Lou Gehrig 1903-1941

This July the Indianapolis Adult Baseball League will pay tribute to one of the greatest players the game of baseball has ever seen.  At the same time we will benefit the effort to cure the terrible disease that took his life and now bears his name.

July 17 until July 24 will be known as “Lou Gehrig Week” in the IABL.

Lou Gehrig will always be remembered for his farewell speech to baseball on July 4^th 1939.  Not just a great sports speech, there is much in it that transcends baseball and enters American history.  It is a selfless message from a modest man.  In describing that speech, 28+ Braves manager Eric Mertl summed it up best. “… Gehrig paid homage to the fans, his teammates past and present, the New York Giants, Yankee staff, and his family, not once turning the light of pity on himself for the sickness or circumstances that had befallen him.  A true teammate and gentleman, Gehrig simply gave his thanks to those around him and walked off into the distance.”

While it is difficult for many of us to relate to events of 70 to 80 years ago, before every member of this league was born, we can relate to accomplishments on the field of play.

This quiet and unassuming man let his actions speak for himself.  The “Iron Horse” was not just durable, he was one of the most feared hitters who ever played the game.  Hitting fourth in a batting order known as “Murderers’ Row’, amongst many other accomplishments he set records for extra base hits and RBI.  He was one of the few to ever win a Triple Crown.  He was named American League MVP twice.  His #4 was the first number ever retired in professional sports.  Baseball fans should do themselves the favor of looking up his impressive lifetime stats.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis struck him in his prime.  ALS is a debilitating muscular disease that slowly robs the body of the ability to do all the things that we take for granted.  Modern medicines can control symptoms, such as muscle cramping and difficulty swallowing, and other drugs can slow the development of the disease, but currently there is no cure or prevention for Lou Gehrig's disease.  The survival period is 2 to 5 years.

The IABL through its’ 38 teams will make a contribution to ALS research based on total hits for all games played during the week.  To honor number 4, each team will contribute $4 per hit.  Scorekeepers should keep in mind that a generous book will benefit this excellent cause.

John DeCosta

IABL President