“Damn Tree Trunks For Legs”: New York Yankees Icon’s Nearly Nude Photo Leaves Fans in Awe of Him 86 Years Later

A dominant force on the field, with his power-hitting and excellent fielding, Lou Gehrig won six World Championships with the New York Yankees in a career that ended too soon. However, in the 16 years he represented the Pinstripes, the 493-homer baseman achieved more than many. But back in 1936, the eventual seven-time All-Star had one interesting ambition which never actually translated into fruition, but found a way to circulate in no time. And it left the legendary Yankees’ baseman quite embarrassed.

A recently resurfaced embarrassing photograph depicts Lou Gehrig, the legendary Yankees’ baseman, shirtless as he tried out for the role of Tarzan at the insistence of his wife and with the help of Babe Ruth’s agent. The image, which was originally captured during the audition for the independent film “Tarzan’s Revenge,” serves as a reminder of Gehrig’s willingness to do whatever it took to please those around him, even if it meant stepping outside of his comfort zone.

A rare photo of Lou Gehrig, the Iron Horse, attempting to play Tarzan

To the Iron Horse’s bad luck, he only got as far as the audition. But this shirtless image leaves behind a memory from that audition, along with another image in a leopard-spotted costume.

As shared by Baseball In Pics, the image visible above, was a “publicity photo of Lou Gehrig as Tarzan,” when the baseman, “was trying to launch a movie career,” in 1936.

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At the same time, fans reminisced about this image of their favorite baseman. While others pointed out the posture of his legs, which was seconded by the producer of the film, Sol Lesser.

Pointing out a cosmetic flaw in his legs, producer Sol Lesser termed Gehrig’s legs as “more functional than decorative” before selecting Olympic decathlon gold medalist Glenn Morris to play the lead role.

The Iron Horse made his first cinema appearance in 1938

However, Lesser made it up to Lou Gehrig by booking the former Yankees baseman in a Twentieth Century-Fox Western called “Rawhide.” In the movie, Gehrig played a version of himself, as a dude rancher in the fictional town of Rawhide.

A year after the movie’s release, Gehrig received his diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. As a result, it brought a premature end to his glorious MLB career. And leading to his untimely demise in 1941, at the tender age of 37.

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What are your views on the resurfaced Lou Gehrig image, and his legs in particular? Share your thoughts in the comments below.