When Was Lou Gehrig S Speech

When Was Lou Gehrig's Speech? Unpacking the "Luckiest Man" Moment

Lou Gehrig's farewell speech, delivered on July 4, 1939, remains one of the most iconic and moving moments in baseball history. More than just a goodbye, it's a testament to resilience, humility, and the power of the human spirit. This post will delve into the specifics of when this legendary speech took place, explore the context surrounding it, examine its impact, and uncover some lesser-known facts. We’ll unravel the story behind the speech, its enduring legacy, and why it continues to resonate with audiences today. Get ready to revisit a pivotal moment in American history and sports lore.

The Date: July 4th, 1939 – A Day of Contrasting Emotions

The precise date – July 4th, 1939 – is crucial to understanding the impact of Lou Gehrig's speech. Independence Day, a celebration of freedom and national pride, provided a powerful backdrop for a man facing his own mortality. The irony wasn't lost on anyone present at Yankee Stadium that day. While the nation celebrated its independence, Gehrig was confronting the limitations imposed by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the disease that would eventually claim his life. This juxtaposition of national jubilation and personal tragedy added an extra layer of poignancy to his words.

The Setting: Yankee Stadium – A Stage for Farewell

The speech wasn't delivered in a quiet, private setting. It took place at Yankee Stadium, Gehrig's home for years, a place where he’d achieved immense success and built an enduring legacy. This choice of location underscored the public nature of Gehrig's farewell and his openness about his battle with ALS. The roaring crowd, usually a source of cheers and excitement, now served as a silent, respectful witness to a profoundly personal moment. The stadium itself became a powerful symbol of his career and the bittersweet culmination of his journey.

The Context: Lou Gehrig's Diagnosis and the Weight of Expectations

Understanding when the speech occurred requires understanding the context leading up to it. Gehrig, a legendary first baseman for the New York Yankees, was diagnosed with ALS in June 1939. This diagnosis came as a shock to both Gehrig and his fans. The "Iron Horse," known for his incredible strength and stamina, was now facing a debilitating disease that would gradually rob him of his physical abilities. The weight of expectation, both his own and that of his fans, added another layer of complexity to his situation. The speech, therefore, wasn't just a farewell to baseball; it was a farewell to a life lived to the fullest, despite the looming shadow of death.

The Speech Itself: "The Luckiest Man" – A Message of Gratitude and Hope

The speech itself is a masterpiece of brevity and heartfelt emotion. Though only a few hundred words, it encapsulates a lifetime of achievement and a profound acceptance of his fate. The famous line, "Today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth," is a testament to Gehrig’s ability to find gratitude amidst unimaginable hardship. This sentiment, far from being naive, reflects a deep understanding of his life’s blessings, even in the face of his impending demise. The speech's power lies in its simplicity, honesty, and unwavering positivity.

The Legacy: Enduring Impact on Culture and ALS Awareness

Gehrig's speech continues to resonate with audiences today, transcending the boundaries of sports and touching upon universal themes of resilience, acceptance, and the importance of perspective. It has become a symbol of hope and inspiration for those facing adversity, serving as a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always something to be grateful for. Furthermore, the speech has significantly raised awareness of ALS, prompting more research and support for those affected by this devastating disease. The annual Lou Gehrig Day, celebrated across baseball, stands as a lasting testament to his legacy.

The Lasting Power of a Few Hundred Words

The seemingly simple act of delivering a speech on July 4th, 1939, had a profound and lasting impact. Gehrig's eloquence, his humility, and his unwavering spirit continue to inspire generations. His words have transcended the realm of baseball, becoming a touchstone for anyone facing challenges, reminding us of the importance of gratitude, courage, and the inherent strength of the human spirit. The date itself – July 4th – only enhances the speech's significance, weaving a tapestry of national pride and personal triumph against the odds.


Article Outline:

Name: Unveiling the Legacy: Lou Gehrig's Farewell Speech

Introduction: Hooking the reader with the emotional power of Gehrig's speech and outlining the article's scope.
Chapter 1: The precise date and setting of the speech.
Chapter 2: The context surrounding the speech: Gehrig's diagnosis and the weight of expectation.
Chapter 3: Analysis of the speech itself: key themes, tone, and its lasting impact.
Chapter 4: The speech's enduring legacy: its cultural impact and contributions to ALS awareness.
Conclusion: Summarizing the significance of the speech and its continued relevance.


(Each chapter would then be expanded upon, providing detailed information as outlined above.)


