Poem on Lou Gehrig's Award by John Kieran

On July 4, 1939, one of the saddest days in baseball history took place. It was Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day at Yankee Stadium and teammates were gathered around to say farewell to their friend. A trophy was presented to Lou Gehrig that day and the poem below was enscribed upon it.

"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." - Lou Gehrig
Poem on Lou Gehrig's Award

Lou Gehrig

by John Kiernan

Appeared: Lou Gehrig Trophy (07-04-1939)

To LOU GEHRIG

We've been to the wars together;
We took our foes as they came;
And always you were the leader,
And ever you played the game.
Idol of cheering millions,
Records are yours by sheaves;
Iron of frame they hailed you
Decked you with laurel leaves.
But higher than that we hold you,
We who have known you best;
Knowing the way you came through
Every human test.
Let this be a silent token
Of lasting Friendship's gleam,
And all that we've left unspoken;
Your Pals of the Yankees Team.

Poem on Lou Gehrig's Award by John Kiernan



Did you know that the actual trophy given to Lou Gehrig is on display in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown?

Two silver plaques were on the actual trophy. The first contained the poem above and the second had the names of his New York Yankee teammates.

61,808 fans were in attendance that day. Soon after, Lou Gehrig's number 4 was retired making him the first player in Major League history to be so honored.