The Mount Rushmore of the New York Yankees
By Matt Meffe
Lou Gehrig
Unlike Ruth, Lou Gehrig managed to remain a Yankee throughout his career. Gehrig debuted in 1923 and played until his retirement in 1939. Gehrig managed to leave behind a legacy that almost no other player could match. The first baseman set several MLB records in his career. Gehrig had the most consecutive seasons with 120 RBI, the most RBI and runs scored by a first baseman, and the highest on-base percentage for a first baseman.
Gehrig is also a member of the MLB All-Century Team and the MLB All-Time Team. Perhaps his most impressive feat was his seemingly unbreakable consecutive games record. Gehrig appeared in 2,130 consecutive games, which was a record that stood until Cal Ripken Jr. surpassed him in 1995. Gehrig’s career was cut short with his diagnosis of ALS, but his impact and legacy will always be felt by Yankee fans and the organization.
Yankee stats: .340 BA/2,721 H/493 HR/1,995 RBI/1,888 R/.447 OBP