FAQs:

1. What disease did Lou Gehrig have? Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.
2. Where was Lou Gehrig's farewell speech given? Yankee Stadium in New York City.
3. What was the most famous line from Lou Gehrig's speech? "Today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth."
4. Why did Lou Gehrig give his speech on July 4th? It was a powerful juxtaposition of national celebration and personal struggle.
5. How long was Lou Gehrig's farewell speech? It was relatively short, only a few hundred words.
6. What was the impact of Lou Gehrig's speech? It raised awareness for ALS and continues to inspire people facing adversity.
7. What team did Lou Gehrig play for? The New York Yankees.
8. Is there a day dedicated to Lou Gehrig? Yes, Lou Gehrig Day is celebrated annually in baseball.
9. What makes Lou Gehrig's speech so memorable? Its combination of honesty, humility, and profound gratitude in the face of adversity.



Related Articles:

1. The Life and Career of Lou Gehrig: A comprehensive biography covering his baseball career and personal life.
2. The Medical Aspects of ALS: An in-depth look at the disease, its symptoms, and current research.
3. The Impact of Lou Gehrig's Speech on ALS Awareness: Discussing the lasting impact on research and fundraising.
4. Famous Speeches in Sports History: Comparing Gehrig's speech to other iconic moments in sports.
5. The Role of Yankee Stadium in Baseball History: Exploring the history and significance of the stadium.
6. Overcoming Adversity: Lessons from Lou Gehrig's Life: Analyzing Gehrig’s life as a source of inspiration.
7. The Evolution of Baseball in the 20th Century: Placing Gehrig's career within its historical context.
8. The Power of Public Speaking: Analyzing Gehrig's Delivery: A closer look at the rhetorical devices employed.
9. The Cultural Significance of July 4th in American History: Exploring the historical context of the day Gehrig chose for his speech.


