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The season he officially became "The Iron Horse!"

1933 Lou Gehrig Signed New York Yankees Player's Contract. They had been teammates when Lou Gehrig's illustrious consecutive games streak began on June 1, 1925, less than a month after Miller Huggins benched Everett Scott in favor of Pee Wee Wanninger to end the star shortstop's unbroken chain at 1,307. But eight years later, these paragons of durability would meet again at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis, the retired Scott watching from the home dugout as a guest of the Browns as Gehrig assumed his throne on August 17, 1933 with game number 1,308.

Gehrig would play over eight hundred more before the progression of his terminal illness ended the streak, but the 1933 season would prove to be the Hall of Fame first baseman's greatest challenge before the end. On April 23, 1933, Gehrig was struck in the head by a pitch thrown by Washington Senators southpaw Earl Whitehill, leaving him teetering on the edge of consciousness. He'd nonetheless soldier on, take his base, and even score before the inning was over. Less than two months later, Gehrig and manager Joe McCarthy were ejected during a Fenway Park dust-up, but Gehrig had already batted, thus preserving the streak.

Presented is the contract that secured Lou Gehrig's pinstriped service during that historic, dangerous season, one of the most important documents of Yankeedom that Heritage has had the privilege to present to the collecting community. The standard-format four-page document assigns a salary of $23,000 on the opening page, while page two provides a Hall of Fame triumvirate of Bronx legends. General manager Ed Barrow signs for himself and owner Jacob Ruppert, while the Iron Horse supplies his rarest and most desirable "Henry Louis Gehrig" autograph format. Each signature is marvelously bold, appearing near an imprinted seal of the "American League Baseball Club New York, Inc." A fourth Hall of Famer, William Harridge, signs as president of the American League on the "cover" as a folded document.

The "March 10, 1933" date of the covenant would have found the reigning World Champion enjoying the Sunshine State as he prepared for the challenging but brilliant season ahead (.334 average, 32 home runs, 140 runs batted in). Gehrig would also start at first base in the inaugural Major League All-Star Game at midseason, and finish fourth in MVP balloting at its end.

The document presents virtually flawlessly, with only original storage folds to report. Full LOA from PSA/DNA.


Auction Info

Auction Dates
August, 2020
29th-30th Saturday-Sunday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 29
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 2,295

Buyer's Premium per Lot:
20% of the successful bid per lot.

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Sold on Aug 29, 2020 for: $138,000.00
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