Watch this short video of Lou Gehrig, and then read the speech in it's entirety Then a well developed essay, complete a rehtorical analysis of the essay paying close attention to the kairos.
What is the rhetorical situation? You may have to do a little research on this, but what is the kairos? And how do the surrounding circumstances contribute to the effectiveness of the speech?
While in our time the word rhetoric may suggest deception, this speech reminds us that rhetoric can serve sincerity as well. No wonder one commentator wrote, "Lou Gehrig's speech almost rocked Yankee Stadium off its feet."
Why is this an effective speech? First of all, rhetoric is always situational. It as an occasion-the time and the place the text was written or spoken. The occasion exists within a specific context-the circumstances, atmosphere, attitudes, and events surrounding the text. Purpose is the goal the speaker wants to achieve. In the case of Gehrig's speech, the occasion is Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day.
Your essay should also address the speech itself. Complete a close reading and point out some strategies that Gehrig employs that make this one of the most famous speeches of all time.
350 word minimum. Even though the speech is short, there is a lot to say about it.
The world-famous baseball player, Lou Gehrig, in his farewell speech goes on to describe how fortunate his life was up until the point where he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which is referred today as Lou Gehrig's disease. Gehrig's addresses in his speech that he can no longer continue playing on the New York Yankees' baseball team due to his degenerative disease. He imposes nostalgic tone remembering back to the beginning of his baseball career and all of the great men he once played with in order to have the audience mourn and view his perspective on his career.
ReplyDeleteGehrig begins his farewell speech by acknowledging his spectacular career and all of the great men he has met throughout this career. He appeals to the audience's sense of nostalgia by recounting how successful his career was and how truly lucky he was to have these experiences. He continues his speech while the audience is remembering his career and mourning that he can no longer continue it in order to unify the audience and give them a sense that they are too part of the New York Yankees' team. While he has his audience mourning him he begins to reveal to the audience what his personal life is like.
Gehrig now shifts from how fortunate his career was into what his personal life is like. He begins by saying that he has a "wonderful mother-in-law who takes sides with [Gehrig] in squabbles with her own daughter", "Father and a mother who work all their lives so you can have an education and build your body, it's a blessing", and most importantly "a wife who has been a tower of strength and shown more courage than you dreamed existed," all of which establish a reason to keep going and never give up because he has all of these people who are there to help him. This allows the audience to sympathize with him because of how awful society was at that time because they were just exiting The Great Depression and just regaining their reason to live, but they remained strong like Gehrig because of their support network. He completes his farewell speech with the line that left the biggest impact, "So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for," thus also giving the audience a sense of reasoning to also live and give their all.
This whole speech occurred when America was just being revived from the dead after The Great Depression had everyone on their knees begging for mercy because they couldn't get a break. The audience was revived through Gehrig's optimism even in the gloomiest days for him, but there were also other issues. Issues such as the uptick in viruses and a widespread sense of fear over the nation because of them. It was a period of time where there were no vaccines for polio, measles, or mumps, which made the whole nation fearful of these viruses. Gehrig knew this and he was even diagnosed with a degenerative disease, but he addressed ALS in a calm manner that left the nation unified and gave them a sense of relief because he was so calm in his approach to the situation.
Gehrig in this hectic period of American history still gave the nation a sense of union. He causes the audience to go on a roller-coaster of emotions, from the ups of his families to the downs of his career ending and him being diagnosed he kept a steady tone and stood strong. The nation stood strong along side him with them now no longer being as fearful towards these debilitating diseases and viruses.
You made really good points and had such a well thought out interpretation of his speech. Well done!
DeleteI enjoyed reading your blog, it is very well written. It’s clear that you out a lot of thought into it and some of your points made me think a different way.
DeleteWell done. The revival from the Great Depression was a fantastic point to make.
DeleteI love how you mentioned that his career was coming to an end towards the closing stages of the Great Depression and how everyone was "regaining their reason to live." The whole blog was well thought out and creative. Great job, Logan.
DeleteExcellent post! I love the historical analogy you made.
DeleteLou Gehrig, the “luckiest man on the face of the earth” begins his speech by describing how blessed his life is. He was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis on June 19, 1939, which was his 36th birthday. He thanks his fans for supporting and encouraging him for the seventeen years he has been playing his heart out on a baseball field. He continues to tell his baseball family and friends that because of his disease, he can no longer play for the New York Yankees. The rhetorical situation in this part of the speech is the exigence, or problem, which is in this case his disease. He tells the audience about his amazing experiences with Jacob Ruppert, Ed Barrow, Miller Huggins, and lastly Joe McCarthy. This part of the speech shows emotion and makes his speech one to remember for everyone.
ReplyDeleteLou continuously talks about his baseball experience and he begins at the beginning of it. While the atmosphere is generally upset about Gehrig’s disease, he talks about his family and his closest friends. He calls the Giants, “a team you would give your right arm to beat, and vice versa” and continues to talk abut his incredible life.
Following his thoughts concerning his career, he goes on to talk about his family and personal blessings. He says, “when you have a father and a mother who work all their lives so you can have an education and build your body – it’s a blessing.” And finally he claims, “When you have a wife who has been a tower of strength and shown more courage than you dreamed existed – that’s the finest I know.” This ultimately gives the audience, which is another form of rhetorical situation, chills and a shocking sense of love.
This speech is so unbelievably powerful because the rhetor uses such strong words. This gave all people a reason to live, it allowed people to understand that we have so much to be thankful for. By the end of the speech the attitudes of each and every human being has changed completely. His purpose and goal was to convince the audience that he is the most luckiest man alive and although life can appear hard sometimes, stay thankful and have hope.
During this hard time in the world, the people were beginning to live again, his speech gave them a reason to keep pushing through. Just as Lou Gehrig, we all have an awful lot to live for.
I really enjoyed reading your post! Good job!
DeleteI think that you hit all the main points including that there is always someone or something out there to live for, but I disagree that he was trying to convince the audience that he's the luckiest man alive. I think by him saying that he's the luckiest man alive he's trying to express his gratitude towards the people around him and his fans, but other than that point I enjoyed your post.
DeleteI enjoyed reading your blog, I really liked the last couple sentences you used.
DeleteI love your concluding sentence. Great job!
DeleteLou Gehrig’s speech at Yankee Stadium was extremely powerful and moving. His speech involves how him saying fortunate he was to live the life that he lived. Even when we was diagnosed with ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Due to this devastating disease, Gehrig could no longer play professional baseball with New York Yankees. In his speech, he explains to his fans that even though a great misfortune has been brought upon him, he still only talks about the positive things that his life has given to him.
ReplyDeleteLou Gehrig did not want his fans to mourn the fact that he would no longer being playing with his Yankee family, but rather celebrate the time he got to share with them. He wanted everyone to feel the joy he felt that was brought to him by many years of love and loyalty. Instead of talking about the misfortune he was given, he only talks about the luck and success he had. He talks about the opportunity he had to play with such amazing and talented athletes so that the audience will understand his sincerity.
To Gehrig, his personal life was just as important to him as his professional one. He recognizes the most important people in his life and explains why they are so significant to him. He talks about his mother-in-law and how fortunate he is to have her. He talks about when she takes his side when he has an argument with his wife, her daughter. His parents were one of his biggest blessings because of the sacrifices they made for him to be able to get a valuable education and to live the life he always wanted for himself. His wife was especially important to him. He described her as “a tower of strength and shown more courage than you dreamed existed - that’s the finest I know.” Him describing the important people in his life gives the audience the feeling of being on their own personal level with him.