  when was lou gehrig s speech: Luckiest Man Jonathan Eig, 2010-05-11 The definitive account of the life and tragic death of baseball legend Lou Gehrig. Lou Gehrig was a baseball legend—the Iron Horse, the stoic New York Yankee who was the greatest first baseman in history, a man whose consecutive-games streak was ended by a horrible disease that now bears his name. But as this definitive new biography makes clear, Gehrig’s life was more complicated—and, perhaps, even more heroic—than anyone really knew. Drawing on new interviews and more than two hundred pages of previously unpublished letters to and from Gehrig, Luckiest Man gives us an intimate portrait of the man who became an American hero: his life as a shy and awkward youth growing up in New York City, his unlikely friendship with Babe Ruth (a friendship that allegedly ended over rumors that Ruth had had an affair with Gehrig’s wife), and his stellar career with the Yankees, where his consecutive-games streak stood for more than half a century. What was not previously known, however, is that symptoms of Gehrig’s affliction began appearing in 1938, earlier than is commonly acknowledged. Later, aware that he was dying, Gehrig exhibited a perseverance that was truly inspiring; he lived the last two years of his short life with the same grace and dignity with which he gave his now-famous “luckiest man” speech. Meticulously researched and elegantly written, Jonathan Eig’s Luckiest Man shows us one of the greatest baseball players of all time as we’ve never seen him before.
  when was lou gehrig s speech: The Pride of the Yankees Richard Sandomir, 2017-06-13 I CONSIDER MYSELF THE LUCKIEST MAN ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH. On July 4, 1939, baseball great Lou Gehrig delivered what has been called baseball's Gettysburg Address at Yankee Stadium and gave a speech that included the phrase that would become legendary. He died two years later and his fiery widow, Eleanor, wanted nothing more than to keep his memory alive. With her forceful will, she and the irascible producer Samuel Goldwyn quickly agreed to make a film based on Gehrig's life, The Pride of the Yankees. Goldwyn didn't understand -- or care about -- baseball. For him this film was the emotional story of a quiet, modest hero who married a spirited woman who was the love of his life, and, after a storied career, gave a short speech that transformed his legacy. With the world at war and soldiers dying on foreign soil, it was the kind of movie America needed. Using original scrips, letters, memos, and other rare documents, Richard Sandomir tells the behind-the-scenes story of how a classic was born. There was the so-called Scarlett O'Hara-like search to find the actor to play Gehrig; the stunning revelations Elanor made to the scriptwriter Paul Gallico about her life with Lou; the intensive training Cooper underwent to learn how to catch, throw, and hit a baseball for the first time; and the story of two now-legendary Hollywood actors in Gary Cooper and Teresa Wright whose nuanced performances endowed the Gehrigs with upstanding dignity and cemented the baseball icon's legend. Sandomir writes with great insight and aplomb, painting a fascinating portrait of a bygone Hollywood era, a mourning widow with a dream, and the shadow a legend cast on one of the greatest sports films of all time.
  when was lou gehrig s speech: Lou Gehrig David A. Adler, 1997 Designed for teachers to easily integrate career awareness into their daily lesson plans.
  when was lou gehrig s speech: Iron Horse: Lou Gehrig in His Time Ray Robinson, 2006-04-17 All these many years down the road, Lou Gehrig's reputation still holds up as does Ray Robinson's elegant biography. –Bob Costas Lou Gehrig will go down in history as one of the best ballplayers of all time; he was elected to the Hall of Fame and played in a record-setting 2,130 consecutive games. ALS known today as Lou Gehrig's Disease robbed him of his physical skills at a relatively young age, and he died in 1941. Ray Robinson re-creates the life of this legendary ballplayer and also provides an insightful look at baseball, including all the great players of that era: Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, and more.
  when was lou gehrig s speech: Lou Gehrig Alan D. Gaff, 2020-05-12 The lost memoir from Lou Gehrig—“a compelling rumination by a baseball icon and a tragic hero” (Sports Illustrated) and “a fitting tribute to an inspiring baseball legend” (Publishers Weekly). At the tender age of twenty-four, Lou Gehrig decided to tell the remarkable story of his life and career. He was one of the most famous athletes in the country, in the midst of a record-breaking season with the legendary 1927 World Series–winning Yankees. In an effort to grow Lou’s star, pioneering sports agent Christy Walsh arranged for Lou’s tale of baseball greatness to syndicate in newspapers across the country. Those columns were largely forgotten and lost to history—until now. Lou comes alive in this “must-read” (Tyler Kepner, The New York Times) memoir. It is an inspiring, heartfelt rags-to-riches tale about a poor kid from New York who became one of the most revered baseball players of all time. Fourteen years after his account, Lou would tragically die from ALS, a neuromuscular disorder now known as Lou Gherig’s Disease. His poignant autobiography is followed by an insightful biographical essay by historian Alan D. Gaff. Here is Lou—Hall of Famer, All Star, MVP, an “athlete who epitomized the American dream” (Christian Science Monitor)—back at bat.
  when was lou gehrig s speech: Lou Gehrig Richard Bak, 1995 From the bestselling author of Ty Cobb comes a definitive biography of Lou Gehrig, The Iron Horse. Gehrig was voted the MVP Award three times, set the American League record for RBI, and hit 493 home runs--including 23 grand slams, an all-time record. Bak explores the rift between Gehrig and Babe Ruth and examines the more controversial aspects of Gehrig's life. Photos.
