Lou Gehrig Speech

Throughout the course of American history, there have been copious amounts of famous speeches, spoken by many different people. From political figures to sports players; these people have provided deep thoughts and great insights about who they are and the world we live in today. Being a sports enthusiast, a memorable speech comes to my mind. Lou Gehrig’s “farewell speech”, given on July 4th, 1939, to more than 62,000 fans at New York City’s Yankee Stadium, has become a cornerstone in the history of baseball in America. Lou Gehrig is considered one of the most under-rated sports players of all time. Gehrig played in the same era with greats like Babe Ruth and Joe DiMaggio. In Fact, Gehrig played on the

Off the field Ruth reveled in his celebrity status, enjoying a wild and extravagant life. However, his high living and headstrong behavior eventually began to take a toll on his performance. He was still baseball’s premier player but fellow teammate and newcomer Lou Gehrig started to show signs of greatness

How would you feel if someone you love didn’t remember who you are? That was my mother’s experience. My grand-mother Mrs. Mesidor, who died in 2004 at the age of 110 years old was diagnosed with the worse possibly disease “Alzheimer”. She didn’t remember her own kids or her grand-kids. That was a heart-breaking experience for the family.

“I’ve heard people say that the trouble with the world is that we haven’t enough great leaders. I think we haven’t enough great followers. I have stood side by side with great thinkers- surgeons, engineers, economists, men who deserve a great following- and have heard the crowd cheer me instead. I love my profession. I like playing baseball. I love the fans too, but I think they cheered too loudly, and they cheered for the wrong man.” This was quoted by Babe Ruth explaining why he isn’t selfish and why he thinks that others aren’t honored enough for their positions. Leading up to Ruth’s career, he had a terrible life. He later became one of the best baseball players of all time. And now, he inspires others. Because Babe Ruth was confident in

“A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives”- Jackie Robinson (Baseball Almanac). Jackie Robinson’s life accomplished more than impacting others, he impacted a nation. His humble upbringing, strong will, and fight for equality is unmatched by any other. He was one of the first African Americans to stand up for equal rights and broke through many barriers to allow others to fight with him. His Hall of Fame career on the baseball diamond is only a small piece to Jackie’s story of struggle and hardship to reach equality.

Mickey is known for having one of the best baseball careers in history. He was born on October 20, 1931, in Spavinaw, Oklahoma. As a boy he grew up around baseball non-stop. His father who was a baseball-loving player, Mickey Cochrone, played for the Detroit Tigers as a catcher. He taught Mickey Jr. to become a switch hitter as a boy. When in high school a New York MLB scout came to watch him and they got him right of the bat. He played two years in the minors and then he finally played in the majors. At age 19 in 1951 he played his first pro ball game with the Yankees. He spent his whole time with Yankees. He played 18 years with them and had big time awards along the way. He was a three-time American League Most Valuable Player, ( 1956-1957, 1962). He had a total 563 home runs in his career and in 1956 he won the American League Triple Crown award with 52 home runs and 130 runs batted and averaged .353. He was plagued by leg injuries which was caused by osteomyelitis. He officially retired in March 1, 1969. August 13, 1995, at age 63 he died of a heart attack because of drinking problems. He had a wife and three children. Mantle was inducted into the Hall of Fame of MLB in

Jackie was thefirst African American to play modern major league baseball.Jackie's teammates got up a petition to keep him off the ball club. Histeammates would also disrespect him and call him foul names. Some of the ‘fans’would send him death threats. The team jockeys would holler at him to carry theirbags and shine their shoes. There were base runners who dug their spikes into hisshin.Some of his famous quotes are “A life is not important except in the impactit has on other lives.” Also “I'm not concerned with your liking or disliking me... AllI ask is that you respect me as a human being.” And my favorite one is “Baseball islike a poker game. Nobody wants to quit when he's losing; nobody wants you toquit when you're ahead.”Jackie Robinson had a normal size family. He had his mother named MallieRobinson and a father named Jerry Robinson. He had four siblings by the name ofMack Robinson, Willa Mae Robinson, Edgar Robinson, and Frank Robinson. Hethen went off and married a lady by the name of Rachel Robinson. They then hadthree children named David Robinson, Sharon Robinson, and Jackie Robinson Jr.Jackie died on October 24th, 1972. The cause of his death was from heartproblems and diabetes complications which occurred in Stamford,