Gehrig wants the fans at Yankee Stadium and everyone else who would hear or read his speech to focus on his positivity and confidence. He does not want them to pity him. He does not want their sympathy. He does not want to feel their sadness and sorrow. In fact, he wants them to acknowledge how lucky he has been and how big of a part the audience had in him being such a happy person.
I enjoyed reading your blog. I think your analysis is very well written. Nice job!
DeleteI loved reading your blog. This was very well thought out, good job!
DeleteI enjoyed reading your blog and agree with most of it, but the part where you say "he wants them to acknowledge how lucky he has been" because this would make him sound egotistical. Rather, I think you were trying to say he was trying to express to the audience how lucky he was to have them by his side and all of the amazing people in his life. Plus, in his final statement I believe he was trying to bring hope into the hearts of the stadium and the USA by saying that there is always something to live for.
DeleteI like how you brought up the idea that he did not want pity from the crowd,but instead he wanted them to focus on being positive and confident again towards the end of your blog. Great Job!
DeleteI really enjoyed reading this Carly! The last few sentences were great closing points to this!
DeleteIts easy to see why the speech by Lou Gehrig had such a positive impact on the people in the Yankee stadium. The purpose of this speech is to address the audience with the fact that Lou Gehrig has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis disease. The speech is meant to be a farwell and to pay tribute to his amazing baseball career.
ReplyDeleteLou Gehrig begins the speech by stating that he is lucky. He talks about all of the people he had the privilege to meet and work with. He then talks about his fans saying, “I have been in ballparks for seventeen years and have never received anything but kindness and encouragement from you fans.” As he is saying this, he is able to shift the mood in the stadium from somber and sad because of the loss of a great baseball player, to a more bittersweet atmosphere as he recalls the blessings of his life.
Gehrig then begins to describe his personal life. He talks about how his parents have been a blessing saying, “When you have a father and a mother who work all their lives so you can have an education and build your body – it’s a blessing.” He goes then continues to describe other blessings in his life such as those of his wife, mother-in-Law, and the groundskeepers who know his name.
This speech is one with excellent rhetorical strategy because of the effectiveness it has on its audience. Gehrig manages to convey to the audience how blessed we all really are and how much of an impact that really has when we really look at it. Something extra incredible about this speech is that even though it is a farwell speech, it quickly turns to something more inspiring and uplifting. It gives the audience a reason to persevere in their own endeavors and appreciate their lives as they being to look back on their own blessings.
Perhaps on of the most impactful lines of the whole speech is the last one, which says, “So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for.” Throughout the speech, Lou Gehrig keeps spiking the audience’s emotions. He does this especially with that last line. That last line is what brings such a mournful occasion to an uplifting declaration of blessing. That’s what makes this farewell speech so unlike others. Instead of talking about his sorrows with ALS, Gehrig decided to talk about his blessings.
The speech teaches all of us that we really do have a lot to live for and that we sometimes overlook it. With this speech Lou Gehrig ends his career with a huge impact that swept across the entire nation.
Well done Sophie. It was well written and thought out. I love how you mentioned that he talked about his blessings.
DeleteI like how you mention that it has a great impact on the Yankee stadium. This was well written, great job.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteLou Gerhig was one of the best baseball players to ever grace a field. He held a career .340 batting average in the 17 years he played, which is outstanding. This ultimately led to the number 4 being retired by the yankees never to be worn again. Lou Gerhig was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gerhigs disease which ultimately ended his baseball career, yet he still considered himself the luckiest man on earth.
Gerhig starts out his speech by saying how people may have heard of his bad luck, but yet he is still the luckiest man on earth. He talks not of the bad things, but all the blessings his life has given him. He reminisces on the good times, and talks about the all great people he has had the fortune to meet along the way, Ed Barrow, and Joe McCarthy. He had the privilege of playing with people like Babe Ruth, and Joe
Dimaggio. Toward the ends of the speech he talks about all the people who have really made an impact on his life. He talks about how hard his parents worked so he was able to learn, to build his body up. How his mother in law cared for him, and at times picked his side in arguments over her own daughter. Gerhig remembers all the people from the groundskeepers at then stadiums to those in the white coats and how they touched him in a positive way. Gerhig states that even though he may have had some bad luck, he still has a lot to live for. All this stuff he talked about, made him, “the luckiest man alive.”
This speech was a rhetorical strategy because it was supposed to be a sad time, the end of an era for one of the best baseball players who ever lived. Yet Gerhig focused on all the happy things and made it a happy speech, and one of the most famous speeches of all time. Through this Gerhig taught us one of the most important lessons of all time, life is what you make of it. He decided to not let ALS tear him down but use it at a lesson, and to share that with the entire world.
Nice post. I enjoyed your bringing up his baseball statistics.
DeleteLove reading yours Dan, loves the mentioning of stats and people that had an impact. Nice job
DeleteLou Gehrig is a world famous baseball player known for his infamous farewell speech. The reasoning behind why it was such an impactful delivery stems from multiple different origins. These span pathos, logos, and ethos to help create an absolutely beautiful speech that touched the heart of all who listened.
ReplyDeleteThe speech is set around Lou Gehrig's diagnosis with ALS. Because of this unfortunate event, a day was set aside for Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day. This was almost two months after Lou's final game on May 2, 1939. This puts the date on July 4th, 1939. Already, there is emotion in the air surrounding the event and the United States as a whole. Before the event even starts, viewers are emotional, knowing that Mr. Gehrig is going to be giving a speech that will break their hearts. Before he even steps up to the mic, he has everyone's attention.
Mr. Gehrig begins his speech by addressing the audience, his fans, acknowledging their apprehension of his news. However, he doesn't play the pity card. Rather, he says that because his fans are so concerned for him, he is the luckiest man on the face of the earth. Immediately, he simultaneously soothes his fans concerns and makes them mourn him even more. This proves to be very powerful and the theme carries throughout his speech.
Lou then proceeds to speak about all the "grand men" he's met throughout the years. He executes this perfectly by posing the question, "Which of you wouldn’t consider it the highlight of his career just to associate with them for even one day?". This question is followed by a series of rhetorical questions asking who wouldn't consider it an honor to be with said person for any amount of time. He also details just how much time he's spent with each person he brings up. This serves to show just how lucky he considers himself to have spent so much time with them, and it brings to light just how much time he is going to be denied by his fatal disease. This is an incredibly passionate portion of his speech, one that speaks to every reader and listener, making them take a step back and observe their own life and appreciate their people as much as Lou appreciates his.
Lou's final paragraph proceeding his closing discusses all the people who have helped him grow as an athlete and scholar. This part is also important because it emphasizes just how good of a person he was. This is seen in how he states his mother-in-law would take his side in "squabbles" with her daughter. He closes the paragraph by showing appreciation to his wife, his "tower of strength". This is very powerful and speaks to everyone, married or not.
Mr. Gehrig ends his speech with this: "So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for." This is the perfect summary of his speech. Gehrig's speech was, and still is, so powerful because it perfectly blends emotion and logic. Everybody knows how important it is to spend time with loved ones, but no one truly knows how much it means until they meet someone like Lou Gehrig. There is a reason this speech is etched into history as one of the greatest speeches of all time.