  when was lou gehrig s speech: The Ashes of Lou Gehrig and Other Baseball Essays Sean Peter Kirst, 2010-07-27 The parents and widow of Lou Gehrig were so concerned about the potential desecration of his grave that they considered moving his ashes to the Hall of Fame. Officials embraced the idea of creating a mausoleum for baseball greats, but the idea was killed by Gehrig's wife--whose cryptic remarks leave us wondering to this day about the disposition of his remains. Kirst's essay on Gehrig's ashes and numerous other essays are put together from dozens of personal interviews with baseball characters. Babe Dahlgren claims he was blacklisted for rumors of marijuana use; Babe Ruth sends a note to a child stricken with polio--a note nearly lost when the family moved, and the first physical confirmation obtained by the Hall of Fame of the slugger's legendary kindness to children; a black cat is brought to the ballpark as a gesture of contempt when Jackie Robinson plays against Syracuse, a team he felt treated him as badly as any in the International League. The collection contains new information about the father of baseball card collecting, about a bat company whose accomplishments were lost in baseball lore, and about the murder trial of the first African American to play in the Major Leagues. Beautifully written, filled with fresh facts and revelations, these essays will appeal.
  when was lou gehrig s speech: Gehrig and the Babe Tony Castro, 2018-04-01 The legendary achievements of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig are undeniable hallmarks of baseball history. Much has been written about the two men as teammates, but Ruth and Gehrig's relationship away from the field is rarely, if ever, explored. In Gehrig and the Babe, Tony Castro portrays Ruth and Gehrig for what they were: American icons who were remarkably different men. For the first time, readers will learn about a friendship driven apart, an enduring feud which wove its way in and out of their Yankees glory years and chilled their interactions until July 4, 1939—Lou Gehrig Day at Yankee Stadium—when Gehrig's famous farewell address thawed out their stone silence.
  when was lou gehrig s speech: Tuesdays with Morrie Mitch Albom, 2007-06-29 #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A special 25th anniversary edition of the beloved book that has changed millions of lives with the story of an unforgettable friendship, the timeless wisdom of older generations, and healing lessons on loss and grief—featuring a new afterword by the author “A wonderful book, a story of the heart told by a writer with soul.”—Los Angeles Times “The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in.” Maybe it was a grandparent, or a teacher, or a colleague. Someone older, patient and wise, who understood you when you were young and searching, helped you see the world as a more profound place, gave you sound advice to help you make your way through it. For Mitch Albom, that person was his college professor Morrie Schwartz. Maybe, like Mitch, you lost track of this mentor as you made your way, and the insights faded, and the world seemed colder. Wouldn’t you like to see that person again, ask the bigger questions that still haunt you, receive wisdom for your busy life today the way you once did when you were younger? Mitch Albom had that second chance. He rediscovered Morrie in the last months of the older man’s life. Knowing he was dying, Morrie visited with Mitch in his study every Tuesday, just as they used to back in college. Their rekindled relationship turned into one final “class”: lessons in how to live. “The truth is, Mitch,” he said, “once you learn how to die, you learn how to live.” Tuesdays with Morrie is a magical chronicle of their time together, through which Mitch shares Morrie’s lasting gift with the world.
  when was lou gehrig s speech: Last Ride of the Iron Horse Dan Joseph, 2019-06-12 Last Ride of the Iron Horse tells the tale of Lou Gehrig's final year in the Yankee lineup, as he dealt with early effects of the paralytic disease ALS. For much of the 1938 season, the legendary Gehrig -- dubbed the Iron Horse for his strength and reliability -- struggled with slumps and a mystifying loss of power that shook his confidence. Fans booed and sportswriters called for him to be benched. Then, as the Yankees battled for the pennant in August, Lou began pounding home runs like his old self -- a turnaround that in retrospect looks truly miraculous. It may have been a rare case of temporary ALS reversal. Using hard-to-find film footage, radio broadcasts, newspapers and interviews, author Dan Joseph chronicles Gehrig's roller coaster of a year. It began in Hollywood, where the handsome Larrupin' Lou filmed a Western that turned out to be his only movie. In subsequent months, he signed for baseball's highest salary, battled injuries that would have sidelined a lesser man, won his sixth World Series ring, and entered the political arena for the first time, denouncing the rising threat of Nazism. Joseph also seeks to answer questions that have long intrigued Gehrig's admirers: when did he sense something was wrong with his body? What were the first signs? How did he adjust? And did he still help the Yankees win the championship, even as his skills declined? 1938 turned out to be Gehrig's final hurrah. With his strength and reflexes fading, he ended his renowned consecutive games streak at 2,130 the following May. A few weeks later, doctors at the Mayo Clinic diagnosed him with ALS. On July 4th, the Yankees retired his number in a ceremony at Yankee Stadium. All along, Gehrig showed remarkable courage and grace, never more so than when he told the stadium crowd, I might have been given a bad break, but I've got an awful lot to live for.
  when was lou gehrig s speech: The Boy Who Knew Too Much Cathy Byrd, 2017-03-21 The compelling and heartwarming story of a young baseball prodigy who began sharing vivid memories of being famed American baseball player Lou Gehrig. At the tender age of two, baseball prodigy Christian Haupt began sharing vivid memories of being a baseball player in the 1920s and '30s. From riding cross-country on trains, to his fierce rivalry with Babe Ruth, Christian described historical facts about the life of American hero and baseball legend Lou Gehrig that he could not have possibly known at the time. Distraught by her son's uncanny revelations, Christian's mother, Cathy, embarked on a sacred journey of discovery that would shake her beliefs to the core and forever change her views on life and death. In this compelling and heartwarming memoir, Cathy Byrd shares her remarkable experiences, the lessons she learned as she searched to find answers to this great mystery, and a story of healing in the lives of these intertwined souls. The Boy Who Knew Too Much will inspire even the greatest skeptics to consider the possibility that love never dies.
