Long before he was known as the "Iron Horse", Lou Gehrig earned the monicker as the "Babe Ruth of the High Schools",for his monterous grand slam home run to ice a high school championship game at Chicago's Cubs Park (Wrigley Field), against Lane High School on Saturday, June 26, 1920.
In the ninth inning of a 8-6 game in favor of Commerce, Lou, who was erroneously listed as "Hank Ghherig", slammed the second pitch offered by pitcher Ryrholm, (his first name not available),out of Cubs Park with three mates on base. According to the report,the ball landed on the front porch across the street.
With scouts in the stands with their mouths open in amazement, and the crowdbuzzing with excitement over Gehrig's clout, this is what the Chicago Tribune for Sunday, June 27, 1920 had to say:
'Gehrig's blow would have
made any big leaguer
proud. Yet, it was
walloped by a boy who
hasn't yet started to
shave'.
For fans watching the game that day, it had to be a site to behold, watching a 17 year old high school player who would later terrorize American League pitching, crushed a ball completely out of Wrigley. Little did people realize that Gehrig's home run was an inkling of things to come.
� Jay Gauthreaux now resides in Memphis, TN with his wife and son where he is now researching the history of Memphis baseball.
Also by Jay Gauthreaux
� The Day Lou Gehrig Struck Out 17
� Louisiana Managers
� Arthur "Bugs" Raymond: Wry (Rye) Sense of Humor?
� Don't Forget Jimmy Dygert!
� More submissions
Copyright © 2004 by Jay Gauthreaux. Posted June 22, 2004.
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