Love how in depth you got with the speech in it's entirety. Good job there bruce
DeleteThis was very well written. I liked how you really broken down the speech and pieced it all together. Overall it is very good and explains Lou’s speech very well.
DeleteI really enjoyed reading about your interpretation of the speech. I especially like how you mentioned the importantance of spending time with loved ones.
DeleteLou Gehrig is a famous baseball player, and also famous for the disease he had unfortunately, Gehrig had ALS, which is now referred to as Lou Gehrig disease. People around this area have this disease, including the Head Coach for Curwensville's Football Team, Mr. Ivanko. I've talked to him before and know how bad this disease can get, as Mr. Ivanko can no longer speak. It is something no one should ever have.
ReplyDeleteHis speech, set in a sold out Yankee Stadium. He starts his speech by addressing the audience. When he addresses them, he talk about how the have heard about the horrible disease he has. Yet, unusally, he calls himself the "luckiest man on the face of the Earth". A man with a fatal disease considers himself the luckiest man in the world. That shows his optimistic attitude about the situation, and is inspiring. Everyone should have this type of optimism in life.
He then begins to talk about people he has associtasss with, and uses that as his motive as why he is the luckiest man in the world. He is showing the comradare here, showing it's not just about him, but the people that have helped him through this rough time. He is being very unselfish in this time of where he has the excuse to be selfish. Once again, it's very inspiring to hear that.
Finally, he ends his speech by saying what he has is just a "bad break". I just can't get over how nonchalant, almost ignorant he is about his disease. If that was me, I would be aksing for help and be very worried about this disease, yet Lou is unphased by the diease. It shows that, when all the people reading about him are worried and sad about his situation, Lou is fine, and sees it as another chapter in his life.
The Kairos to me is very clear. The situation is very emotionally driven, as people are extremely sad and depressed about his situation, except Lou. He uses this time to reassure people that he's fine, but really isn't. He also shows that he has spent time with the greats, like Miller Huggins, and that he has lived a good life. This shows his logic, that he has had an awesome time and that he's ment amazing people, and that even his enemies are helping him. This shows why this is one of the best speeches of all time, because even though the people and Lou himself are emotionally driven, he uses his logic to show why we doesn't regret anything. That shows why it's one of the best speeches of all time, and everyone should know that speech.
Anthony, I highly disagree with what you said in your interpretation. Having a disease that you know you will die from is terrifying. Knowing that you are going to die from something you can’t help often makes the chronically ill look back through life and try to highlight the good parts. Having an incurable disease like ALS brings out a need to show the world that you still strength and still have hope. I do not believe that Lou Gehrig was “fine” with having ALS. I think it is more that he knows that he needs to live and persevere without the pity of self and others.
DeleteI agree with that he wasn't just "fine", but he obviously was dealing with it correctly. Me, if I had an incurable disease would most likely look at the good times also. Having chronic diseases are scary, and I can't imagine what it would be like to have on the was fatal, but I believe that there was a sense of understand that he had of his disease. He had optimism, but you have to think it also changed him. You also can't say out won't go into a depression for a little bit learning about a disease. Whether it be a couple hours, or a couple months. It depends on the person, and how they percieve their sickness.
DeleteLou Gehrig did not consider himself lucky for having this disease! He’s considered himself lucky to have these opportunities. Also, your first sentence of your second paragraph makes absolutely no sense. Third, this blog is supposed to be a rhetorical analysis, not a summary of his speech. I’d take more time to type your blogs.
DeleteLou Gehrig, a legendary New York Yankees first baseman, gave his farewell speech on July 4, 1939. He resigned when he was diagnosed with a rare disease known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS, now known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Lou Gehrig gave his “the luckiest man on the face of the earth” speech at Yankees Stadium in front of 61,000 of his fans. The day was solemn while Lou Gehrig was trying to up lift the spirits of his fans.
ReplyDeleteObviously, this day brought a whirlwind of emotions. The fans lost a great man who they looked up to in the baseball world. “Fans, for the past two weeks you have been reading about the bad break I got. Yet today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth.” In this passage Lou Gehrig is trying to change the depressing day into a thankful one. Lou Gehrig successfully made his speech into a speech that was not meant to pity him. Rather he made the speech to reflect on the good and beautiful parts of his life. Even though he is going through the hardest battle in his life, he still found himself as “the luckiest man on the face of the earth.”
The main point of Lou Gehrig’s speech was to thank all the influential people in his life. His speech follows an epideictic format by praising and thanking his audience. Much of the speech, then, concerns itself with praise. “I have been in ballparks for seventeen years and have never received anything but kindness and encouragement from you fans.” Without having all of these fans he would not be a household name. Next, Lou Gehrig thanked the “grand men” in his life. He thanked them for helping him into the world of baseball and becoming the great first basemen he was. Then, he got into thanking his family members. He thanked his mother-in-law, mother, father, and especially his wife. “When you have a wife who has been a tower of strength and shown more courage than you dreamed existed – that’s the finest I know.” In this part of his speech he expressed the human part of him, having so much love and thanks to his wife. His wife was someone who he leaned during this trying time that inevitably ended his life.
This speech was considered one of the most memorable speeches in sports history. This speech was important because Lou Gehrig was telling the world about having to resign from baseball. The speech was given from the point of view of an important baseball player to people who cared about baseball. Lou Gehrig was a man of credibility because he knew what he was talking about, he knew how much of an impact this would have on the sports world. “So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for.”
Lou Gehrig’s speech is both very personal and very emotional. It is a speech full of love and hope. Lou Gehrig may have only lived for another two years after his speech, but his memory ensures forever.
I thought your blog was very well-written. Nice job Grace!
DeleteLou Gehrig appreciation day may seem like a very random holiday to some, but it actually is quite significant. In the terms of literature, Gehrig’s speech was revolutionary. He used the rhetorical situation and kairos in his favor to make the speech impact his fans, and everyone who heard the speech, in such a tremendous way. The personal aspect of the lecture also helped his fans to better understand where he stood on his personal struggles. His speech impacted others in such ways he will never even know.
ReplyDeleteThe rhetorical situation that brought about Gehrig’s speech was the news of his “break” or the diagnoses of his disease. Many of his fans had been reading about this in the news for around two weeks, as he states within his message. This ties into kairos, or the timing of his speech, which was perfect because many people were left wondering how he was taking the news and what he would do with it. He continues speaking on his life experiences and career in baseball. He goes on saying in a more roundabout way that even though this disease is life-altering, he would continue living out his life positively. He states that he was an extremely lucky man because he got to be surrounded by the most impressive people in baseball and he got to live a normal life with his wife and family. This speech was so effective because of his personal experiences and his bravery in the face of evil.
Lou Gehrig uses pathos within his speech. He appeals to his fans emotions at Yankee Stadium by giving a more personal talk. He states that being given a gift by the New York Giants and even winning over his wife’s mother has been some of the greatest things. People can relate their emotions to this because they may have the same experiences within their own lives. They feel sorry for the man, but he feels as though he can’t feel that for himself. He knows he needs to continue on happily because the life he has lived has been so impressive. His speech has had such a large impact on everyone including his fans and even those studying language and composition just like me
I feel like you communicated your thoughts very well. However, I am having a hard time finding the ethos and logos in your analysis. From what I gather, we are supposed to find all three appeals. I would like to say that I do feel you did an excellent job bringing out the pathos and kairos within your blog. Either way, good job.