  when was lou gehrig s speech: A Legend in the Making Richard J. Tofel, 2002 Here is the story of perhaps the greatest team in baseball history and of one of the game's most remarkable seasons. With Babe Ruth having retired but Lou Gehrig still in his prime, the Yankees in 1939 won their fourth consecutive world series -- and forever established the Yankee legend.
  when was lou gehrig s speech: Statement From the Dock at the Rivonia Trial Nelson Mandela, 2021-04-11 I Am Prepared to Die is the three-hour speech given by Nelson Mandela on 20 April 1964 from the dock of the defendant at the Rivonia Trial. Anybody would enjoy one of the greatest speeches of the 20th century, and a key moment in the history of South African democracy.
  when was lou gehrig s speech: Waiting for Pumpsie Barry Wittenstein, 2018-03-29 Read Along or Enhanced eBook: In 1959 the Boston Red Sox was the last team in the Major Leagues to integrate. But when they call Elijah “Pumpsie” Green up from the minors, Bernard is overjoyed to see a black player on his beloved home team. And, when Pumpsie’s first home game is scheduled, Bernard and his family head to Fenway Park. Bernard is proud of Pumpsie and hopeful that this historic event is the start of great change in America. This fictionalized account captures the true story of baseball player Pumpsie Green’s rise to the major leagues. The story is a snapshot of the Civil Rights Movement and a great discussion starter about the state of race relations in the United States today. From the Hardcover edition.
  when was lou gehrig s speech: Lou Gehrig Disease, Als Or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Explained. Als Symptoms, Signs, Stages, Types, Diagnosis, Treatment, Caregiver Tips, Aids And Robert Rymore, 2013-08-01 The author, Robert Rymore, had a good friend who was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig Disease. He wanted to be able to help her and decided to buy some books about the disease. To his disappointment there was a lack of good informative books available on the subject. He decided to investigate the subject thoroughly and write a book about it to be able to help others. He decided he would start talking to professionals - doctors, physical therapists, speech therapists and occupational therapists - to learn more. He quickly realized the information he was getting would be extremely valuable for other people with ALS and their loved ones. This book has been a labor of love, one born of necessity and certainly one that aims to help those with ALS, their families, and their friends. ALS symptoms, signs, stages, types, diagnosis, treatment, caregiver tips, aids and what to expect is all covered. Including chapters about financial considerations, famous people with Lou Gehrig Disease and resources. The book is written in an easy to read and understandable style and contains tips for caregivers.
  when was lou gehrig s speech: A River of Words Jen Bryant, 2008-07-09 2009 Caldecott Honor Book An ALA Notable Book A New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book A Charlotte Zolotow Honor Book NCTE Notable Children’s Book When he wrote poems, he felt as free as the Passaic River as it rushed to the falls. Willie’s notebooks filled up, one after another. Willie’s words gave him freedom and peace, but he also knew he needed to earn a living. So he went off to medical school and became a doctor -- one of the busiest men in town! Yet he never stopped writing poetry. In this picture book biography of William Carlos Williams, Jen Bryant’s engaging prose and Melissa Sweet’s stunning mixed-media illustrations celebrate the amazing man who found a way to earn a living and to honor his calling to be a poet.
  when was lou gehrig s speech: When I Was Eight Christy Jordan-Fenton, Margaret-Olemaun Pokiak-Fenton, 2020-06-30 Bestselling memoir Fatty Legs for younger readers. Olemaun is eight and knows a lot of things. But she does not know how to read. Ignoring her father’s warnings, she travels far from her Arctic home to the outsiders’ school to learn. The nuns at the school call her Margaret. They cut off her long hair and force her to do menial chores, but she remains undaunted. Her tenacity draws the attention of a black-cloaked nun who tries to break her spirit at every turn. But the young girl is more determined than ever to learn how to read. Based on the true story of Margaret Pokiak-Fenton, and complemented by stunning illustrations, When I Was Eight makes the bestselling Fatty Legs accessible to younger readers. Now they, too, can meet this remarkable girl who reminds us what power we hold when we can read.
  when was lou gehrig s speech: When the Body Says No Gabor Maté, MD, 2011-02-11 INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER From renowned mental health expert and speaker Dr. Gabor Maté, this acclaimed, bestselling guide provides insight into the mind-body link between illness and health, and the critical role that stress and our emotional makeup play in an array of common diseases. In this accessible and groundbreaking book—filled with the moving stories of real people—medical doctor and bestselling author Gabor Maté shows that emotion and psychological stress play a powerful role in the onset of chronic illness, including breast cancer, prostate cancer, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease and many others. An international bestseller translated into over thirty languages, When the Body Says No promotes learning and healing, providing transformative insights into how illlness can be the body's way of saying no to what the mind cannot or will not acknowledge. With great compassion and erudition, Dr. Maté demystifies medical science and empowers us all to be our own health advocates.