In http://m.mlb.com/player/121314/jackie-robinson it says, “Jackie Robinson became the first black athlete to play Major League Baseball in the 20th century when he took the field for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. Throughout his decade-long career, Robinson distinguished himself as one of the game's most talented and exciting players, recording an impressive .311 career batting average. He was also a vocal civil rights activist. He died in Connecticut in 1972 from heart problems and diabetes complication.An exceptional base runner, Jackie Robinson stole home 19 times in his career, setting a league record.”

Jackie Robinson is truly a star who will live on forever. He has broken the color barrier for baseball and has changed baseball history forever. As Jackie always said “ I'm not concerned with your liking or disliking me... All I ask is that you respect me as a human

What was a shame was that the audiences did not get to see Satchel when he was in his prime. Satchel was pitching against people that were in their 20s, and he was 42 and still striking batters out which must have shown them how good he must have been(Youtube). If Paige was given an opportunity when he was in his 20s, know one would even know how good he would have been. Paige pitched two seasons with the Indians ,and he pitched three with the Saint Louis browns. Paige would play 5 seasons before he would retire at the age of 46. Twelve years later the Kansas City A’s signed Paige to a 1 day contract becoming the oldest player ever in Major League history at age 59. He threw a scoreless three innings and only allowing one hit (Youtube).

Babe went on to talk about how this was the biggest deal in history at the time. He said that people started calling it “Curse of the Bambino”, because the Red Sox didn’t win a single World Series title after that. He went on to talk about all his baseball secrets and little stories with the broadcasters and viewers. Then the question came of his retirement and why he chooses to leave the Yankees. He talked about his health and that it was time for him to focus on that and his family. The many great years and experiences that he had would always be something for him to remember for years to

He died because of heart disease and complications with diabetes at the age of 53 years old (“Jackie” Jackie). These events in his childhood were the foundation of his taking a stand in history through his baseball

The credibility, or ethos, of Gehrig's speech was already there before he ever started the speech. At the time of the speech Gehrig held one MLB record, Gehrig had played in 2,130 consecutive baseball games, quite possibly the most honorable MLB record. He was very well known and well respected by all fans and players. In his speech Gehrig says, “Who wouldn’t consider it an honor to have known Jacob Ruppert? Also, the builder of baseball’s greatest empire, Ed Barrow? To have spent six years with that wonderful little fellow, Miller Huggins? Then to have spent the next nine years with that outstanding leader, that smart student of psychology, the best manager in baseball today, Joe McCarthy?”(1). In saying it showed his personal side of his baseball career, the places he has been, and the people he's had the wonderful opportunity to play baseball with. The respect the fans and players had for Gehrig only made his speech more credible, Lou Gehrig was loved by all baseball fans.

Lou Gehrig died in his home. A monument dedicated to him by the team on center field in

n the news article ,Yogi Berra, by Jeff Robertson published on September 23,2015, it talks about Yogi Berra’s life. Yogi Berra was a baseball legend that had made alot of friends in his years. Yogi was raised in St. ,Louis, Missouri and attended school at South Side Catholic School but dropped out of school by 8th grade. Yogi was also known for his sayings like for instance “ Its not over till its over “ ~ Yogi Berra. Yogi Berra has a World Series ring for every finger and some which is 14 rings. Yogi Berra has particapated in 14 World Series and played 15 consecutive All Star games , then was allected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972. Sadly Yogi Berra took his last at bat on May 9, 1965 3 days away from his birthday and unfortunatly