Lou Gehrig
The Lost Memoir
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4.6 • 15 Ratings
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- $13.99
Publisher Description
The lost memoir from Lou Gehrig—“a compelling rumination by a baseball icon and a tragic hero” (Sports Illustrated) and “a fitting tribute to an inspiring baseball legend” (Publishers Weekly).
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. Those columns were largely forgotten and lost to history—until now.
Lou comes alive in this “must-read” (Tyler Kepner, The New York Times) memoir. It is an inspiring, heartfelt rags-to-riches tale about a 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 Gherig’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, MVP, an “athlete who epitomized the American dream” (Christian Science Monitor)—back at bat.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In this surprising rediscovery, historian Gaff (Lou Gehrig) presents the lost memoir of New York Yankee Gehrig (1903 1941), written in 1927. In a conversational style, Gehrig discusses his humble childhood as the son of German immigrant parents in New York City and the respect he has for his other sports figures, such as teammate Babe Ruth, rival Ty Cobb, and manager Miller "Hug" Huggins. Gehrig's love for the game is palpable, especially after winning the 1927 World Series, of which he writes, "I'm proud of the game and all who play it. And as long as I wear a big-league uniform, I will give all I can to the game." Gaff follows up the memoir with a detailed look into Lou Gehrig's life, discussing his career and the exuberant excesses of the Yankees' hell-raising lifestyle (mainly Ruth's), as well as Gehrig's battle with ALS, with which he was diagnosed in 1939. Special mention is given to Gehrig's legacy; even in his final days, he dedicated his life to trying to help others who were suffering from their own hardships. Gaff's volume is a fitting tribute to an inspiring baseball legend.