  when was lou gehrig s speech: American Heritage Book of Great American Speeches for Young People Suzanne McIntire, 2002-07-15 The history of the United States has been characterized by ferventidealism, intense struggle, and radical change. And for everycritical, defining moment in American history, there were thosewhose impassioned voices rang out, clear and true, and whose wordscompelled the minds and hearts of all who heard them. When PatrickHenry declared, Give me liberty, or give me death!, when MartinLuther King Jr. said, I have a dream, Americans listened and wereprofoundly affected. These speeches stand today as testaments tothis great nation made up of individuals with bold ideas andunshakeable convictions. The American Heritage Book of Great American Speeches for YoungPeople includes over 100 speeches by founding fathers, patriots,Native American and African American leaders, abolitionists,women's suffrage and labor activists, writers, athletes, and othersfrom all walks of life, featuring inspiring and unforgettablespeeches by such notable speakers as: Patrick Henry * Thomas Jefferson * Tecumseh * Frederick Douglass *Sojourner Truth * Abraham Lincoln * Susan B. Anthony * Mother Jones* Lou Gehrig * Franklin D. Roosevelt * Albert Einstein * Pearl S.Buck * Langston Hughes * John F. Kennedy * Martin Luther KingJr. These are the voices that shaped our history. They are powerful,moving, and, above all else, uniquely American.
  when was lou gehrig s speech: My Luke and I Eleanor Gehrig, Joseph Durso, 1977
  when was lou gehrig s speech: Before Tomorrowland Jeff Jensen, Jonathan Case, Brad Bird, Damon Lindelof, 2015-04-07 Based on the spellbinding world of the Walt Disney Studios film, Tomorrowland, this original prequel novel unlocks a place of unfathomable science and technology and the famous people behind it. The year is 1939. A secret society of extraordinary geniuses is about to share an incredible discovery with the world. A misguided enemy--half man, half machine--will stop at nothing to prevent the group from giving this forbidden knowledge to humanity. And a mother and son on vacation in New York City are handed a comic book infused with a secret code that will lead them straight into the crossfires of the conspiracy. Don't forget to download the FREE comic book companion, The Secret History of the World of Tomorrowland!​
  when was lou gehrig s speech: Christmas with Ed Sullivan Ed Sullivan, Betty Sullivan Precht, 2011-10-01 Contributors Include Bing Crosby, Jack Benny, Pearl Buck, Walter Cronkite, Clark Gable And Many Others.
  when was lou gehrig s speech: Augie's Quest Augie Nieto, T.R. Pearson, 2011-01-15 What happens to orphan diseases that aren't big enough profit centers for the pharmaceutical industry or get caught in the web of government funding and academic research? Augie Nieto found out in the spring of 2005: At forty-seven years old he was diagnosed with ALS. Devastated, Augie struggled with depression and attempted suicide. When he awoke from a coma, with friends and family surrounding him, his sense of faith and mission were renewed. Fast-forward one year: Augie and his wife, Lynne, were profiled as Real Heroes on the Today show. Their determination to beat the disease had already led to major overhauls in the way ALS research was conducted. In partnership with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Augie had set up a foundation and lab to coordinate and oversee ALS research and testing across the globe. By centralizing operations and championing an entrepreneurial approach to medical research, Augie and his team accomplished remarkable results in less than two years. Part inspiration, part business innovation, Augie's Quest illustrates how one person can make a meaningful difference. Praise for Augie Nieto: George H. W. Bush, former U.S. president: Your contributions to the fitness industry are well known, and your dedication an inspiration. Lance Armstrong, seven-time Le Tour de France champion: I think it says a lot about Augie, the fact that everybody came together regardless of whether or not it's for competing gyms or competing companies that make equipment. They all say, this is one of our own; this is a guy who's committed his life to our industry and has been dealt a serious blow. We're going to be there for him, we're going to say, we're here for you and we're part of the Quest. Arnold Schwarzenegger, governor of California: Your success has been incredible. But you are so much more than just a successful businessman. You are the greatest husband, a great father, and a terrific friend. So,
  when was lou gehrig s speech: Lucky to be a Yankee Joe DiMaggio, 1959
  when was lou gehrig s speech: Sultans of Swat , 2006-04-04 Traces the careers of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, and Mickey Mantle from a perspective of their love of the game and their significant contributions to Yankee history and tradition.
  when was lou gehrig s speech: Don't Buy Too Many Green Bananas Living with ALS Delores M. Warner, 2012-10-15 This memoir was from a journal the author kept regarding the progression of ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) as her husband fought this devastating disease. She and her husband were problem solvers, and as she cared for him at home, the two of them worked out ways to compensate for his declining strength. If you know someone who has been diagnosed with ALS, they and their families will find this book provides information on resources and approaches to dealing with the physical aspects, in the story as well as the back of the book for quick reference. As well, the author writes an unflinching account providing insights into coping with such diagnosis with grace.
  when was lou gehrig s speech: Pinstripe Empire Marty Appel, 2014-05-06 The definitive history of the world's greatest baseball team—with an all new afterword by the author.
