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Lou Gehrig: The Lost Memoir
The lost memoir from baseball icon Lou Gehrig—a sensational discovery, published for the first time as a book.
At the tender age of twenty-four, Lou Gehrig decided to tell the remarkable story of his life and career. He was one of the most famous athletes in the country, in the midst of a record-breaking season with the legendary 1927 World Series-winning Yankees. In an effort to grow Lou’s star, pioneering sports agent Christy Walsh arranged for Lou’s tale of baseball greatness to syndicate in newspapers across the country. Until now, those columns were largely forgotten and lost to history.
Lou comes alive in this inspiring memoir. It is a heartfelt rags-to-riches tale about a dirt poor kid from New York who became one of the most revered baseball players of all time.
Fourteen years after his account, Lou would tragically die from ALS, a neuromuscular disorder now known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. His poignant autobiography is followed by an insightful biographical essay by historian Alan D. Gaff. Here is Lou—Hall of Famer, All Star, and MVP—back at bat.
At the tender age of twenty-four, Lou Gehrig decided to tell the remarkable story of his life and career. He was one of the most famous athletes in the country, in the midst of a record-breaking season with the legendary 1927 World Series-winning Yankees. In an effort to grow Lou’s star, pioneering sports agent Christy Walsh arranged for Lou’s tale of baseball greatness to syndicate in newspapers across the country. Until now, those columns were largely forgotten and lost to history.
Lou comes alive in this inspiring memoir. It is a heartfelt rags-to-riches tale about a dirt poor kid from New York who became one of the most revered baseball players of all time.
Fourteen years after his account, Lou would tragically die from ALS, a neuromuscular disorder now known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. His poignant autobiography is followed by an insightful biographical essay by historian Alan D. Gaff. Here is Lou—Hall of Famer, All Star, and MVP—back at bat.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 12, 2020
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574 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews
June 28, 2020
This is an entertaining, well-written biography of my favorite Yankee, whose story still brings tears to my eyes. I enjoyed reading Lou's news column writings of his early Yankee years, learning some new information about this tragic hero, and truly enjoyed the photographs, some of which I have never seen before. Thank you, Mr. Gaff.
July 3, 2020
My review is in the Christian Science Monitor.
May 29, 2020
This book was the first book ever that made me cry. The beginning of it was sad because he had no idea of the misfortune and death that would befall him, and since it was written by him in the form of newspaper columns that a man had him write in order to spread his fame. The second half was a biography written by John D. Graff, and told of his poor beginnings, his high school and Columbia University careers, and his home run derby with Babe Ruth. In the very end of the book, Lou gives his farewell speech, after he had been diagnosed with ALS, in front of millions of fans in Yankee stadium. the famous speech goes:“For the past two weeks you have been reading about a bad break. Yet today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth. I have been in ballparks for seventeen years and have never received anything but kindness and encouragement from you fans.
“When you look around, wouldn’t you consider it a privilege to associate yourself with such a fine looking men as they’re standing in uniform in this ballpark today? Sure, I’m lucky. Who wouldn’t consider it an honor to have known Jacob Ruppert? Also, the builder of baseball’s greatest empire, Ed Barrow? To have spent six years with that wonderful little fellow, Miller Huggins? Then to have spent the next nine years with that outstanding leader, that smart student of psychology, the best manager in baseball today, Joe McCarthy? Sure, I’m lucky.
“When the New York Giants, a team you would give your right arm to beat, and vice versa, sends you a gift – that’s something. When everybody down to the groundskeepers and those boys in white coats remember you with trophies – that’s something. When you have a wonderful mother-in-law who takes sides with you in squabbles with her own daughter – that’s something. When you have a father and a mother who work all their lives so you can have an education and build your body – it’s a blessing. When you have a wife who has been a tower of strength and shown more courage than you dreamed existed – that’s the finest I know.
“So I close in saying that I might have been given a bad break, but I’ve got an awful lot to live for. Thank you.”
– Lou Gehrig
I couldn't handle it. This from one of the best men alive ever. After this speech was made, he through himself in an effort to stop young people from drinking and smoking. His best batting average was .500, one of the best ever, he made a record for most consecutive games played that would stand for 50 years . But his real legacy was helping them find a better path.
Lou Gehrig died in his sleep on June 2, 1941 in his sleep. Death had to take him in his sleep, because if he was awake, there would be a fight. Damon Runyon perhaps best describes him.
"This was the story of a hero of the peaceful paths of everyday life.
It was the story of a gentle young man who, in the full flower of his great fame, was a lesson in simplicity and modesty to the youth of America.
He faced death with that same valor and fortitude that has been displayed by thousands of young Americans on the far-flung fields of battle. He left behind him a memory of courage and devotion that will ever be an inspiration to all men.
This is the story of Lou Gehrig.