DeleteI like that you made a point of how he was brave in the face of evil. I also think this was very well written, good job Anna.
DeleteHenry Louis Gehrig, "The Iron Horse," played nearly 17 seasons at the New York Yankees first baseman, and throughout the duration of each season he has played, he has made a legacy and found himself a spot in the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. He is considered the "greatest first baseman to ever play the game" and played in 2,130 consecutive games. This was the longest streak of continuous play until Cal Ripken Jr. came along and began his streak of 2,632 straight games in May of 1982. Lou’s career came to an end in 1939 due to a disease known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.
ReplyDeleteLou begins his speech my considering himself the luckiest man on earth. Throughout his speech, he did not talk about what he could have done more effectively, what he wishes he would have done, or how it was unfair that his career was cut short because of a disease. Instead, he talked about how much he was blessed and the positive impact that all of his fans had on his life. This speech had almost everyone in the stands shocked and despondent. By the time the end of the speech came upon the crowd, the feeling in the stands turned from complete sadness to the thankfulness to this man for such a great career.
Lou continued on to talk about his family and how they were more important to him than anything. He talks about the sacrifices that his parents have made for him to grow up to be such a fine gentleman. He talks about how his wife is a “tower of strength.” He talks about his mother-in-law, his daughter, and the people who have affected him on a highly personal level. These are all of the people who helped him along his journey of life and who would continue to stay with him until the day of his death.
Lou Gehrig end his speech saying "So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for." This lets us all sit back and think. The quote allows us to think that sometimes, the things we love may come to a halt, but that shouldn’t make ourselves come to a halt as well. There is so much more to live for besides your passion for one particular thing. Lou’s passion was baseball. When his baseball career came to an end, he didn’t allow that to stop him from affecting other people until he passed away, and even longer. There is no doubt in my mind that this speech should be considered one of the greatest speeches of all time.
I enjoyed reading yours steve, I enjoyed how you mentioned how many consecutive games he played in, it shows he was dedicated to the sport.
DeleteGreat job Stephen, I really liked reading all of your points!
DeleteGreat job. I liked how you included some facts about Lou Gehrig. It allows for a better understanding of Lou and his influence on the people around him.
DeleteThis was very well-written, Stephen! I like how you mentioned the fact that Gehrig’s passion for baseball didn’t stop when he was diagnosed with ALS.
DeleteI enjoyed your blog, however, it was supposed to be a rhetorical analysis, not a summary.
DeleteLou Gehrig, perhaps one of the best, if not the absolute best baseball player America has ever seen lived his life with joy playing the game he loved for 17 years. Until one day in 1939, his life was changed forever. He was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) which would happen to end his baseball career forever.
ReplyDeleteGehrig, a phenomenal man, husband, son, and of course baseball player gave his farewell speech to some 62,000 people attending Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York on July 4, 1939. He considered himself the “luckiest man on the face of this Earth,” which could be considered true because of all the support and successes that had come out of him playing in the MLB for 17 years, and being one of the most successful players to ever step on to a baseball diamond. Sure, he was sad, discouraged, and probably very angry about his whole situation and having to quit playing probably the thing he loved the most, but he never got down on himself or wanted any fan of him, coach, teammate to think “why him?” In his speech, he never talked about how unfortunate this event was or how it had taken a major toll in a negative direction on him and his life. He only talked about how thankful and blessed he was for his life and everything and anything any person had done for him in the past. He also spoke about the opportunity’s he had been given to play with and against such amazing athletes, that he had become friends with. He specifically talks about the whole New York Giants team, joking about how one would have to give their right arm to beat them, enlightened the crowd with that statement.
His speech continues to talk about his family and those closest to him. He adds in about his mother-in-law, his parents , and his wife. He mentioned that having a mother in law who takes your side of her daughters in small arguments, having parents who support you in absolutely everything and work their butts off for you to have everything you need, and have a wife who shows more courage and strength than he has ever seen, may have been the greatest blessing in his life. This part of the speech, just reading it, brings out my emotional side, so I can’t even imagine what being there would have been like.
This speech was so unbelievably powerful in showing what he was thankful for, and shows the readers and those in attendance that there is a lot more to life than just a sport, or something that one may excel in. ALS has now been nicknamed Lou Gehrig’s disease, which I believe is such a great way to honor a man who showed pride, compassion, courage, and many many other things for people today to take after. I believe Gehrig still wants people to love and live with positivity and not to pity or get down on themselves or others, just because misfortune happens in their lives.
I like the part where you said there is a lot more to life than a sport because I feel as if that also captures the essence of Gehrig. You did a really good job!
DeleteThe way you wrapped everything up was very well done! I especially like how you mention that he doesn't want readers or fans to be sad, but to be positive because misfortune happens to everyone. Nice job, El!
DeleteLou Gehrig was a hero on and off of the baseball diamond. He had contracted amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS), better know as Lou Gehrig’s disease, had brought his baseball career to an end. He did not allow this disease to stand in his way, but instead used it to give America hope.
ReplyDeleteLou Gehrig contracted ALS and was forced to end his career. Before he would walk away from the game he delivered an incredible speech at his home stadium, Yankee Stadium. He starts his speech by telling the crowd not to feel sorry for him. He addressed some of the things that he has been able to accomplish through baseball. He does this by asking rhetorical questions. He ask the crowd, “who wouldn’t consider it and honor to have known Jacob Ruppert?” He also addresses many other famous people that has had the privilege of getting to know. He mentions that he would consider himself lucky even in the horrible situation he has found himself in. He had the opportunity to do so many things and does not want the crowd to feel sorry for himself, but he wants to thank them for everything that they have given him.
Lou Gehrig’s contraction of ALS could not have come at a more perfect time in history. He delivered the speech on July 4, 1939. The date does fall on Independence Day, but it has more significance then that. During this time in the year 1939 many countries facing big issues. Germany and the rise of Hitler’s dictatorship was causing many issues. The world was going crazy and trying to put blame on each other. Gehrig’s speech was given at the beginning of these times. The US had not fully engaged in WWII, but many Americans knew they would be. Lou Gehrig gave hope. He was fighting this terrible disease, but he was trying to stay positive about it. This is exactly what Americans need, the idea that they can remain positive in such hard times, and almost exactly two month later the US enter WWII. Someone would never wish ill upon another, but Lou Gehrig’s contraction of ALS came at a perfect time in American History.
Lou Gehrig was and still is and incredible role model for all people. He put others lives above his own and was extremely thankful for what they did for him. He took the terrible situation he was in and turned it into a positive on. He was a hero, that is the best way to put it.
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DeleteGreat job once again Jake I love how you started and ended your blog in the same way by calling Lou a hero. It brought everything together.
DeleteLou Gehrig changed the game of baseball forever. He started by being one of the most consistent players in history playing for the New York Yankees and for baseball for seventeen years. By being such a great player and person he was the first person in Major League Baseball history to have his number retired where he gave his short but powerful fair well speech. Before the ceremony, before Lou even made his speech, he had started to get very emotional and told them to tell the crowd thanks for coming and he was honored because he didn’t think he could say anything. The crowd had other ideas and started cheering for a speech. The screamed “We want Lou” on repeat. Reluctant at first Lou Gehrig was convinced to give his fair well speech.