  when was lou gehrig s speech: Yankees 1936–39, Baseball's Greatest Dynasty Stanley Cohen, 2018-04-10 The Story of the Greatest Yankees Team—and Baseball Team—of All Time New York, 1936. Red Ruffing, Lefty Gomez, Bill Dickey, Lou Gehrig, Tony Lazzeri, and rookie Joe DiMaggio—with these six future Hall of Fame players, the Yankees embarked on a four-year run that would go down in the history books as the greatest Yankees team, if not, the greatest baseball team of all time. Over the next four years, the Yankees won four straight pennants, finishing an average of nearly fifteen games ahead of the second-place team. They won their four World Series by an overall margin of 16-3, sweeping the last two, putting the punctuation mark on baseball’s first true dynasty. Even the Ruthian Yankees of the twenties never won more than two consecutive world championships. From 1936 to 1939, the world was changing rapidly. America was in the grip of the Great Depression. Franklin D. Roosevelt was re-elected president in the greatest landslide in American history. And Hitler’s Germany was on the move in the fall of 1939, just as the Yankee dynasty reached its climax. Against the backdrop of a world in turmoil, baseball, and America’s love for baseball, thrived. Starring the best team of all time, featuring little-known anecdotes of players and set against a history of the world, Yankees 1936–39, Baseball's Greatest Dynasty tells the tale of a legendary team that changed history.
  when was lou gehrig s speech: The Gettysburg Address Abraham Lincoln, 2009-08-27 The Address was delivered at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on the afternoon of Thursday, November 19, 1863, during the American Civil War, four and a half months after the Union armies defeated those of the Confederacy at the decisive Battle of Gettysburg. In just over two minutes, Lincoln invoked the principles of human equality espoused by the Declaration of Independence and redefined the Civil War as a struggle not merely for the Union, but as a new birth of freedom that would bring true equality to all of its citizens, and that would also create a unified nation in which states' rights were no longer dominant. Throughout history, some books have changed the world. They have transformed the way we see ourselves - and each other. They have inspired debate, dissent, war and revolution. They have enlightened, outraged, provoked and comforted. They have enriched lives - and destroyed them. Now Penguin brings you the works of the great thinkers, pioneers, radicals and visionaries whose ideas shook civilization and helped make us who we are.
  when was lou gehrig s speech: No Pressure, No Diamonds Teri A Dillion, 2020-10-19 In this intimate memoir on terminal illness, psychotherapist Teri A. Dillion asks if the most brilliant jewels of healing could be found in what we lovingly carve out of life's roughest blows.
  when was lou gehrig s speech: Until I Say Good-Bye Bret Witter, Susan Spencer-Wendel, 2013-03-14 THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER What would you do with one last year? Susan Spencer-Wendel was determined to laugh instead of cry. In June 2011, Susan Spencer-Wendel learned she had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) - Lou Gehrig's disease - an irreversible condition that systematically destroys the nerves that power the muscles. She was 44-years-old, with three young children, and she had only one year of health remaining. She decided to live that year with joy. She left her job as a journalist and spent time with her family. She built a meeting place for friends in her backyard. And she took seven trips with the seven most important people in her life. As her health declined, Susan journeyed to the Yukon, Hungary, the Bahamas, and Cyprus. She went to the beach with her sons and to Kleinfeld's bridal shop in New York City with her teenage daughter, Marina, for a glimpse of the wedding she would never attend. She also wrote this book. No longer able to walk or even lift her arms, she tapped it out letter by letter on her iPhone using only her right thumb, the last finger still working. And yet Until I Say Good-Bye is not angry or bitter. It is sad in parts - how could it not be? - but it is filled with Susan's optimism, joie de vivre and sens of humour. It is a book that, like Susan, will make everyone smile. From a hilarious family Christmas disaster to the decrepit monastery in eastern Cyprus where she rediscovered her heritage, Until I Say Good-Bye is Susan Spencer-Wendel's unforgettable gift to her loved ones and to us: a record of their final experiences together and a reminder that every day is better when it is lived with joy.
  when was lou gehrig s speech: Tales from the Bed Jenifer Estess, 2007-11-01 Jenifer Estess is a woman on the verge: She's about to launch her own company; she's looking buff and dating vigorously; she's driving in the fast lane -- with the top down. At the age of thirty-five, Jenifer dreams of falling in love and starting a family. Then she notices muscle twitches in her legs. Walking down a city block feels exhausting. At first, doctors write off Jenifer's symptoms to stress, but she is quickly diagnosed with ALS, a fatal brain disease that is absolutely untreatable. Max out your credit cards and see Paris, suggests one doctor. Instead of preparing to die, Jenifer gets busy. She dreams deeper, works harder, and loves endlessly. For Jenifer, being fatally ill is not about letting go. It's about holding on and reaching -- for family, friends, goals. Jenifer's girlhood pact with her sisters Valerie and Meredith -- nothing will ever break us apart -- guides them as Jenifer faces down one of the most devastating illnesses known to humankind. That same enduring pact inspires the creation of Project A.L.S., a movement started by the sisters that changes the way science and medicine approach research for ALS and the related diseases Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, and which has already raised more than $18 million. Will Project A.L.S. help scientists discover medicine in time for her? Jenifer answers these questions and others in this beautifully written and wholly inspiring memoir that celebrates a life fuelled by memory. Tales from the Bed forces us to reconsider society's notion of having it all, and illustrates, more than anything, the importance of endurance, hope, and, most of all, love.