“When you look around, wouldn’t you consider it a privilege to associate yourself with such a fine looking men as they’re standing in uniform in this ballpark today? Sure, I’m lucky. Who wouldn’t consider it an honor to have known Jacob Ruppert? Also, the builder of baseball’s greatest empire, Ed Barrow? To have spent six years with that wonderful little fellow, Miller Huggins? Then to have spent the next nine years with that outstanding leader, that smart student of psychology, the best manager in baseball today, Joe McCarthy? Sure, I’m lucky.
“When the New York Giants, a team you would give your right arm to beat, and vice versa, sends you a gift – that’s something. When everybody down to the groundskeepers and those boys in white coats remember you with trophies – that’s something. When you have a wonderful mother-in-law who takes sides with you in squabbles with her own daughter – that’s something. When you have a father and a mother who work all their lives so you can have an education and build your body – it’s a blessing. When you have a wife who has been a tower of strength and shown more courage than you dreamed existed – that’s the finest I know.
“So I close in saying that I might have been given a bad break, but I’ve got an awful lot to live for. Thank you.”
– Lou Gehrig
I couldn't handle it. This from one of the best men alive ever. After this speech was made, he through himself in an effort to stop young people from drinking and smoking. His best batting average was .500, one of the best ever, he made a record for most consecutive games played that would stand for 50 years . But his real legacy was helping them find a better path.
Lou Gehrig died in his sleep on June 2, 1941 in his sleep. Death had to take him in his sleep, because if he was awake, there would be a fight. Damon Runyon perhaps best describes him.
"This was the story of a hero of the peaceful paths of everyday life.
It was the story of a gentle young man who, in the full flower of his great fame, was a lesson in simplicity and modesty to the youth of America.
He faced death with that same valor and fortitude that has been displayed by thousands of young Americans on the far-flung fields of battle. He left behind him a memory of courage and devotion that will ever be an inspiration to all men.
This is the story of Lou Gehrig.
June 29, 2020
The book is in two parts; the first is a series of columns Lou Gehrig wrote during his 1927 season with the New York Yankees and the second is a brief biography of the baseball player. The first section sheds light on Gehrig's life during what may have been his greatest season. He drove in 175 RBIs that year, a record then, batting behind Babe Ruth who cleared the bases himself with 60 home runs. To drive that many runs in behind Ruth is simply amazing.
But, while becoming the great player he was, Gehrig had such a humble attitude and it shows in his columns. He never mentioned his greatness, but instead wrote about all the help he had from other players and his ineptness at batting that first season.
The second part, the bio written by Gaff, was not really earth-shattering and, in fact, repeated some things that Gehrig mentioned in his part.
I was glad to see this book, though. In a time when there's no baseball due to the dang virus, this was greatly welcomed. And it's nice to see one of the greatest baseball players who was overshadowed by Ruth's personality and boisterousness to receive his own attention.
But, while becoming the great player he was, Gehrig had such a humble attitude and it shows in his columns. He never mentioned his greatness, but instead wrote about all the help he had from other players and his ineptness at batting that first season.
The second part, the bio written by Gaff, was not really earth-shattering and, in fact, repeated some things that Gehrig mentioned in his part.
I was glad to see this book, though. In a time when there's no baseball due to the dang virus, this was greatly welcomed. And it's nice to see one of the greatest baseball players who was overshadowed by Ruth's personality and boisterousness to receive his own attention.
July 16, 2020
This is mendacious from the title and authorship attributions on.
First, this is NOT a "lost memoir." Rather, the first half of the book is a collection of newspaper columns ghostwritten for Gehrig by Christy Walsh. It's questionable how much input Gehrig had into these. These types of columns were common in the Roaring 20s and beyond, and in most cases, the sportswriter, agent, whomever did at least half of the thoughts contribution and 80 percent of the writing.
Either Gaff knows that, and is being mendacious about attributing this to Gehrig to juice sales, or he doesn't, and in that case, has no business writing a baseball book.
I mean, Gehrig never called a person a "chap" a single day in his life, I'm almost certain. And, no, team unity on the Yankees was nowhere near what Christy Walsh painted on Gehrig's lips.
Second, it's not even a book, the columns. By themselves, they're a pamphet. A mini-bio essay by Gaff pads it out.
Third, his player index is WEIRD. Some players, it has their complete careers. Others, only selected years. And I see no rhyme or reason to the choices.
I cannot recommend this book.
But I CAN recommend you not read this, or anything else written by Mr. Gaff.
First, this is NOT a "lost memoir." Rather, the first half of the book is a collection of newspaper columns ghostwritten for Gehrig by Christy Walsh. It's questionable how much input Gehrig had into these. These types of columns were common in the Roaring 20s and beyond, and in most cases, the sportswriter, agent, whomever did at least half of the thoughts contribution and 80 percent of the writing.
Either Gaff knows that, and is being mendacious about attributing this to Gehrig to juice sales, or he doesn't, and in that case, has no business writing a baseball book.
I mean, Gehrig never called a person a "chap" a single day in his life, I'm almost certain. And, no, team unity on the Yankees was nowhere near what Christy Walsh painted on Gehrig's lips.
