Could Gehrig have handled the pressure?

[billyb]

This thread will be all speculation, but one that may have crossed everyone's mind at some point.
Could Gehrig have handle the pressure if there was no Ruth?
We all know Gehrig was more layed back, and seemed to be okay with Ruth grabbing all the attention. Ruth relished that role and even created the frenzy that surrounded him.
That seemed to allow Gehrig to go about with his career without all the spotlight he may have gotten without Ruth around.
So that raised my question. Without Ruth, would it have affected Gehrig's career, with more reporters, fans and recognition surrounding Gehrig on a daily basis?
You would say Gehrig did fine when Ruth was out of the lineup, yes, but Ruth was still on the minds of many, even when he was out of the lineup.
Now, I am not bashing Gehrig or trying to lessen his accomplishments. He was a great player. That is why this is all speculation. Gehrig's personality would not have created the same frenzy, but his spotlight would have been much brighter.
Soooo, would the humble, unassuming Gehrig, been able to handle, being on that Yankee pedestal, for his entire career??

My quick answer is yes. It would have affected his career. How much so???
What do you think?