  when was lou gehrig s speech: The Story of Baseball The Editors of Sports Illustrated, 2018-11-13 A New York Times Bestseller Through 100 Evocative, often stunning photographs, as well as the stories that accompany them, Sports Illustrated visits the great arc of baseball, America’s past time. From the dawn of the professional era, through the days of Babe Ruth, the westward expansion and the thrilling championships of today, baseball’s rich and remarkable history is here. Inspiring events such as Jackie Robinson’s breaking the color barrier, Lou Gehrig’s Luckiest Man speech and one-handed pitcher Jim Abbott’s 1993 no-hitter live in a continuum with stirring photos of the game’s most beloved and largest personalities such as Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle, Cal Ripken Jr., Bryce Harper and many more. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED’s unmatched storytelling is in high form in a book that renders exquisite anecdotes, and explores baseball’s cultural heritage and uniquely American character, all in unforgettable style.
  when was lou gehrig s speech: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Lou Gehrig's Disease , 1983
  when was lou gehrig s speech: Thinking the Twentieth Century Tony Judt, 2012-02-02 “An intellectual feast, learned, lucid, challenging and accessible.” —San Francisco Chronicle “Ideas crackle” in this triumphant final book of Tony Judt, taking readers on “a wild ride through the ideological currents and shoals of 20th century thought.” (Los Angeles Times) The final book of the brilliant historian and indomitable public critic Tony Judt, Thinking the Twentieth Century maps the issues and concerns of a turbulent age on to a life of intellectual conflict and engagement. The twentieth century comes to life as an age of ideas—a time when, for good and for ill, the thoughts of the few reigned over the lives of the many. Judt presents the triumphs and the failures of prominent intellectuals, adeptly explaining both their ideas and the risks of their political commitments. Spanning an era with unprecedented clarity and insight, Thinking the Twentieth Century is a tour-de-force, a classic engagement of modern thought by one of the century’s most incisive thinkers. The exceptional nature of this work is evident in its very structure—a series of intimate conversations between Judt and his friend and fellow historian Timothy Snyder, grounded in the texts of the time and focused by the intensity of their vision. Judt's astounding eloquence and range are here on display as never before. Traversing the complexities of modern life with ease, he and Snyder revive both thoughts and thinkers, guiding us through the debates that made our world. As forgotten ideas are revisited and fashionable trends scrutinized, the shape of a century emerges. Judt and Snyder draw us deep into their analysis, making us feel that we too are part of the conversation. We become aware of the obligations of the present to the past, and the force of historical perspective and moral considerations in the critique and reform of society, then and now. In restoring and indeed exemplifying the best of intellectual life in the twentieth century, Thinking the Twentieth Century opens pathways to a moral life for the twenty-first. This is a book about the past, but it is also an argument for the kind of future we should strive for: Thinking the Twentieth Century is about the life of the mind—and the mindful life. Judt's book, Ill Fares the Land, republished in 2021 featuring a new preface by bestselling author of Between the World and Me and The Water Dancer, Ta-Nehisi Coates.
  when was lou gehrig s speech: The New York Yankees Frank Graham, 1943 This is the story of the greatest organization in baseball. It begins with the purchase of the New York franchise in the American League in 1903, and through its pages moves the always colorful figures of the men who created and have maintained this ball club...--Back cover.
  when was lou gehrig s speech: Red Sox vs. Yankees Harvey Frommer, Frederic J. Frommer, 2014-04-07 The rivalry between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox involves not just the teams, but the cities, owners, ballparks, fans, and the media. Its roots reach back to before even Babe Ruth and Harry Frazee, yet it is as contemporary as the next Red Sox–Yankees game. This book tells the story of the rivalry from the first game these epic teams played against each other in 1901 through the 2013 season in what former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani called “the best rivalry in any sport.”
  when was lou gehrig s speech: They Played the Game Norman Lee Macht, 2019-04 Noted baseball historian Norman L. Macht brings together a wide‑ranging collection of baseball voices from the Deadball Era through the 1970s, including nine Hall of Famers, who take the reader onto the field, into the dugouts and clubhouses, and inside the minds of both players and managers. These engaging, wide-ranging oral histories bring surprising revelations--both highlights and lowlights--about their careers, as they revisit their personal mental scrapbooks of the days when they played the game. Not all of baseball's best stories are told by its biggest stars, especially when the stories are about those stars. Many of the storytellers you'll meet in They Played the Game are unknown to today's fans: the Red Sox's Charlie Wagner talks about what it was like to be Ted Williams's roommate in Williams's rookie year; the Dodgers' John Roseboro recounts his strategy when catching for Don Drysdale and Sandy Koufax; former Yankee Mark Koenig recalls batting ahead of Babe Ruth in the lineup, and sometimes staying out too late with him; John Francis Daley talks about batting against Walter Johnson; Carmen Hill describes pitching against Babe Ruth in the 1927 World Series.
  when was lou gehrig s speech: Lou Gehrig Alan D. Gaff, 2021-05-18 Lou Gehrig's memoir, originally published in newspaper columns, followed by a biographical essay by historian Alan D. Gaff.
  when was lou gehrig s speech: Standards-Based Comprehension Strategies and Skills Guide Christine Dugan, 2006-06-16 This series ensures that students learn necessary reading skills by offering a variety of texts combined with targeted lessons to practice and reinforce comprehension and fluency. The fiction and nonfiction passages prepare students for the type of reading found on most standardized tests.