Second, it's not even a book, the columns. By themselves, they're a pamphet. A mini-bio essay by Gaff pads it out.
Third, his player index is WEIRD. Some players, it has their complete careers. Others, only selected years. And I see no rhyme or reason to the choices.
I cannot recommend this book.
But I CAN recommend you not read this, or anything else written by Mr. Gaff.
January 5, 2021
What a fantastic read and find about a great baseball player, and great human being altogether. The memoir reads just like it would in the 1920's, and I can imagine many boys and grown men buying the paper each week to read about Mr. Gehrig. I can tell that he enjoyed life and loved the game of baseball the way he never spoke ill about anyone, loved telling stories in the trenches, and always kept an upbeat attitude about any challenge that came his way. I was almost crying at the end of the memoir because we all know what happened to him at the end of his life, because he truly felt he could live to 100. The Biographical essay puts a more academic spin to Mr. Gehrig's life, highlighting a less rosy colored view of his early life and struggles, but also talking about everything after 1927 until his passing. Great book to kick off 2021 with.
October 31, 2022
I’m so glad I read this. To read Gehrig’s own words was a gift. Yet, the best part about this book was learning more about his character. Gehrig was a rare gem who was a gentle and caring man off the field who was a faithful husband, a great friend, and a mentor to so many troubled kids. Great read!
October 1, 2020
Read the first half with his newspaper columns, and that was incredible! Did not read the biographical essay as it was a little dry to read. The columns were more than enough for me!
October 15, 2024
Every year I try to read at least one book on baseball and its players. This year it was this book on a well known , but strangely obscure man, Lou Gehrig. It seems that in the old news reels, there is Lou, standing beside Babe Ruth, but it is the Babe who is talking, usually replying to the press with witty one liners, but there is Gehrig, silent but smiling. You never hear him speak, that is, until he gives one of the most famous speeches ever given by an athlete, anywhere in the world, that went in part:""Fans, for the past two weeks you have been reading about the bad break I got. Yet today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
His incredible baseball career had been cut short as his body was breaking down.
Some know this man only by the disease that came to be named after him.
Lou was a truly decent man, a "straight shooter", a bit of a "square' back in his day. He loved his parents and supported them, living with them till he was past thirty years old. He married late in life and happily found a partner that comforted him through his terrible- illness.
Lou was highly respected in the game, even beloved.
This book starts with the unpublished personal memoir of the man, concluded by a solid biography by writer Alan Graff to finish out the story.
Lou was no modern day "trash talker". It is wonderful to hear in his words the gracious things that he has to say regarding his competitors on the field, including Eddie Collins, Walter Johnson, Tris Speaker, and even Ty Cobb.
Lou Gehrig was a class act and finally I feel as if I know the man that he was.
His incredible baseball career had been cut short as his body was breaking down.
Some know this man only by the disease that came to be named after him.
Lou was a truly decent man, a "straight shooter", a bit of a "square' back in his day. He loved his parents and supported them, living with them till he was past thirty years old. He married late in life and happily found a partner that comforted him through his terrible- illness.
Lou was highly respected in the game, even beloved.
This book starts with the unpublished personal memoir of the man, concluded by a solid biography by writer Alan Graff to finish out the story.
Lou was no modern day "trash talker". It is wonderful to hear in his words the gracious things that he has to say regarding his competitors on the field, including Eddie Collins, Walter Johnson, Tris Speaker, and even Ty Cobb.
Lou Gehrig was a class act and finally I feel as if I know the man that he was.
May 20, 2020
Worthy Of All Baseball Fans’ Consideration!
Gehrig: The Lost Memoir by Alan D. Gaff Is really a book in two parts...
...Part One provides a memoir Gehrig wrote in 1927, in which he describes his life as a poor child growing up in NYC, his feelings about being a student athlete for 2 1/2 years at Columbia University, his perceptions about being a member of the NY Yankees during the first four years of his illustrious career, and about his relationships with Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb and other great players during that period. This part of the book was originally intended to be serialized in some newspapers over 30 installments in a 13-week period; although, as you’ll learn, circumstances arose that prevented the vast majority of these installments from being published —hence the book’s title, Gehrig: The Lost Memoir.
...Part Two provides a biographical essay written by Gaff which provides a lot more details about Gehrig’s life from childhood, through his playing days, and up to the neuromuscular disease that forced his retirement from the team and the game he loved to play, and resulted in his death at the age of only 37.
I found both parts of this book to be informative, interesting and insightful; and most importantly, they worked to enhance my understanding and appreciation of Gehrig not just as one of the greatest baseball players of all time, but to my perception of him that could be summed up in the following four simple, yet all-encopassing words — This was a Man!
Gehrig: The Lost Memoir by Alan D. Gaff Is really a book in two parts...