ReplyDeleteGehrig says that many may think because of the bad news he received from being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) giving him three years to live has ruined his life but he assures us that he is “The luckiest man on the face of the earth”. He goes on by telling the crowd he lived his life the way he wants and goes on proving them that by showing all of the highlights of his life from playing with some of the best, winning a championship, and most of all receiving kindness from the fans day in and day out.
He also assure the crowd by telling them how he has had more than just a fan base of strangers but he has had many friends and family members be there for it all. He starts by saying the grounds keepers and other teams, the Giants for example, send him gifts and show they care. Then moves on to talk about how his parents have supported him through school all because they cared and wanted the best for him. The same went for his mother in-law and for his wife who had “shown more courage than you dreamed existed”. He was showing that small actions can mean the most.
Throughout this whole speech he demonstrated how much he felt loved, respected, and how much he loved others. Most of all he showed how baseball, but sports in general, are not just about winning and losing. Sports are not just about having fun and trying to be the best there ever was, but to find out who you really are and show your friends and family that you know all that they have done for you. Sports are about bring people together and making life the best it can be for as long as a person shall live. Lou has proved this in his final speech before he had passed away.
I really like how you mentioned background information on how he was feeling before he speech. It really honed in on my emotions while I was reading and opened my eyes about how he may have felt that day, as well.
DeleteI thought beginning your essay with a vague introduction of Gehrig gave a great insight to just how influential he was.
DeleteLou Gehrig, also remembered as “The Iron Horse”, was an American MLB player for the New York Yankees. In 1923, he agreed to sign with Yankees to play as their first baseman. He is remembered in one aspect of breaking the most consecutive games played in the MLB, which was 2,130 consecutive games. Aside from that, he is most remembered for delivering his “Luckiest Man” speech. After a certain period of time in the MLB, he began to feel weak and then decided to go see a doctor. The doctor later diagnosed him with ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. It is a disease within the nervous system that progressively weakens muscles and causes complications with physical function. This disease later led toward Lou Gehrig’s Appreciation Day.
ReplyDeleteLou Gehrig delivered his “Luckiest Man” speech on July 14th, 1939 at Yankee Stadium in front of 62,000 spectators. This occurred only 2 weeks after his diagnosis of ALS. He initiated his speech by stating, “I have been in ballparks for seventeen years...,” Gehrig provided the audience with background information into his life by mentioning past experiences from his career in the MLB. Secondly, Lou Gehrig revealed his tragic disease; as a result, generating a heavy-hearted mood throughout the stadium. The spectators felt compassionate toward Gehrig and his speech. He repeated himself several times within the speech, simply because he wanted to emphasize the fact that he was extremely lucky, despite having ALS. Also, Gehrig reiterated his advantageous career and having been able to meet various people along the way. Aside from meeting new people, he had the support from an important one throughout his entire career. He expressed his utmost appreciation for his wife by saying, “When you have a wife who has been a tower of strength and shown more courage than you dream existed—that’s the finest I know.” This message showed the audience that he was keeping a down-to-earth feel and positive tone in every part of his speech. Gehrig inspired the audience in a variety of ways and reassured them, so they did not feel the need to worry.
Overall, Lou Gehrig illustrates an extremely effective speech that supported his main goal. His portrayal of rhetoric strategies such as ethos, pathos, logos, metaphor, and kairos support his message of luck and blessings while suffering from a disease. The ethos used shows that of a regular guy and a good sport who shares the spectator’s love for the game and family. Just like average people, he too has dealt with good luck and bad breaks. The pathos mentioned in the speech contrasts the devastating disease and Gehrig’s display of strength. Lou Gehrig supports his luck by mentioning the generosity he received throughout his 17 years in the MLB and a list of the people that were closest to him; this captures the embodiment of logos. He used a metaphor to illustrate the perfect description of support that his wife provided for him during his years in the major leagues. The goal of Lou Gehrig’s Farewell Address is to whole-heartedly thank his support system—fans, teammates, and family. Also, he did not want people to feel sorry for him, but rather stay positive in order to downplay the illness. He concluded the speech by saying that he has “An awful lot to live for,” and he most certainly did.
I agree that Gehrig’s speech was so effective because of his use of rhetorical strategies. You explained all of those concepts very well.
DeleteYou did a really good job starting out the blog by giving a background description on Gehrig. This would be very easy to read even for someone who has never heard of Lou Gehrig. Awesome job!
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ReplyDeleteLou Gehrig was one of the most iconic baseball players in the 1930’s. When he had to deliver a speech on July 4th, 1939 the world stood still. He was battling ALS, a disease that weakens one’s muscles. This meant he would never be able to play baseball for the Yankees again. Even though this disease was ending a huge part of his life, he was finding positivity in the situation. When giving his speech, he said that he was one of the luckiest men alive. Most of us would find this to be strange. However, Gehrig was not one to get discouraged easily. He saw his luck coming from the fact that he had the opportunity to play baseball with Jacob Ruppert, Ed Barrow, Miller Huggins, and Joe McCarthy. By mentioning this in his speech he revealed true emotion. He did not talk only about himself, which made it personal for the other players as well. This showed his team not to mourn the fact that he could no longer play with them but to look back on the memories he was leaving behind.
ReplyDeleteNot only did Gehrig address his team in his speech but he mentioned his family as well. He talked about his mother-in-law, father, mother, and wife. He mentioned how they have stood by him and how they have blessed him. He then ends his speech by telling everyone he’s had a tough break but he has an awful lot to live for.
This speech is very important because when most people receive bad news they get mad and they definitely don’t look on the positive side. By being positive in the face of chaos, we can all gain a sense of hope. Hope for the future, for ourselves, and for others. Lou Gehrig may have given his speech seventy nine years ago but it still stands as inspiration for all of us today. Inspiration to look on the bright side of things. He is still showing everyone that life doesn’t have to be mournful, and that it is always a celebration. We may all get tough breaks, but we have an awful lot to live for.
I think you did a very good job elaborating on the kairos. Also, I am impressed by the fact that you also did some additional research on Lou Gehrig.
DeleteIt is so admirable that Gehrig was so positive during this hard time for him. You really analyzed his attitude well!
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ReplyDeleteThere are very few people that you will hear about in your lifetime, who truly put others before themselves. Lou Gehrig was one of these rare people. Shortly after Gehrig was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also know as ALS, he publicly resigned from his baseball career that was unfortunately cut short. He did this by reciting a final speech in Yankee Stadium on July 4, 1939.
Lou Gehrig’s speech was not a negative one, nor did he intend it to be. Although, it drastically impacted the audiences emotions. He was able to reach the audiences emotions by mentioning aspects of his personal life. However, his personal life is mentioned much less frequently than his appreciation for everyone who has impacted his life. In fact, he considerers himself lucky to have had the opportunity to work with these people. In addition,Gehrig did not want pity or sympathy to be associated with him. Instead, he sincerely wanted to graciously thank everyone for making his life a life that he felt was worth living.
Throughout his speech, Gehrig repeatedly uses the phrase “that’s something”. This is an effective method of speech that is used in many speeches even in modern times. By continuously choosing to use a phrase, such as this one, it establishes repetition and persistence throughout the speech. Gehrig doesn’t mention his unfortunate disease, only but one time. Instead he chooses to dwells on the fact that he lived a long, blessed life. He not only recognizes his family for this happiness, he also mentions the fans and other valuable people that he met who were associated with the MLB.
