(Speech Review By: Delani Ennis)
On July 4th, 1939 one of the greatest speeches of all time was given. It was a hot muggy day in New York City when a recently retired Yankee first baseman, Lou Gehrig uttered the famous words, “Fans for the past two weeks you have been reading about the bad break I got, yet today, I consider myself to be the luckiest man on the face of the earth.”
The bad break being referred to is his diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, ALS, which is now better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. A nervous system disease in which nerve cells start to break down, weaken muscles, and impact physical function. The cause is unknown and unfortunately, to this day, is still incurable.
This diagnosis, which forced his retirement, pretty much guaranteed he would have less than two years to live, and yet he considers himself the “luckiest man alive”? Gehrig went on to detail his amazing journey throughout his baseball career, the incredible men that surrounded his success, as well as his personal blessings, and family. In closing, he stated “So, I close in saying, that I may have had a tough break, but I still have an awful lot to live for.”
The strength and dignity needed to put into words his good fortune instead of bitterness and anger at coming demise is not only a testament of Gehrig’s character but proof of what a strong man he is. To this day, his speech is still continuing to touch and inspire many and is capable of bringing a grown man to tears.
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