Mom and Pop Gehrig didn't know a thing about baseball. Back in the Old Country they had never even heard of the game. But Louis had been born in New York City and his parents wanted him to grow up an American boy.

One Christmas morning there was a present beside the tiny tree to delight the heart of any red-blooded young American. It was a thick leather catcher's mitt–a real baseball glove! How were Mom and Pop to know the glove wouldn't fit their left-handed son very well? Now when spring came, Louie could join the sand-lot games with the older boys. He'd show 'em!

The neighborhood gang spent every spare minute at the vacant lot on the corner. At first they let Louie play only because he brought along his catcher's mitt. They teased him about being awkward, and called him "Fat"—until he won their respect in a good fight. After that, they were glad to have him on their side. He took the game seriously, practiced constantly to improve his swing and to overcome his bad habit of "stepping in the bucket." When he did connect, the ball went a long way!

After baseball season, there was football, after football the boys had snowball fights. Lou was surprisingly good at football, but he liked baseball better. He worked hard at both sports, just as he worked hard at school and to help the family by earning money. There was little time for mischief–except when the boys put old Beanpole in his place. This policeman wasn't nearly so friendly as Fishcakes, who didn't object to early morning games and thought his nickname was a good joke. Once Beanpole caught the boys swimming in the Harlem River without any clothes. They got thrashings and Pop made Lou square himself with the law officers.

At Commerce High, Lou thought he should forget sports. His father was too ill to work steadily. Mom needed more help than ever. When he didn't try out for the team, his classmates thought he had no school spirit. Finally an understanding teacher learned the situation and persuaded Lou and his parents that athletics are a valuable part of school life.

During his senior year, the Commerce High team won the city championship and went to Chicago to meet Lane Tech. Because of Lou's grand-slam home run at a crucial moment, the New York Daily News printed his picture and compared him to Babe Ruth. Mom wanted to know who this "Baby Ruth" was!

Lou Gehrig, the first sports subject, deserves a place in the Childhood of Famous Americans series not only because he was one of the greatest players in baseball history but because his character exemplifies the best to be found in any profession.

The story of his boyhood has everything —thrills, suspense, fast action, lots of baseball talk, all told against the exciting background of the big city and the sand lots. The emergence of a fine citizen from a boy in the melting pot truly makes a book for all good sports!

From the dust jacket