C058

He was one of the greatest baseball players of all time. Twice he was named the most valuable player of the year in the American League. The New York Yankees, with him as their captain, won three World Series.

His fame did not come the easy way. It took great effort, since he had a clumsy body to begin with, to become a fine first baseman. A wild pitch knocked him unconscious, but he was in the line-up next day. One by one he broke all ten fingers, but he played on. His bones might be broken, or he might be ill, but always he would be in there playing. Lou Gehrig, the Iron Horse, as they called him, played 2130 games without skipping one.

Then, one day, he stood for the last time on the diamond where he had won his greatest triumphs. It was Lou Gehrig Day. Gifts were presented from all the baseball world. Lou bowed his head to the thunderous applause, while his famous pal, Babe Ruth, stood with his arm about him.