Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael Schatz
Lou Gehrig, known as “The Iron Horse,” remains one of baseball’s most legendary figures. His career statistics are not just numbers – they tell the story of one of the most dominant and consistent players in MLB history. Here are 10 of his most impressive achievements that showcase why he’s considered one of baseball’s greatest players.
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The Iron Horse’s Incredible Consecutive Games Streak
Between June 1, 1925, and May 2, 1939, Gehrig played an astounding 2,130 consecutive games. This remarkable record stood for 56 years until Cal Ripken Jr. finally surpassed it. During this incredible streak, Gehrig played through numerous injuries including broken fingers, back pain, and being hit by pitches, earning him the nickname “The Iron Horse.”
Achieving Baseball’s Prestigious Triple Crown
In 1934, Gehrig accomplished one of baseball’s rarest feats – the Triple Crown. He led the American League with a .363 batting average, 49 home runs, and 165 RBIs. This remarkable achievement places him among only 17 players in MLB history to earn this prestigious honor.
World Series Excellence That Rivals The Greatest
Gehrig’s World Series performance was nothing short of spectacular. Across 34 World Series games, he maintained a .361 batting average, hit 10 home runs, and drove in 35 RBIs. His World Series OPS of 1.214 ties him with Babe Ruth for third-highest in World Series history.
The Ultimate RBI Machine
With 1,995 RBIs in just 2,164 games, Gehrig averaged an incredible 0.92 RBIs per game. He achieved 13 consecutive seasons with 100+ RBIs (1926-1938), including setting an American League record of 184 RBIs in 1931 – a record that still stands today.
A Career Batting Average Among Baseball’s Elite
Gehrig’s career .340 batting average places him among the top 20 highest career batting averages in MLB history. This remarkable consistency included a .632 slugging percentage and a .447 on-base percentage, demonstrating his exceptional hitting prowess.
The Grand Slam King
Gehrig hit an astounding 23 grand slams during his career, a record that stood for 75 years until Alex Rodriguez broke it in 2013. This statistic showcased his exceptional ability to deliver in high-pressure situations with bases loaded.
Master of Hits and Walks
Gehrig achieved the rare combination of 200 hits and 100 walks in the same season seven different times. This remarkable feat demonstrates his unique ability to both hit for average and maintain exceptional plate discipline, making him one of baseball’s most complete hitters.
MVP Excellence
Gehrig won two American League MVP awards (1927 and 1936) and finished in the top 5 in MVP voting seven times. His 1927 MVP season was particularly impressive, hitting .373 with 47 home runs and 175 RBIs while batting behind Babe Ruth in the legendary “Murderers’ Row” lineup.
The Run-Scoring Machine
Gehrig scored 100 or more runs in 13 consecutive seasons (1926-1938), totaling 1,888 runs scored in his career. This streak of 100+ runs scored seasons is tied for the longest in MLB history, showcasing his exceptional ability to not only get on base but to come around and score.
Extra-Base Hit Excellence
Gehrig amassed an incredible 1,190 extra-base hits in his career, including 493 home runs, 534 doubles, and 163 triples. His career slugging percentage of .632 ranks third all-time in MLB history, behind only Babe Ruth and Ted Williams, demonstrating his exceptional power and ability to hit for extra bases.