“I’m not a headline guy. I know that as long as I was following Ruth to the plate, I could have stood on my head and no one would have known the difference.”

— Lou Gehrig,

New York Yankees

Baseball history has its own unique creativity in reflecting stories like a movie or television script. Some anecdotes resemble a horror story or drama, while others seem like a thriller or a documentary. Some baseball themes may even produce a comedy or lighthearted characterization.

Consider the lives of two Major League Baseball players whose paths intersected: One was sort of nondescript, and the other was a superstar. But because destiny crossed their paths, the lesser-known is in the history books, and the greater-known continues drawing fame. The contrasts and similarities of these two individuals make for good storytelling and great history.

This is the case with Alabama native Paul Louis “Pee Wee” Wanninger and New York’s native son Henry Louis Gehrig, sometimes known as “The Iron Horse.” Wanninger was a diminutive 5-foot-7, 150-pound shortstop, and Gehrig was a muscular 6-foot, 200-pound future Hall of Famer. Lou Gehrig hit with power and average, while Wanninger carried a weak bat and made one error every three games played in the big leagues.

What made “Pee Wee” Wanninger notable? Baseball history is packed with players who were in the right place at the right time. Wanninger was the shortstop on the 1925 Yankees with Babe Ruth, Gehrig and four other future Hall of Fame players. On May 5, 1925, Wanninger replaced Everett Scott at shortstop, ending Scott’s 1,307 consecutive games played. Just a few weeks later, on June 1, 1925, Wanninger was out of the lineup in favor of pinch hitter Lou Gehrig. This was the beginning of Gehrig’s famous 2,130 consecutive-game streak.

Most baseball followers know about Gehrig’s streak being broken by Baltimore Orioles shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. On Sept. 6, 1995, at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Ripken played in game No. 2,131. Seeing that on TV was special, as the fans went wild and gave Ripken a 20-minute standing ovation.

Wanninger had a major league batting average of .234 with one home run and 31 RBIs. He finished his big-league career in 1927 with the Boston Red Sox and Cincinnati Reds. He was a good ballplayer — just not good enough to stay in the majors. His 16 seasons in the minors saw him play in more than 1,200 games. He played for the Augusta team in 1924 and again from 1936 through 1938. Off and on, he also managed a few of the minor league teams where he played.

Wanninger moved to North Augusta in his later years, where his son lived. He passed away at age 78 in 1981.

A study contrasting these two players shows Gehrig was bound for fame, from his days playing ball at Columbia University until his career as a New York Yankees All-Star, according to baseball pundits. After a three-season start in the minors, he joined the Yankees in 1924 and played for them through 1939. The likable Gehrig was well respected and loved by fans all over America. The big first baseman played in 2,164 contests and had a lifetime batting average in 17 seasons of .340 while hitting 439 home runs. This places Gehrig at No. 15 on the all-time major league batting average leaders list. What a super batting average with all that power.

The left-handed slugger had 2,721 hits and was a seven-time All-Star. He was on six New York Yankees World Series championship teams.

Gehrig won the American League MVP in 1927 and 1936. He captured the Triple Crown in 1934, meaning he led the league in batting average, home runs and runs batted in. He led the American League in homers three times and RBIs five times. It would have been nice to see him on June 3, 1932, when he hit four consecutive home runs against the Philadelphia Athletics.

Gehrig was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1939. Baseball fans are moved and touched when watching the video and replays of Gehrig’s “Luckiest Man” retirement speech at Yankee Stadium on July 4, 1939. He was so courageous in battling the dreaded ALS disease, which became known as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease.” His life and career reflected the American spirit, displaying strength, commitment and courage with great humility and dignity.

He left us way too soon at age 37, passing away in Riverdale, New York, on June 2, 1941. His wife, Eleanor, was devoted to Lou and never remarried. She passed away in 1984.

Stories like this make baseball the sport that connects so many times — a spotlight in the sun, so to speak, for a nominal player who gains fame in the most unexpected turn of events. So it was for Mr. Wanninger, who crossed paths with the larger-than-life ballplayer, Mr. Gehrig.

Lamar Garrard is a native of Augusta, Georgia, and a graduate of Richmond Academy and Georgia Southern University. Email him at rlgarrard@nu-z.net.

Lamar Garrard is a native of Augusta, Georgia, and a graduate of Richmond Academy and Georgia Southern University. He developed a passion for baseball history and after meeting and interviewing many former major league players began his writing. He has a permanent exhibit on baseball at the Augusta Museum of History. Email him at rlgarrard@nu-z.net.