During this particular time globally, many significant events were occurring. The United States was celebrating Independence Day and World War II was taking place. Although the U.S. was not entirely participating in WWII yet, the war was still having a negative impact on the country as a whole. This set the scene for a hopeless and somewhat depressed audience. With all of these aspects in consideration, Gehrig’s speech gave many people a glimpse of hope, that was much needed at the time.
Well done! I like how you talked about how he used his personal life experiences to reach the audience. I think that too many people think that celebrities and famous figures do not have personal lives and by noting his past, he reaches the audience in a profound way.
DeleteThis was really well put together! When you mentioned how Lou gave the people a glimpse of hope during WWII, it really made me think of the crowds point of view while listening to his speech. It gave me another perspective to think about. Great work!
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ReplyDeleteAfter being diagnosed with ALS, a disease that would end his phenomenal baseball career and eventually his life, Lou Gehrig notably called himself “the luckiest man on the face of this earth.” He stood among his fans, coaches, and fellow baseball players to give his farewell on July 4, 1939 in a full Yankee Stadium. Gehrig used strong rhetoric to deliver a speech that is still remarkable 79 years later. He recognized the occasion, the atmosphere, the people around him, and the attitudes of them to create his memorable farewell.
ReplyDeleteThe famous baseball player addressed all baseball fans and praised them for their kindness and respect toward him for the past seventeen years. This established a connection immediately by making all fans of baseball recognize the impact they had as a group on his life. Gehrig shows his pride for the reputation he has, but not in extremity. He shows his love for those who have supported him by showing them that their support has not gone unnoticed. He speaks to them in his uniform in the setting they have seen him in for nearly two decades, giving him a familiar look.
Gehrig goes on to ask rhetorical questions to recognize his teammates and managers. He grants them respect by asking “ Which of you wouldn’t consider it the highlight of his career just to associate with them even for a day?” This convinces the audience that these men are undoubtedly remarkable. By saying so few words about them, he makes an unforgettable impression to the audience about them.
Before he closes, he recognizes all other people who made major and minor impacts on him during his entire life. He credits his family for giving him his start, and people all the way to the groundskeepers. He recognizes these people all in a few powerful words. Throughout the speech, he keeps a positive attitude as he accepts the situation he is in. He recognizes that baseball has been so much more than a game to him. The experiences he had because of baseball are the ones that truly impacted him and created a life that he is thankful for. He doesn’t talk about wins and losses, but he talks about the people and experiences that made his life remarkable.
Because of Lou Gehrig’s talent in baseball, he lived an extraordinary life that he believes he would not have had the opportunity to do otherwise. However, he does not credit the game, he credits the people who he saw and got to know along the way. He remains positive and shows thanks for all of the life-changing opportunities he was given. He offers sincere thanks to so many people in such few words. Despite his inevitable future, he is thankful for the unique life he was given the opportunity to lead
I enjoyed reading your blog. I thought it was well thought out. Nice job.
DeleteYour blog points out many views that I had not thought of. You mentioned that the people and experiences in his life were much more significant than wins and losses, and I could not agree more. Keep up the great writing!
DeleteLou Gehrig, iron horse, a world-famous baseball player, all the names to describe one very inspirational man that many Yankee fans and doctors remember today. Gehrig was diagnosed with a devastating disease called ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This rare disease made him retire his baseball career after playing 2,130 games as the first baseman for the New York Yankees. The disease is negative but, was he?
ReplyDeleteIt was May 2, 1939 when Lou Gehrig benched himself due to being incapable of playing his best. That day is the day he broke his game streak. It was July 4, 1939 when he spoke to thousands of people in the New York Yankee’s Stadium. Here is where he nearly swept the stadium off their feet. His speech was so powerful and memorable, no one can forget it.
The speech started off in an unexpected way. With silence in the stadium, he quickly mentions what he called the “bad break”. He actually never mentions what he was going through at the time. However, he quickly reflects on his time in the past. With no hesitation he took the negative atmosphere and changed it to an area full of positivity. Gehrig said “Yet today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth.” He mentions the fans he has met. The specific teams and players he has faced. He talks about the Yankees and how they are all truly amazing men. The one other time Lou Gehrig made the stadium emotional was at the end where he says, “So I close in saying I might have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for.” Lou Gehrig was a very positive person. In his last speech to his many fans he brings up his disease two times, the beginning and the end. This reminded me as a sandwich you have the two pieces of bread on top and on the bottom. Yet, you have all the yummy stuff in the middle. Lou Gehrig made sure his fans knew he appreciated everything in between the beginning and the end.
That last sentence leads me to what Lou Gehrig was trying to accomplish in that speech. I think he wanted to make sure his fans did not mourn on his career coming to an end, but yet, focus on all the happy moments in his career. Lou Gehrig connected with every one in the stadium at the time and left a mark on them in someway or another. In fact, each person there probably would have been able to tell you something different that was memorable to them. I believe he took the negative factor out of the day, put the positive factor in, and ended with everyone in amazement.
Everyone most likely knows someone who has survived a horrible illness, or has died from one. I look back at that person and just smile. Every time I saw them they were always in such an amazing mood. Smiling when they saw you, never complaining, and acting like they are living their best life yet. Unfortunately, while we saw that, they were most likely miserable. Yet, they learned to cherish every moment and stay positive. Life goes way to fast to constantly look at the negativity in your life. So like Father Ross said last Friday, cut the toxic relationships out of your life and start living a life of happiness.
I agree that Gehrig was a very positive person. He did not even falter when he was faced with his new found struggle of his disease.
DeleteSometimes the hardest thing to do is to admit the truth. Even though it is one of the toughest things to do, Lou Gehrig let lose the truth of his inevitable fate.
ReplyDeleteIn order to understand Lou Gehrig’s speech, one must first understand the context of the situation. On July 4, 1939, Lou gave a speech in front of 61,808 fans gathered within Yankee Stadium on America’s birthday. There was where he addressed the crowd of his “tough break” of being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis two weeks prior. After seventeen years of playing with the Yankees, the heartfelt farewell left the crowd in tears and on their feet.
Yankee fans knew Gehrig was not one to give up easily. For this reason, they nicknamed him the Iron Horse. When Lou, the Iron Horse, retired from the game of baseball after seventeen years of playing and 2,130 consecutive games played, the fans knew that the disease he was facing was going to be one of his greatest challenges yet.
Lou began his speech by first addressing the fans negative connotation related to the position he found himself in. He then called himself the “luckiest man on the face of this earth,” which contradicted the ideas of the crowd and stirred their emotions. Lou would then continually repeat the words “sure, I’m lucky” and “that’s something.” The repetition of these words brought heavy hearts upon the crowd who had only thought of this first baseman as just another unlucky soul.
In his farewell, Lou never specifically mentioned his disease or his retirement. He simply called it a “bad break” and “tough break.” When he spoke, he preferred to keep his focus on the good things that he experienced during his lifetime. This caused the crowd to know who Lou Gehrig was on a personal level. He spoke about the people in his professional life and his family life. When mentioning those who were associated with his baseball career, he talked about who they were before mentioning their name. When talking about family, he did just the opposite by mentioning who they were before the importance they were in his life. This structure showed the difference in his professional and personal life.
The last line of Lou’s speech is probably one of the most significant. He summed up his entire situation by mentioning his “tough break”, but he then lets the crowd know once more about how lucky he is by saying “I have an awful lot to live for.” This last line shocks the crowd through the meaning that can be found with such simple words.
