Died On This Date

June 2
Gehrig, Lou (Henry Louis)
b. June 19, 1903 d. June 2, 1941
Legendary Baseball Player. Despite his numerous baseball athletic records, he is best remembered for his farewell speech of July 4, 1939 in Yankee Stadium, in which he said goodbye to his fans. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1939, shortly after his retirement, and he was the first baseball player to have his number (4) retired. Born Heinrich Ludwig (Henry Louis) Gehrig in New York City to poor German immigrants, he was the only one of four children to survive to adulthood. Cause of death: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Diddley (Bates), Bo (Elias)
b. December 30, 1928 d. June 2, 2008
Musician. Legendary guitarist and vocalist, he is best known for such hits as "I'm a Man", "Who Do You Love?" and "Pretty Thing". He was born Elias Bates McDaniel in McComb, Mississippi and raised in Chicago. In 1955, he signed with Checkers Records and had hits with "Mona", "Say Man", "Before You Accuse Me" and "Road Runner". Many artists including The Rolling Stones, The Yardbirds and The Doors covered his songs. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.

Harrison (Carey), Rex (Reginald)
b. March 5, 1908 d. June 2, 1990
Actor. Born in Reginald Carey Harrison in Huyton, Lancashire (now Merseyside), England, he adopted the nickname “Rex” at an early age. He spent an apprenticeship with the Liverpool Repertory Theatre (legend has it that the first time he had a line, he forgot it), and made both his London stage and film debuts in 1930. He served as a Flight Lieutenant in the RAF during World War II.

Coca, Imogene
b. November 18, 1908 d. June 2, 2001
She was the elfin actress and satiric comedienne who co-starred with Sid Caesar on television's 1950s classic "Your Show of Shows." Her saucer eyes, fluttering lashes, big smile and boundless energy lit up the TV screen and brought her an Emmy as best actress in 1951. A talented singer and dancer, her spoofs of opera divas and prima ballerinas tiptoed a fine line between dignity and absurdity until she pushed them over the edge. Cause of death: Natural causes.