On July 4, 1939, 61,808 devoted fans came to Yankee Stadium to honor the "Iron Horse" on Lou Gehrig Day. Obviously sick, yet very proud, Lou took the microphone and addressed the crowd. He said, "Fans, for the past two weeks you have been reading about the bad break I got. Yet, today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth." Later that year, Lou was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Although there is usually a five-year wait, Lou was allowed in early because it was clear that he was dying. It was just as clear that he deserved to be honored as one of baseballΓÇÖs great heroes.
