Not a Disease

Lou Gehrig

Yes, of course. January's "mystery" ballplayer is none other than Lou Gehrig, a huge part of the Yankee dynasty of the '20s and '30s.

His consecutive-game streak of 2,130 was one that many thought would never be broken -- and it wasn't until nearly 60 years later, when Cal Ripken, Jr. played in his 2,131st straight game in 1995.

Gehrig was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a muscular degenerative disease of the central nervous system, in 1939, leading not only to his retirement from baseball but also his premature death two years later.

A friend of my brother once questioned why a disease should be named after the great Lou Gehrig. Doesn't he deserve better than that? I think so. Instead of referring to ALS as "Lou Gehrig's disease," let us rather say, when talking about the terrible condition, "the disease that Lou Gehrig had" or "the disease that took Lou Gehrig's life."

Isn't that a more fitting tribute to the man?