The contract signed by Lou Gehrig at the beginning of his first full season in the major leagues is going on the auction block.
Steiner Auctions says it will offer the pact on consignment in its Fall Classic catalog, set to open for bidding in mid-October.
Gehrig, 21 at the time, signed the document “H.L. Gehrig”. It’s stamped on April 16, 1925, the day of the Yankees’ third game of the season. It’s also signed by Yankees executive Ed Barrow, who also signed for team owner Jacob Ruppert. Gehrig didn’t play that day, but would begin his streak of playing in 2,130 consecutive games on June 1 when he took over at first base for Wally Pipp. Gehrig also saw limited action in right field for the Yanks early in the season. He would finish the year with a .295 average, 20 homers and 88 RBI.
The contract is expected to fetch a six-figure price. In July of 2014, Gehrig’s first contract with the Yankees, signed in 1924, sold for $358,500 through Heritage Auctions.
Gehrig’s 1925 salary with the Yankees was $3,750 ($53,823 today).
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