8 Lou Gehrig
Gehrig’s career with the New York Yankees was cut short due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ASL) which is now commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease. It is a neuromuscular condition that causes the motor systems of the central nervous system to deteriorate but the mind stays fully functional.
Two years after his diagnosis, Gehrig passed away. Within the last year, state legislators have requested to unseal Gehrig’s medical records to see if trauma from concussions could have caused his disease. His record-breaking streak of playing 2,130 consecutive games was broken by Cal Ripken Jr, even though it was thought it would never be broken.