...Part One provides a memoir Gehrig wrote in 1927, in which he describes his life as a poor child growing up in NYC, his feelings about being a student athlete for 2 1/2 years at Columbia University, his perceptions about being a member of the NY Yankees during the first four years of his illustrious career, and about his relationships with Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb and other great players during that period. This part of the book was originally intended to be serialized in some newspapers over 30 installments in a 13-week period; although, as you’ll learn, circumstances arose that prevented the vast majority of these installments from being published —hence the book’s title, Gehrig: The Lost Memoir.
...Part Two provides a biographical essay written by Gaff which provides a lot more details about Gehrig’s life from childhood, through his playing days, and up to the neuromuscular disease that forced his retirement from the team and the game he loved to play, and resulted in his death at the age of only 37.
I found both parts of this book to be informative, interesting and insightful; and most importantly, they worked to enhance my understanding and appreciation of Gehrig not just as one of the greatest baseball players of all time, but to my perception of him that could be summed up in the following four simple, yet all-encopassing words — This was a Man!
August 27, 2021
A true summer treat for baseball fans, the book consists of two radically different halves that fit together well. The first half is a short biography of the Iron Horse, then early in his long consecutive games played streaks. During the 1927 World Series won by the Yankees, Gehrig wrote his life story. The memoir, actually a series of columns syndicated to newspapers across the country, show a 24-year-old budding legend who had worked hard to attain that status. While there is nothing in any way scandalous here, Gehrig still gives the reader an inside look at the national pastime. He shows a sport populated by serious men driven to succeed. He includes his teammate Babe Ruth in this praise as well, in contrast to some accounts that portray the two men as enemies. His stories about Ruth and Ty Cobb alone make the book worth a read by baseball history enthusiasts.
The second half of this book consists of a biographical essay by Alan D. Gaff. This sounds rather dry but it is not. The wealth of detail gives readers a full look at the legend. When tragedy strikes, the sports hero showed his greatest courage. By the end, he stands as a greater hero that was even was known at that time. Four and a half stars for a quick, excellently layered read.
The second half of this book consists of a biographical essay by Alan D. Gaff. This sounds rather dry but it is not. The wealth of detail gives readers a full look at the legend. When tragedy strikes, the sports hero showed his greatest courage. By the end, he stands as a greater hero that was even was known at that time. Four and a half stars for a quick, excellently layered read.
November 19, 2021
This book was received as an ARC from Simon & Schuster in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.
I have heard so many stories about Lou Gehrig mostly about his death and the mysterious Lou Gehrig's disease. This book got right down to the bare bones and Alan Gaff held nothing back and it was everything Lou Gehrig. I was familiar with his career with the Yankees especially through my grandfather when he was at the game where he announced his retirement due to ALS. We got to learn a lot about Gehrig's childhood and I have read a lot of memoirs from professional athletes and a lot of them grew up poor striving to live but, that just motivated them and is part of who they are. That was the extreme case for Lou Gehrig. You feel you get to know the real Lou Gehrig when reading this book and a lot of our library community will really appreciate that.
We will consider adding this title to our Biography collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.
I have heard so many stories about Lou Gehrig mostly about his death and the mysterious Lou Gehrig's disease. This book got right down to the bare bones and Alan Gaff held nothing back and it was everything Lou Gehrig. I was familiar with his career with the Yankees especially through my grandfather when he was at the game where he announced his retirement due to ALS. We got to learn a lot about Gehrig's childhood and I have read a lot of memoirs from professional athletes and a lot of them grew up poor striving to live but, that just motivated them and is part of who they are. That was the extreme case for Lou Gehrig. You feel you get to know the real Lou Gehrig when reading this book and a lot of our library community will really appreciate that.
We will consider adding this title to our Biography collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.
January 22, 2022
This book is taken from a series of newspaper articles penned by Lou Gehrig during the 1927 baseball season while playing for the NY Yankees. It's accompanied by an essay providing a biography of Gehrig's life by the author/editor of this book. Overall a simple and easy read, not terribly in-depth. But fascinating to read words that came from the man who suffered from one of America's sports tragedies.
February 12, 2022
The first part of the book is a memoir formed from Lou GEhrig's articles he did for the papers during the 1927 season. I think it was probably written by some hack working for the Yankees, as it was full of the kind of pap writing about how swell everyone was etc etc. The second half of the book was a general history of Gehrig which was better.
January 30, 2025
This was an easy and quick read. As an avid baseball fan who enjoys the History of the game, I enjoyed this book. I already knew most of the facts and many of the anecdotes but I enjoyed the first part of this book which was actually written by Gehrig during the amazing 27 season.
September 25, 2021
This book about Lou Gehrig was a gift to my husband from our daughter. I picked it up and decided to read it, and am so glad that I did! This was a really good read for me, with my Dad and my oldest son both being over the top devoted fans of the Yankees! The first half of the book was Lou Gehrig’s personal memoir from the 1920’s that he wrote before and during his time with the Yankees. I found it so much more interesting to hear his own words (from more than 100 years ago!). I discovered that they were told to keep a written account ( by Yankees management). He did a good job! Honest and well written! Sad that he died so young at only 37 of the disease we now call Lou Gehrigs disease, but what a life he led! An honest account of a true baseball legend. Highly recommend this one!
