The New Lou Gehrig Society Honors an American Hero
New York, NY, November 11, 2011 --(PR.com)-- www.thelougehrigsociety.org The Lou Gehrig Society is a dynamic, new organization dedicated to honoring and preserving the legacy of baseball giant Lou Gehrig by implementing targeted scholarship programs and enhancing public health, wellness and integrity across America.
Of all the players in baseball history, none has possessed both the fierce talent and raw modesty of Lou Gehrig. His accomplishments on the field made him an authentic American hero, and his courage in the face of a fatal illness made him a legend.
In 1921 Lou went to Columbia University on a football scholarship to pursue a degree in engineering. He played fullback at Columbia during the 1922 football season and then pitched and played first base for the Columbia Nine in 1923. But when baseball scout Paul Krichell saw the Columbia baseball team play he was so impressed with Lou’s hitting skills that he signed him to the New York Yankees with a $1,500.00 bonus. The rest is baseball history.
Lou became a full time Yankee in 1925 when he replaced Wally Pipp at first base. He didn’t leave his first base turf for over 13 years. Finally on May 2, 1939, as Yankee captain, he took himself out of the lineup and handed over his first base domain to Babe Dahlgren. Lou Gehrig’s consecutive streak of 2,130 games had ended. Shortly thereafter, the doctors at Mayo Clinic diagnosed Gehrig with a very rare form of degenerative disease: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), today commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Lou never returned to the baseball diamond.
After his diagnosis he returned to New York and came under the care of Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn who oversaw Lou’s health every day for his remaining two years. Their friendship deepened, and after Lou’s widow Eleanor died, she bequeathed a large portion of her estate to the Foundation Dr. Esselstyn had established in his rural New York State home in Columbia County. The Rip Van Winkle Foundation continues to thrive and focuses on identifying policies, techniques and programs that prevent disease. As a tribute to Lou, the Foundation launched The Lou Gehrig Society.
In 2011 alone, The Lou Gehrig Society launched the Lou Gehrig Scholar-Athlete Awards to two deserving Columbia University students, is supporting grant programs to two initiatives to enhance urban health, nutrition and fitness, and will present the first “The Spirit of Lou Gehrig” award.
For more information please go to www.thelougehrigsociety.org or call 518-325-4443.
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Of all the players in baseball history, none has possessed both the fierce talent and raw modesty of Lou Gehrig. His accomplishments on the field made him an authentic American hero, and his courage in the face of a fatal illness made him a legend.
In 1921 Lou went to Columbia University on a football scholarship to pursue a degree in engineering. He played fullback at Columbia during the 1922 football season and then pitched and played first base for the Columbia Nine in 1923. But when baseball scout Paul Krichell saw the Columbia baseball team play he was so impressed with Lou’s hitting skills that he signed him to the New York Yankees with a $1,500.00 bonus. The rest is baseball history.
Lou became a full time Yankee in 1925 when he replaced Wally Pipp at first base. He didn’t leave his first base turf for over 13 years. Finally on May 2, 1939, as Yankee captain, he took himself out of the lineup and handed over his first base domain to Babe Dahlgren. Lou Gehrig’s consecutive streak of 2,130 games had ended. Shortly thereafter, the doctors at Mayo Clinic diagnosed Gehrig with a very rare form of degenerative disease: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), today commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Lou never returned to the baseball diamond.
After his diagnosis he returned to New York and came under the care of Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn who oversaw Lou’s health every day for his remaining two years. Their friendship deepened, and after Lou’s widow Eleanor died, she bequeathed a large portion of her estate to the Foundation Dr. Esselstyn had established in his rural New York State home in Columbia County. The Rip Van Winkle Foundation continues to thrive and focuses on identifying policies, techniques and programs that prevent disease. As a tribute to Lou, the Foundation launched The Lou Gehrig Society.
In 2011 alone, The Lou Gehrig Society launched the Lou Gehrig Scholar-Athlete Awards to two deserving Columbia University students, is supporting grant programs to two initiatives to enhance urban health, nutrition and fitness, and will present the first “The Spirit of Lou Gehrig” award.
For more information please go to www.thelougehrigsociety.org or call 518-325-4443.
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Phil Parrish
336-420-8060
Phil Parrish
336-420-8060
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