more at bats than Gehrig. That’s about 7 more seasons worth of at bats. Gehrig averaged 149 RBI per season. Do the math, it’s staggering.
Gehrig still holds the A.L. record for runs batted in for a season with 183. He averaged 160 rbi's for his career falling just shy of 2000. This is a remarkable accomplishment as he hit behind Babe Ruth who is #2 all time in runs batted in.
My uncle had lou gherigs disease he lived longer but was also in 80s 90s when they had more research on it and my uncle didn't want help himself as of now days ppl live longer. Was very sad he let himself go I remember the end hearing him in his hospital bed screaming yelling for his mom I'm ready cry talking about it
I bet he never thought of taking a knee during the national anthem. From what I learned he didn’t blame other races for what has happened to him. That is why he was loved by everyone.
Totally different disease. Different types of Corona viruses have been around for a long time, so we already knew a lot about them. Degenerative nerve diseases like this have also been around for a long time but they don't even know what causes it.
I pray nightly for every one of those horrible diseases to be crushed out by our Lord. And for every one suffering with them to be healed by Him immediately. In Jesus' Holy Name, Amen.
Praying won't get a cure any faster. Obviously, your god could have prevented ALS from the start, let alone stopped it from killing people yesterday. But since there is no god, we'll have to depend on human ingenuity.
At 1:20 they say that his streak is by far the longest in baseball. I agree. I do not recognize Cal Ripken's claim to have exceeded the streak. Gehrig never took the Summer off, as Ripken did in 1994, during the player's strike.
In all FAIRNESS to CAL RIPKEN, had there NOT been a "STRIKE" he would have continued to play without missing a game. How much do you think LOU GEHRIG was WORTH or being PAID during his time? ANSWER: He was paid about $30,000 (at his high point), which was greatly UNDERPAID even for that time for his talent and commitment. He should have been getting @ least $60-80,000 a yr. even for the 1930's. The MLB Union should have told the players to FINISH the 1994 season and go on STRIKE after the WORLD SERIES into next year's SPRING TRAINING 1995. The MLB Owners have been known to be TIGHTWADS/CHEAP for a long time and the players DESERVE a UNION just as much as ALL workers do.
My grandmother died on my birthday in 2009 from ALS. In just a few months her health rapidly declined until she looked like a holocaust victim. It was very sad to see.
He must have noticed some of the symptoms well before his decline started and he was diagnosed, but would have been clueless about what they signified.