Pastor Rich passes on a long overdue card for the Monster Card Monday column. It’s Lou Gehrig’s from 1936. Lou was 34 at the time and just five years away from succumbing to ALS. His year with the Yankees was something else though.
He led the AL in homeruns with 49 as well as hits with 167. He collected a league best 130 walks too. In addition to his .354 average, you would have to think his OBP was sky high. It was. His .478 led the league as did his .696 slugging percentage.
Gehrig helped his Yankees to the AL title and a World Series win over the cross-town Giants. For his trouble, he earned an MVP award, his second of his career.
| Split | G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1936 Totals | 155 | 719 | 579 | 167 | 205 | 37 | 7 | 49 | 152 | 3 | 130 | 46 | .354 | .478 | .696 |
This is the kind of card that can bat anywhere in the lineup and be productive. Most likely though, you would probably want this bad boy hitting 3rd or 4th though. With power numbers 1-1-4-5-6 and hit numbers 7-7-8-8-8-9-9, Gehrig will drive in runs for you.
Lou has six nifty 14s on his card too that will keep opponent’s pitching on their toes. Watch out for that 62-22 as well!
Fun numbers: 44-6, 21-14, 24-14
Gehrig is a 1B-4 and of course, he is a J-0.
Gehrig had two more good years left in him. He hit .351 and .295 respectively with a combined 66 homeruns in the next two years. In 1939 though, ALS took its toll and he played all of eight games.
thanks, Rich. Good choice!