July 22, 2022
205 p.
December 20, 2022
An interesting book because the first half is written in Gehrig’s voice and vernacular from some 1927 newspaper columns. The second half biography is more precise but straightforward. A good story that more people my age should know.
January 11, 2024
Well written humorous story by Gehrig and the succinct yet informative memoir at the end by Gaff. Such a sad story.
March 24, 2020
This long lost memoir recounting Gehrig’s early career and particularly the historic 1927 season provides an interesting, though sanitized, perspective on baseball and society during the mid 1920’s. Particularly interesting are his recollections of Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb. I mean where else can you find what Lou Gehrig thought of these baseball titans. Recommended.
November 3, 2024
An excellent job of capturing the long-forgotten columns under Gehrig's byline from 1927, with useful historical context.
February 27, 2024
Overall nice book about Lou Gehrig. The title 'The Lost Memoir' is a little misleading as I wouldn't actually consider it lost, it's always been there; it was just more or less forgotten under the immense mountain of information regarding Lou Gehrig. 'Following the Babe' was a series of newspaper articles written by Lou Gehrig (with a little help from ghost writers or his sports agent - Christy Walsh) for The Oakland Tribune in 1927.
This portion of the book is about 90 pages and gives a good perspective of Lou Gehrig's thoughts about baseball. Definitely worth reading if you are a baseball fan.
Pretty much the rest of the book is a condensed version of Lou's life which also touches on events after his death.
In general, I would recommend the book to others but if you want to read a more in-depth biography, I recommend that you read 'Luckiest Man' by Jonathan Eig.
This portion of the book is about 90 pages and gives a good perspective of Lou Gehrig's thoughts about baseball. Definitely worth reading if you are a baseball fan.
Pretty much the rest of the book is a condensed version of Lou's life which also touches on events after his death.
In general, I would recommend the book to others but if you want to read a more in-depth biography, I recommend that you read 'Luckiest Man' by Jonathan Eig.
September 17, 2020
Super short autobiography/essay about Lou Gehrig. The first half of the book is a compilation of Lou Gehrig’s writings for a newspaper regarding his life. The second half is a biographical essay written about Lou Gehrig’s life. This is average at best. The first part is just Lou Gehrig saying how swell everyone in baseball is. The second part is a very brief overview of Mr. Gehrig’s life. The only interesting tidbit I picked up was that Lou went on a bender for a brief two weeks during his minor league run in Hartford, CT. If your looking for a deeper dive into Mr. Gehrig, I suggest you check out the book Luckiest Man by Jonathan Eig. I found that book provided much more insight into one of baseball’s all time greats.
March 30, 2024
To be able to hear what part of that amazing 1927 season was like, from the words of Lou himself was awesome. And to add to it, the Biographical Essay at the end by the author helped delve more into Lou’s life than I had ever known before.
May 24, 2020
Would there be so many books about Lou Gehrig had he not died such a tragic death? Does the contraction of the disease that now bears his name make him any more or less a worthy subject than many of his contemporaries? At the risk of courting controversy, I don’t think it does.
Lou Gehrig did not have Babe Ruth’s oversize personality, nor did he have the same watershed impact on the national pastime (coming out of the Black Sox Scandal of 1919, which nearly ruined the sport) as did his teammate. Jackie Robinson had a major impact on the game when he broke the color barrier. Ted Williams was a war hero. Satchel Paige was a slice of Americana.
While there is no disputing Gehrig’s accomplishments, the same could be said about many of the superstars and Hall of Famers, such as Stan Musial, Ernie Banks and dozens of others, who are the subjects of multiple books. It was the sad demise of the “Iron Horse” that cemented his place in history.
Yet this latest look at Gehrig does stand apart, not only putting his own words to page but serving as an example of how differently sports figures wrote and were written about “back in the day.”
This “memoir” is basically a collection of articles published serially rather than in one volume. Gehrig --- most likely with the assistance of a co-writer --- discusses his early life and struggles, including a surprising lack of confidence regarding his abilities on the field and how he might not deserve a shot at the majors. There are few complaints or nasty comments about anyone other than himself. Over time, as his success grew, he became more comfortable with the accolades he deservedly received.
Gehrig’s final chapter begins, “And now I come to the end of my story of my baseball experience.” But the columns were written in 1927, not, as one might think, at the conclusion of his playing days since he says, “I am still just a kid at the game, and I realize it. I still have much to learn, and I hope I still have many years in which to learn it.” Of course, we know what’s to come, but apparently Gehrig has no inking. (This is the subject of Dan Joseph’s detailed LAST RIDE OF THE IRON HORSE: How Lou Gehrig Fought ALS to Play One Final Championship Season.)
