Was ALS really the cause of Lou Gehrig’s death?

Michigan Public | By Stateside Staff

Published June 15, 2016 at 4:10 PM EDT

There are questions of whether Yankee great Lou Gehrig died of ALS or from head trauma, says Howard Markel.

Dr. Howard Markel on questions about how Lou Gehrig died

On the Fourth of July in 1939, Lou Gehrig said farewell to fans at Yankee Stadium because he had contracted a fatal disease. He added, “I might have been given a bad break, but I’ve got an awful lot to live for.”

Gehrig was diagnosed with ALS, more commonly known as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease.”

Regular Stateside contributor Dr. Howard Markel said there are some questions as to whether Gehrig received the proper diagnosis. If it wasn't ALS, then what could have killed the Yankee legend?

GUEST

Howard Markel is a University of Michigan medical historian and PBS Newshourcontributor.

Stateside Staff