Lou Gehrig’s speech is one to remember for all of the emotions involved that brought a crowd of thousands to their feet.
You really presented the speech with some points that I had not thought of personally. I liked how you talked about Lou Gehrig’s repetition of certain phrases and how he did not talk about the disease or retirement. Rather, he kept the speech to a more optimistic and grateful sort of tone, which left the people in awe.
DeleteIn the Baseball Hall of Fame, in Cooperstown New York, there is a plaque in the Hall of Lou Gehrig. The carving of his face shows a man whose skin is wrinkled and weathered with age, but his eyes are bright and his smile is merry. Clearly this man is not in the prime of his life, but his facial expressions show otherwise. This portrait is a perfect visual representation of the famous speech he gave Yankee Stadium. At that point in his life, Gehrig was diagnosed with ALS, a disease that later became his namesake. The road ahead looked grim for him, but he gave a beautiful speech filled with hope for the future. This resonated with so many Americans at that time that it became extremely famous. The speech contains many elements that made it memorable, including the context of the time period and how it related to Gehrig’s own life, the way that he showed his character, and the appeal to the audience.
ReplyDeleteGehrig gave his speech in 1939, a tumultuous time in history. The Great Depression was in full swing and Europe was on the brink of war. Many people were filled with anxiety about the future of their country and of their families. The public desperately needed someone to give them hope. Gehrig was the perfect metaphor for the events going on at that period and how one should deal with them. Gehrig was diagnosed with a terrible, debilitating disease, but he chose to acknowledge the wonderful things that he has been blessed with. This filled the people, sitting in Yankee stadium that day, with hope for the future, and reminded them that, no matter how terrible the circumstances may be, there is always things to be thankful for. That is partly why the speech resonated with so many people.
Gehrig’s character also played a part in making the speech so endearing. Most of his speech is acknowledging the people that have aided him on his journey. He thanks his family, particularly his parents, his wife, and his mother-in-law. This shows that he understands that he did not get where he is now alone, and will not have to go through this disease alone. Acknowledging shows the audience that Gehrig’s character is good and he truly cares for his family. This is also why this speech became so famous and endearing.
Gehrig also appeals to the audience, comprised of many die-hard Yankees fans. He proclaims that the audience has given him “nothing but kindness and encouragement”. He also showers praises on the Yankees players and organization, something that the audience heartily agrees with. The statement about the New York Giants, showed that Gehrig was still a committed Yankees fan and still feels passionately about their bitter rivalry. His appeal to the audience is clearly stated in his speech and won him praise.
Gehrig’s speech is one of the most famous moments in all of baseball history. The context of the time period, the character of Gehrig, and his appeal to the audience all made this speech a success. He showed that even when faced with a terrible future, one can still be thankful for what they had and look forward with hope.
I really appreciate the research you did on the time period and how you were able to connect it to your writing and the impact of his speech. I also really like how you point out that his family and others that he mentioned were in it with him and giving him the support he needed. They all helped him get to where he did and he acknowledged them accordingly. You were able to talk about all the parts without rambling, well done.
Delete"I might have had a tough break, but I had an awful lot to live for," Lou Gehrig proclaims as he pulls at the heart strings of all 62,000 fans in the Yankee Stadium on July 4, 1939. That day is known as Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day because it was the day that one of the most influential men in baseball history said his last words while standing on the dirt that has been beneath his feet since 1923 (the year he was signed to the Yankees) and was forced off of it due to a disease known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS.
ReplyDeleteThroughout his baseball career, Gehrig always stood in the shadows of The Babe, better known as Babe Ruth. Both being fantastic players and breaking headlines together in 1927, Babe seemed to always have one up on Gehrig. The two were a dynamic duo who set records and out-homered every baseball team in the MLB besides one. Unfortunately, the two stopped speaking to each other after Lou's mother stated her opinion about the way Ruth's daughter dressed.
However, on Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day, after the moving farewell speech given by the star himself, Babe Ruth laid his arm around Lou and whispered in his ear the first words amongst the two since 1934. This moment had such a major impact on the hearts of literally everyone in the stadium that day; there was not a dry eye in the stands.
In his speech, Mr. Gehrig mentions that he is lucky to have known and played with some of the most important baseball idols, but is blessed to have a family and a wife who has shown nothing but support from start to finish. He truly grabs the people witnessing his speech that day by acknowledging them and saying, "I have been in ballparks for seventeen years and have never received anything but kindness and encouragement from you fans." Throughout his speech, he connects with the audience by frequently saying "you" and "fans" rather than saying "I" and "me." This form of syntax shows the true, humble character of Lou Gehrig.
Furthermore, Lou also mentions throughout his speech a form of cause and effect. For example, because of his extraordinary experiences playing in the big leagues, he has "an awful lot to live for," despite his hardships. Also, it is because of the constant compassion given by his fans, teammates, and family that he is so thankful for the opportunity and never once mentions how upset he is.
Lastly, an image of the Yankee stadium filled with sobbing fans watching a legend speak his farewell is created in the reader's head. This was a moment in history that will be remembered forever.
I thought it was really interesting how you added the relationship of the two baseball greats, Ruth and Gehrig. You did a really good job!
DeleteOne of the most important things, if not the most important thing to do in life is to live life to the fullest. Also, it is important that if you want something you must go get it. Baseball star and New York Yankee great Lou Gehrig was someone who prided himself on these two aspects. He loved each and every day like it was his last. This would prove to be very beneficial due to the fact that by the end of his career he wasn’t sure if we would ever see another tomorrow. Gehrig would end up being diagnosed with a deadly disease known as ALS which would lead to the end of his career. He obviously struggled with the fact that he couldn’t play his favorite sport ever again. However, Gehrig was for the people. He didn’t let his emotions get the best of him. He gathered up the courage to deliver a bone-chilling, breathtaking speech to a sold out crowd in the famous Yankee Stadium. He used his pathos by using the crowds emotions to get their attentions. He could of done the stereotypical “you should all feel bad for me” type of speech, but instead he stood proud and thanked everyone for making him the luckiest man on earth. That takes courage. Someone who is battling a disease that he knows he won’t survive has the courage to call himself lucky. He also took the time to thank everyone that stuck by his side and cheered him on for seventeen successful seasons. As a big sports fan I understand just how impactful this moment was on the sports community. However, for people who aren’t into sports history, Gehrig would be the equivalent to someone like LeBron James in today’s world. This moment in history will absolutely go down as one of the greatest, and Gehrig will never be forgotten. Another term for this disease is now “Lou Gehrig’s Disease.” So now it is factual that his name will never be lost in time. Gehrig closed his famous speech by saying, “So I close with this, I may have had a tough break, but I have a whole lot to live for.” This really hits home to me because it makes me realize that life isn’t always fair or easy, but if you just gut it out something good will come out of it. Also, even if that tough break is never-ending, there is still plenty of things in life that make it worth living. I close by mentioning again, always live life to the fullest!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your blog, Bryce. You really showed your knowledge for everything that lead up to Gehrig’s final speech and it was inspiring to read. I especially liked how you mentioned that fact that he considered himself lucky, even while having the disease that he struggled with. It was truly eye opening.
