(LOT 188)
1939 Lou Gehrig Batting in Spring Training PSA Type 1 Encapsulated ACME Newspictures Photo – Measures Approx. 7" x 9" – Includes PSA Type 1 LOA
Having suffered through an inexplicable slump in the late Summer of 1938 that included only four measly singles in the 1938 Fall Classic, Lou Gehrig was determined to work even harder prior to the 1939 campaign. Unfortunately for Lou, he had no idea that he was suffering from the incurable ALS disease that would ultimately claim his life at the tender age of 37 on June 2, 1941. No one could possibly contemplate the immeasurable shock experienced by the baseball community and associated fanbase when Lou Gehrig ended his 2,130-consecutive game streak; pulling himself out of the lineup in Detroit on May 2, 1939. For 14 seasons, Gehrig had steadfastly positioned himself at 1st base for the New York Yankees, clouting 493 homers, knocking in nearly 2,000 runs, compiling a sensational .340 lifetime batting average and accumulating 100+ RBIs in a record 13-consecutive seasons!

Indeed, an incomprehensible sadness swept across the country after the Mayo Clinic's report revealed that Gehrig was suffering from the incurable ALS disease. This historically significant PSA Type 1 ACME Newspictures Lou Gehrig batting photo was taken the first official day of spring training in St. Petersburg Florida on March 1, 1939 as the Iron Horse completes his once mighty swing. Measuring approximately 7" x 9", the crystal-clear offering has amazingly eluded any glaring flaws over the past 84 years, with the verso including a critical caption explaining how Gehrig has joined the team a week early in an all-out effort to prevent another batting slump that plagued him at the end of the 1938 campaign. Of course, that would not be the case, with Gehrig's illness ending his Yankee playing days on May 2nd and ultimately leading to his momentous July 4th "Luckiest Man on the Face of the Earth" farewell speech before a packed house at Yankee Stadium that will forever reside as our National Pastime's "Gettysburg Address."

MIN BID $300
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