The last half of the book contains a brief biography by Alan D. Gaff, which I found quite interesting, offering tidbits of Gehrig’s life that I do not recall from previous works, including Jonathan Eig’s wonderful LUCKIEST MAN: The Life and Death of Lou Gehrig.
I wonder what this exercise would look like if Gehrig were writing in more contemporary times? Would he reveal the stress of living in poverty with an alcoholic father and overprotective mother, the only survivor of several children who all died from various diseases? Would he admit to how he really felt about Ruth, perhaps share some of the Bambino’s dirty laundry? One gets the impression that Gehrig never said a discouraging word about anyone in his life.
Compare that with more recent works from players who, as the saying goes, couldn’t carry his jock. Nowadays there is no detail too lurid to share, whether it involves sexual encounters, substance abuse, or anything else that would be considered out of bounds in Gehrig’s era. But that follows the norm over the past near-century as silent movies turn to talkies, black and white to color, actual stories into shoot-’em-ups with ever-increasing body counts and explosions. That’s one reason I believe Gaff’s contribution to the Gehrig oeuvre will do well, at least with a certain audience who appreciates those kinder, gentler times.
Reviewed by Ron Kaplan
Lou Gehrig did not have Babe Ruth’s oversize personality, nor did he have the same watershed impact on the national pastime (coming out of the Black Sox Scandal of 1919, which nearly ruined the sport) as did his teammate. Jackie Robinson had a major impact on the game when he broke the color barrier. Ted Williams was a war hero. Satchel Paige was a slice of Americana.
While there is no disputing Gehrig’s accomplishments, the same could be said about many of the superstars and Hall of Famers, such as Stan Musial, Ernie Banks and dozens of others, who are the subjects of multiple books. It was the sad demise of the “Iron Horse” that cemented his place in history.
Yet this latest look at Gehrig does stand apart, not only putting his own words to page but serving as an example of how differently sports figures wrote and were written about “back in the day.”
This “memoir” is basically a collection of articles published serially rather than in one volume. Gehrig --- most likely with the assistance of a co-writer --- discusses his early life and struggles, including a surprising lack of confidence regarding his abilities on the field and how he might not deserve a shot at the majors. There are few complaints or nasty comments about anyone other than himself. Over time, as his success grew, he became more comfortable with the accolades he deservedly received.
Gehrig’s final chapter begins, “And now I come to the end of my story of my baseball experience.” But the columns were written in 1927, not, as one might think, at the conclusion of his playing days since he says, “I am still just a kid at the game, and I realize it. I still have much to learn, and I hope I still have many years in which to learn it.” Of course, we know what’s to come, but apparently Gehrig has no inking. (This is the subject of Dan Joseph’s detailed LAST RIDE OF THE IRON HORSE: How Lou Gehrig Fought ALS to Play One Final Championship Season.)
The last half of the book contains a brief biography by Alan D. Gaff, which I found quite interesting, offering tidbits of Gehrig’s life that I do not recall from previous works, including Jonathan Eig’s wonderful LUCKIEST MAN: The Life and Death of Lou Gehrig.
I wonder what this exercise would look like if Gehrig were writing in more contemporary times? Would he reveal the stress of living in poverty with an alcoholic father and overprotective mother, the only survivor of several children who all died from various diseases? Would he admit to how he really felt about Ruth, perhaps share some of the Bambino’s dirty laundry? One gets the impression that Gehrig never said a discouraging word about anyone in his life.
Compare that with more recent works from players who, as the saying goes, couldn’t carry his jock. Nowadays there is no detail too lurid to share, whether it involves sexual encounters, substance abuse, or anything else that would be considered out of bounds in Gehrig’s era. But that follows the norm over the past near-century as silent movies turn to talkies, black and white to color, actual stories into shoot-’em-ups with ever-increasing body counts and explosions. That’s one reason I believe Gaff’s contribution to the Gehrig oeuvre will do well, at least with a certain audience who appreciates those kinder, gentler times.
Reviewed by Ron Kaplan
August 2, 2020
I confess: I've been a fan of Lou Gehrig for about as long as I've been a baseball fan. I started reading about him while I was in elementary school. I'm sure it helped that I was from a family that were committed Yankees fans. I'm sure it also helped that the way that he died and the fact that it started happening when he was at the height of his career made certain that there was a lot written about it. But it's also true that Lou Gehrig was a good man. He loved his family; he only started playing baseball when he had to support his Mom and Dad. He was an earnest, good-natured, non-gambling guy who would occasionally drink a beer but only one. He respected his teammates and his managers. He controlled his temper. He chose not to make a scene. In short, he was everything Babe Ruth was not.
