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?

[packs]

I doubt it. Derek Jeter wasn't exactly a flashy guy or outrageous personality and he was just fine, even today in an age where there is no privacy for most celebrities and people have instant access to almost anyone via social media.

[billyb]

Packs,
Hard to compare today ballplayer to the 30's. With television, it is a way to connect with the ball player, but in the 30's, fans hung around the ball parks more, just to get a glimpse of a ball players. That was how they interacted with them back then.
If you look at Gehrig's first year without Ruth, 1935, Gehrig's numbers dropped. In 1936, he came back, but did it take a year for Gehrig to adjust?

[packs]

I agree it's hard to compare but for different reasons. Today it is almost impossible to do what Jeter did. No controversy, no episodes, no accusations. But Jeter was still able to handle himself the way he did in the age of information and intrusion.

If he were alive today I'd imagine we would have seen an equally quiet man who played without controversy, establishing himself as a legend while looking comfortable the entire time.

In my opinion, Ruth had no bearing on the greatness of Gehrig.

[billyb]

Packs,
I agree with you, Gehrig would have been great without Ruth around. As I said, I am not bashing Gehrig at all.
I was waiting before I post this, but I feel without Ruth, Gehrig's peak years may have been higher, but in his lesser seasons (which were good for anybody else), I think they would have declined even further. Probably balancing out his career as it is today.

[1963Topps Set]

I have wondered if Gehrig would of put up his numbers on a team like the Cubs or Senators. Remember, with Ruth out of the line up pitchers would not have pitched to Gehrig like they did with Ruth in there. Regardless, if he still was able to put up the numbers without Ruth, he would of been just fine!

[rats60]

Originally Posted by billyb

Packs,
Hard to compare today ballplayer to the 30's. With television, it is a way to connect with the ball player, but in the 30's, fans hung around the ball parks more, just to get a glimpse of a ball players. That was how they interacted with them back then.
If you look at Gehrig's first year without Ruth, 1935, Gehrig's numbers dropped. In 1936, he came back, but did it take a year for Gehrig to adjust?

His numbers in 1935 were about the same as 1933 though. 1934 he had an OPS+ of 206, 2nd highest of his career. I don't think it would have hurt his numbers outside of RBIs.

[CMIZ5290]

Could similar comparisons be made between Maris and Mantle?

[1963Topps Set]

Originally Posted by CMIZ5290

Could similar comparisons be made between Maris and Mantle?

No.. We know Maris could not handle the spotlight.. Mantle could.. Sort of...

[Enfuego]

I think Lou would have performed well under any pressure. Gehrig did not come off as loud a personality as
Babe so I think any attention that came his way would have had zero effect on him and his career


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