DeleteFor seventeen years, Lou Gehrig was able to play the game he loved. Just because the game he loved ended for him in such an unfortunate way, does not mean his happiness in life ended, or that his reason to live was gone. He goes on to explain through his farewell speech why that is. Lou Gehrig uses the use of rhetoric, kairos, and other aspects to show how he feels and thinks in these final moments of his career.
ReplyDeleteIn the beginning “meat” of Lou Gehrig’s speech, he asks a lot of rhetorical questions such as, “Who wouldn’t consider it an honor to have known Jacob Ruppert? Also, the builder of baseball’s greatest empire, Ed Barrow?” These questions are not seeking a response, but rather, they are helping to continue in making a point. He is showing his appreciation for all the wonderful people he has met and learned from through his opportunity to play baseball at this high of a level.
Next, Lou Gehrig begins to talk about the blessings in his private life such as his family. He takes the focus off of baseball and puts a bigger picture into frame. He mentions his mother-in-law, parents, and wife. This can appeal to pathos, as it stirs up feelings about families of people within the audience at the stadium, as well as anyone else who has heard or read his speech.
Lastly, when looking at Lou Gehrig’s speech, the kairos of the situation must be looked at. Most of the people in the crowd at the stadium had probably only known about his disease for a little while before his last appearance on the field. The information that he had a bad break due to his amyotrophic lateral sclerosis was in the public for about two weeks prior to his final game. When hearing news like that, most people in the crowd probably felt sorry for him and thought it was all over for the baseball player. The last sentence of his speech is the icing on the cake that really makes this such a phenomenal speech. He says, “So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for.” The audience probably though his speech would be a somber and a sort of difficult type of goodbye. Rather, he turned it into a hopeful and optimistic opportunity.
Lou Gehrig’s speech was very effective and touched the hearts of many. He uses rhetoric and allows the people to view how he saw the situation. I am sure that his response was a little different than what the people were assuming he would say, however that is what made it such an eye opening experience for its listeners.
You did a very good job connecting the parts of his speech in with your writing. You were able to get through the major points of his speech while keeping it orderly but thorough. I really like your mentioning that he spoke of a bigger picture of family and not just about his time in baseball, very nice.
DeleteThis speech is a very big and emotional moment for everyone who was there and even everyone who still reads about it today. He speaks to his time in the league and how it was an honor to be there, even if bad thingd were to come his way. He related that even in an unlucky time, he was still a very lucky man.
ReplyDeleteThis whole speech is based on the emotions that everyone has. The sadness of the onlookers, the tragedy of circumstance, and the hopefulness for life. The emotion is the backbone of the rhetoric. He uses relations to speak to everyone, he mentions family, peers, and mentors. They all look out for eachother in both the good and the bad times.
The situation that he was in, in front of the crowd, was a tough moment. The tension in the air as he told his farewell, people needed baseball to forget the hardships of the wars and that there were still reasons to be alive. Baseball was a getaway from life, a place to root for ones' favorite team. It was a growing industry that everyone wanted to invest in.
He also talked using his knowledge of people. He showed that he was lucky by using rhetorical questions about how anyone would think it an honor to know he people he's known, to work them with, and to have been their friend. He's not asking if anyone thought different, he's telling that that is how it is. He washer luckiest man in the world to himself, and therefore, to everyone else.
His speech, while short, connects an idea to a point, and a point to people all across the nation. The emotion of hope that he was able to have and to give to all the people there, was more than just hope, it was a reason and an execution of the upsides of life. He didn't just leave this world without a trace, he left leaving hope for everyone that there is still positives in the wake of badness. He was able to be strong in the time of this speech, certainly a very tough time, because he knew that his life was good. He left more than just hope, he left the idea of perseverance. And that is forever.
Lou Gehrig was a famous New York Yankee baseball player. He was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) on June 19, 1939, which was his 36th birthday. On July 4th of the same year, he delivered one of the most famous baseball speeches. He played with the crowds’ emotions with this moving speech.
ReplyDeleteLou Gehrig asked the crowd rhetorical questions. These questions made the audience really think about the situation and Lou Gehrig’s future. Rhetorical questions are a great tool of rhetoric to persuade a crowd into believing an opinion. I believe that Lou Gehrig purposely used rhetorical questions to involve the crowd in his speech.
The pathos presented through the speech was sorrowful yet uplifting. Lou first made the crowd feel grateful that he was able to play for seventeen seasons. The atmosphere was dreary, yet Lou Gehrig wanted to lift people’s hearts regardless of the dark situation. He really did not want people to feel bad for him, instead he wanted them to realize how much fun it was to watch him for seventeen years play his favorite sport. Lou Gehrig used pathos to lighten the mood in the midst of a sorrowful time.
Lou Gehrig presented his speech because he wanted to inform New York Yankees fans about his current state and his future. During this time period, Lou Gehrig was an evergrowing famous baseball player. Also, ALS was and still is an extremely rare disease that was not known. Since Lou had the disease, it was necessary for him to inform the general public on his diagnosis and how he would not be able to play. Baseball was the primary sport during the early 1990s, so it was a huge loss when Lou Gehrig had to retire.
Lou Gehrig’s speech wil forever be remembered as the “luckiest man alive” speech since he made the best out of this serious moment. He cherished the time he had on this earth, especially the seventeen seasons of baseball. He convinced the crowd to be cheerful instead of sad by using rhetorical strategies. He wanted to be remembered for his times playing baseball than the player who got diagnosed with a rare disease.
Your analysis was very well written Gabe. I enjoyed the exterior details about the speech and on Lou’s disease.
DeleteLou Gehrig delivered his famous speech at Yankee Stadium on the 4th of July following his diagnosis of ALS, which is also referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease. This baseball great needed only 274 words to create a surge of emotions and thoughts. Lou used many rhetorical strategies to move his point to the spectators and inform them of his current situation.
ReplyDeleteFirst, is Lou’s use of rhetorical questions to conjure certain thoughts of the onlookers. Gehrig uses certain baseball icons such as Jacob Rupert and Ed Barrow in his questions to institute his appreciation of his career and who he has met during this career. These questions aren’t meant to be answered, but they are meant to establish authority. Lou’s combination of ethos and rhetorical questions lead to an effective opening to his speech which drew the listeners in.
Gehrig first made it known how thankful he was for every opportunity the Yankees have given him. He used pathos to connect with the spectators through their dreariness of his condition. Gehrig uses these strong emotions to convey how nothing should be taken for granted. Gehrig states, “When everybody down to the groundskeepers and those boys in white coats remember you with trophies – that’s something.“ He is reminding everybody how special the little things are and uses the example of groundskeepers, who would normally be considered insignificant, to make a point.
The set and setting of Lou Gehrig’s iconic speech further increased the efficiency of his farewell deliverance. The Fourth of July is an important date to all Americans. This day symbolizes independence and the freedom of our nation. Lou is giving more and more reasons to be thankful and not look over anything. Lastly, the speech was delivered in the historically rich Yankees Stadium at home plate. The great Lou Gehrig, or as he called himself the luckiest man alive, used these factors to deepen the emotions felt.
The Yankee legend used many rhetorical stratagems in his speech on that special day in 1939. Lou greatly moved emotions through his thoughtful implementation of pathos into his rhetorical questions. The kairos, or timing, used in his speech gave a greater dynamic to the points Gehrig was intending to make known. Lou Gehrig’s use of rhetoric positively gave a great sendoff to the baseball legend and instilled peace of mind and inspiration to his fans.