All right, so the book: this purports to be a series of articles that Lou wrote for publication by the newspapers during the 1927 season. Given the '27 Yankees may be the best baseball team of all time, it's amazing that these articles were lost. So - did Lou write them? Probably not. You'd have to be awfully naive to think that he would have had time and inclination. However, he was clearly talking to whoever actually did write them. There's too much insider knowledge and knowledge very specific to being a team member on the Yankees in this for anything else to be true. And they're fun for just that reason. There's real insight into player personalities and mindsets. There are stories of his Mom, to whom he was absolutely devoted, and Dad. There's a lot of discussion of the big names of the game. And there's a lot about Babe Ruth. People seem to think there was friction between the two men, especially during the '27 season. Both men deny it. Lou talks consistently about his relationship with Babe over time. It's clear that he always respected Babe, even if he didn't understand him much.
In the long run, this probably isn't of much interest to anyone who isn't a baseball fan. It might not even be a draw to anyone who isn't a Yankees fan. The biographical information that's thrown in is nice, but nothing new. I absolutely think this was worthwhile for me. As always, your mileage may vary.
All right, so the book: this purports to be a series of articles that Lou wrote for publication by the newspapers during the 1927 season. Given the '27 Yankees may be the best baseball team of all time, it's amazing that these articles were lost. So - did Lou write them? Probably not. You'd have to be awfully naive to think that he would have had time and inclination. However, he was clearly talking to whoever actually did write them. There's too much insider knowledge and knowledge very specific to being a team member on the Yankees in this for anything else to be true. And they're fun for just that reason. There's real insight into player personalities and mindsets. There are stories of his Mom, to whom he was absolutely devoted, and Dad. There's a lot of discussion of the big names of the game. And there's a lot about Babe Ruth. People seem to think there was friction between the two men, especially during the '27 season. Both men deny it. Lou talks consistently about his relationship with Babe over time. It's clear that he always respected Babe, even if he didn't understand him much.
In the long run, this probably isn't of much interest to anyone who isn't a baseball fan. It might not even be a draw to anyone who isn't a Yankees fan. The biographical information that's thrown in is nice, but nothing new. I absolutely think this was worthwhile for me. As always, your mileage may vary.
Read
March 5, 2022This is kind of a hybrid book, consisting of the compiled newspaper column that appeared in various papers during 1927 under Gehrig's byline--the "memoir"--and Alan Gaff's 80-page "Biographical Essay." Turns out both are great reads. Together they provide a nice sketch of the man's life and career.
Gaff argues that, unlike some of those syndicated columns supposedly penned by Major Leaguers, Gehrig at the very least had considerable input in his. The evidence he presents suggests he's probably right. The narrative voice certainly sounds like the guy in The Pride of the Yankees, anyway. . .
Speaking of which, the more I learn about Gehrig's life, they more I realize how accurate that movie is in portraying the character and personality of the man, AND the more impressed I am with Gary Cooper's performance. I don't think an athlete and the actor who played him or her have ever been quite so made for each other.
Though he doesn't ignore Gehrig's faults, mistakes, or embarrassing quirks, Gaff obviously admires the man, and for a biography about a guy like Gehrig, that's probably okay, maybe even preferred. There is much to admire. And I say that as a born and raised Yankee hater.
Clocking in a just 186 pages before the appendices start, if you're looking for a first print entry point into Gehrig's life (maybe after seeing The Pride of the Yankees), this book is a great option, especially since with the "lost memoir" newspaper column series it reproduces, we get a nice bit of Gehrig's own voice--or at least a pretty good approximation of it that he very likely had a hand in producing.
This book is probably mostly for baseball fans, but it still serves as a great time capsule for one facet of the first half of the American twentieth century and its values. As far as this book tells it, he movie wasn't lying; Gehrig really was a pretty fitting embodiment of a lot of what was great about that historical period.
Gaff argues that, unlike some of those syndicated columns supposedly penned by Major Leaguers, Gehrig at the very least had considerable input in his. The evidence he presents suggests he's probably right. The narrative voice certainly sounds like the guy in The Pride of the Yankees, anyway. . .
Speaking of which, the more I learn about Gehrig's life, they more I realize how accurate that movie is in portraying the character and personality of the man, AND the more impressed I am with Gary Cooper's performance. I don't think an athlete and the actor who played him or her have ever been quite so made for each other.
Though he doesn't ignore Gehrig's faults, mistakes, or embarrassing quirks, Gaff obviously admires the man, and for a biography about a guy like Gehrig, that's probably okay, maybe even preferred. There is much to admire. And I say that as a born and raised Yankee hater.
Clocking in a just 186 pages before the appendices start, if you're looking for a first print entry point into Gehrig's life (maybe after seeing The Pride of the Yankees), this book is a great option, especially since with the "lost memoir" newspaper column series it reproduces, we get a nice bit of Gehrig's own voice--or at least a pretty good approximation of it that he very likely had a hand in producing.
This book is probably mostly for baseball fans, but it still serves as a great time capsule for one facet of the first half of the American twentieth century and its values. As far as this book tells it, he movie wasn't lying; Gehrig really was a pretty fitting embodiment of a lot of what was great about that historical period.
