Barons of the Ballpark
Lou Gehrig
Lou Gehrig was known as “The Iron Horse” for his 2,130 consecutive games played streak that lasted until the day before he was forced to retire by advancing ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Despite his “bad break”, Gehrig famously considered himself “the luckiest man on the face of the Earth.” In this 1926 letter to MLB commissioner Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis, Gehrig asked the commissioner’s help in collecting a debt from a baseball club owner. Judge Landis later wrote back to Gehrig saying that he could not help in the dispute.
2079 Eighth Ave
New York, Jan 4, 1926
Judge K. M. Landis
122 South Michigan Ave.
Chicago, Ill.
Dear Judge Landis,
In October, 1924 I filed a claim with you against Mr. James Clarkin, owner of the Hartford Ball Club for $877. Mr. J. Clarkin promised in September, 1923 to give me a present of $1500 provided I return to the Hartford Ball Club of Eastern League for the season of 1924. He promised to pay in two payments, $750 to be given to me on May 1, 1924, and the remaining $750 to be given to me on May 15, 1924. I received the first $750 on July 1, 1924, and have not received second payment to date. The other $127 is back pay which I did not receive. After referring the case to Mr. Farrell on your suggestion, Mr. Farrell did not seem to think I had much chance because I had no proof. Mr. Farrell must have communicated with Mr. Clarkin, for at the meetings in December 1924, Mr. J. O’Hara, Secretary of the Hartford Ball Club offered
$200 to settle the case. I refused this sum at the time.
At the meetings in December 1925, Mr. M. Huggins, Manager of N.Y. Yankees, who knows about this whole affair from its beginning, advised me to see Mr. P. O’Conner, Manager of Hartford Ball team in 1923, 1924 and 1925, to see if he would note my proof and act as my witness. Mr. O’Conner said he would gladly verify the statement of Mr. Clarkin, that Mr. Clarkin promised me a present of $1500 for returning to Hartford for season of 1924.
Mr. M. Huggins then advised me to write Mr. Clarkin and tell him I had a witness, and thereby try to make a settlement, which I did, and to date I have received no reply from Mr. Clarkin. Mr. Huggins then advised me to explain everything to you.
Mr. P. O’Conner’s address is 191 Massasoit – Springfield, Mass. He will be glad to verify and act as a witness to the above facts.
I hope you will grant me a little time to consider this case, and advise me what to do.
Sincerely,
Louis Gehrig
