This day in sports history: Yankees great Lou Gehrig hits first homer; Lions rookie ends 19-game losing streak

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New York Yankees legend Lou Gehrig made his MLB debut at age 19 over a century ago, and on Sept. 27, 1923 – exactly 100 years ago – he hit his first home run against the Boston Red Sox. 

Gehrig made his first appearance for the Yankees June 15, 1923, in the ninth inning against the St. Louis Browns. 

Lou Gehrig whacks a double into left center in a game at Yankee Stadium in 1938.   (Mark Rucker/Transcendental Graphics, Getty Images)

He played in just 13 games that season, but an injury to first baseman Wally Pipp in late September gave Gehrig the chance to hit the first of hundreds of home runs in his 17-year career.

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Batting fourth behind Babe Ruth, Gehrig hit his first of 493 career home runs in the Yankees’ 8-3 win over the Red Sox. He finished the four-game series against Boston hitting a .474 with six RBIs, three doubles and a triple, according to MLB.com.  

Gehrig’s legacy included what many considered to be his unbreakable record of 2,130 consecutive games played. The streak stood for 56 years before it was broken by Cal Ripken Jr. in 1995.

Gord Lane (center, in white) of the New York Islanders is restrained by New York Ranger Willie Huber as he confronts Ranger goalie John Vanbiesbrouck behind the net in February 1985 at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y. (Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images)

The New York Rangers and New York Islanders share one of the most storied rivalries in sports history, but their story seemingly began Sept. 27, 1972, following a meaningless preseason exhibition game. 

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