July 30, 2020
Kind of disappointing. Of the 200 pages in the book, only about 100 were penned by Gehrig or his ghostwriter or some combination of the two. The remaining 100 pages are the author's essay on Gehrig's life and career (which in all honesty, I expected to be maybe 10 pages, with most of the book being Gehrig's musings on his life and career up to 1927). And to be honest again, that essay on Gehrig is kind of superficial.
So, what's to recommend about this book that it gets 4 stars instead of 2 or 3? The 100 pages - actually 101 - written or co-written by Gehrig are a priceless treasure trove of his thoughts on his career and various players in the majors at that time. All have appeared in print before - in newspaper columns back when Gehrig was still alive and well - but who has access to all that? Everything is gathered together here in chronological order and offer a fascinating look into his thoughts about the time in which he played.
In this horrible Summer of 2020 where the baseball season has been reduced to 60 games because of the coronovirus plague and where players are dropping like flies because they're coming down down with the virus, this book offers a refreshing look into what baseball used to be like when players made less in a season than some of today's players make per time at bat, and that is priceless. It's a picture of a time we won't see again in sports (sadly) and that alone makes it worth the cost.
Strictly for the baseball fan who is familiar with the Gehrig story and who wants more insight. Otherwise, you're probably better off getting a copy of a Gehrig biography - and God knows there are more than enough of them out there - and reading the full story of his short, tragic life, then moving on to this book.
So, what's to recommend about this book that it gets 4 stars instead of 2 or 3? The 100 pages - actually 101 - written or co-written by Gehrig are a priceless treasure trove of his thoughts on his career and various players in the majors at that time. All have appeared in print before - in newspaper columns back when Gehrig was still alive and well - but who has access to all that? Everything is gathered together here in chronological order and offer a fascinating look into his thoughts about the time in which he played.
In this horrible Summer of 2020 where the baseball season has been reduced to 60 games because of the coronovirus plague and where players are dropping like flies because they're coming down down with the virus, this book offers a refreshing look into what baseball used to be like when players made less in a season than some of today's players make per time at bat, and that is priceless. It's a picture of a time we won't see again in sports (sadly) and that alone makes it worth the cost.
Strictly for the baseball fan who is familiar with the Gehrig story and who wants more insight. Otherwise, you're probably better off getting a copy of a Gehrig biography - and God knows there are more than enough of them out there - and reading the full story of his short, tragic life, then moving on to this book.
June 19, 2020
This endearing story, written by the legendary baseball player when he was only 24 years old, captured my heart. "And so I stood up there and swung and swung, and I went into the infield and worked and worked and worked - but all the time, I was discouraged, for I couldn't see a chance to break in with such a ball club of veterans still in their prime." Of course we all know Gehrig for his untimely illness and death at the height of his Yankee big hitter stardom, but this story tells an earlier tale. Alan Gaff unearthed this series of newspaper columns young Gehrig wrote in 1927 and felt it added an important dimension to the athlete's story. To be able to hear Gehrig in his own voice describing his own career - not the posthumous glorified Hollywood version - is fascinating. It is also a little eerie knowing what is just around the corner in his life. This book reminded me that Gehrig's story would be stunning even without his tragic death. He was a diamond in the rough when signed to the Yankees in 1924, so clumsy and naive: "I couldn't hit the size of my hat, and the longer I played, the worse I got." But Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb and others took him under their wing. Gehrig worked tirelessly to learn the skills to go with his enormous drive to win. And in the end, he hit home runs that helped the Yankees win the World Series. He writes with the same generosity and humility that we all remember from his 1939 exit from the field. "I guess every youngster who ever tossed a ball or swung a bat has dreams of some day breaking into big league baseball. I know I did...And so long as I wear a big league uniform, I will give all I can to the game."
June 6, 2020
During the 1927 season, Yankees first baseman Lou Gehrig reflected on his life in a series of articles that appeared in the Oakland Tribune, Pittsburgh Press, and Ottawa Daily Citizen. Historian Alan Gaff has compiled this into a book for the first time. The "lost memoir" allows the reader to understand the obstacles that Gehrig went through to become a star player, as his parents were recent German immigrants of modest means, he was often mocked by his friends in New York City for his weight, and he hit just .170 during his first year at Commerce High School. Yet he went from Commerce High School, to Columbia University, to Yankee Stadium and became the greatest first baseman of all time. His memoir especially shines when he shares his colorful anecdotes about his colleagues, from the advice they shared that helped him succeed (from Wally Pipp, George Sisler, etc.), to their personalities in the locker room and dugout, to their off the field hobbies (Bob Shawkey enjoyed hunting, Bob Meusel was talented but quiet, Babe Ruth was generous with his young fans, Walter Johnson was a competitor of great class, etc.) When he was 24 years old in 1927, he was blissfully unaware of the disease that would take his life and ended his memoir with the words, "So long as I wear a big league uniform, I will give all I can to the game." I recommend this book to all readers who want a glimpse of a thoughtful and high character athlete during the "Roaring Twenties," both through his own words and Gaff's biographical essay covering his entire life through his untimely death in 1941.
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