Gehrig’s streak begins

Lou Gehrig of the New York Yankees came off the bench on this date in 1925 to pinch-hit for shortstop Pee-Wee Wanninger. The appearance against Walter Johnson, the ace of the Washington Senators, started Gehrig’s streak of 2,130 consecutive games played.

Gehrig, a standout from Columbia University, was batting .174. Nevertheless, manager Miller Huggins, in an effort to shake up his slumping team, inserted Gehrig as a starter the next day to replace regular first baseman Wally Pipp. Gehrig’s streak lasted until May 2, 1939. The Dodgers were scheduled to play the first of three games Monday against the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium. The Angels were ready to start a seven-game trip in Arlington, Texas, with the first of three against the Rangers. Both games were postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here is a look at other memorable games and outstanding sports performances on this date:

▪ 1946 — Assault, with Warren Mehrtens in the saddle and running against a field of six other horses, wins the Belmont Stakes to become the seventh horse to claim the Triple Crown.

▪ 1975 — Nolan Ryan of the Angels pitches his fourth no-hitter to tie Sandy Koufax’s big league record, beating the Baltimore Orioles 1-0 at Anaheim Stadium. Ryan became the first pitcher in history to throw a no-hitter in three consecutive seasons.

▪ 1986 — Pat Bradley is the first player to win all four major women’s golf tournaments when she takes the LPGA Championship, beating Patty Sheehan by one stroke at Kings Island in Mason, Ohio.

▪ 1992 — The Pittsburgh Penguins win the Stanley Cup for the second straight year, beating the Chicago Blackhawks 6-5 for a four-game sweep.