The Playing Days of Lou Gehrig
When it comes to baseball, there have been a few high caliber players who become American icons. Lou Gehrig became that icon of the era in which he thrived. While he spent much of his career in the shadow of Babe Ruth, eventually Lou Gehrig would emerge from Ruth’s shadow and represent the values of the 1930’s. In a world of uncertainty caused by the threat of war and a continuing economic depression, Lou Gehrig stood as a show of confidence until Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis put an abrupt end to his playing days. His rise from a modest upbringing coupled with his spirit would serve both as story and a testimony to what hard work and personal strength could accomplish. Through his career in baseball Gehrig
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The United States had sought a policy of isolationism since the 1920s, choosing to not entangle itself with alliances. However, the actions of Imperialist Japan and Hitler made Americans question the ability of America to turn a blind eye to international events. For the poverty-stricken boys living in crowded impoverished cities in the 1930s, Gehrig served as a testimony of what a man can accomplish through virtue of character. By 1933, America had been deeply entangled in economic depression and the threat of war hung in the balance. While the 1920s was a time of decadence, escapism, and consumption, uncertainty had spoiled the beginning of the 30s, the rest moved …show more content…
In the uncertain times of the 1930s Gehrig was one of the few sure things. You could count on him to show up, play like hell, go home, and do it again tomorrow. Gehrig represented will power, and was a testament to what hard work could accomplish. He was a beacon of hope for a chaotic America. On May 3, 1939, Gehrig sat the bench for the Yankees. He slowed down in an eight game slump, but there was obviously something else wrong with him as the people noticed his muscle strength fading away. On June 22, 1939, shortly after he was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, it was announced that he was retiring from baseball. However, although he was retiring he was far from being over. In 1940, Gehrig became the first ever baseball player to have his number retired. Lou Gehrig, the very definition of determination and strength, would soon be gone and everyone wanted him to know just how much he had meant to the
Instead he told his story about being lucky. Be great fun for knowing so many great people and players. Thankful he got to suit up so many times to play he game of baseball. When reading about Gehrig before reading his speech, I found out that he retired because of a disease that was crippling and is now named after him. That is why in his farewell speech he did not want pity, which in my opinion shows great character.
On Saturday, April 15 every major league player shall wear a special, retired number which nobody wears anymore. It is 42 in tribute to the late Jackie Robinson who became the first black player in the big leagues on the same date 70 years ago. Robinson is celebrated as the breaker of the color barrier, one of the best baseball players of his generation, fittingly a legendary figure, and a gentleman. He was an innovator, and the name Branch Rickey the devoutly Christian and highly successful executive who signed him to a contract and nurtured his early playing career is seemingly etched in history along with Robinson.
Lou Gehrig Lou Gehrig was one of the biggest and best athletes in the 1930’s. He also was one of the most influential people of his time. He played baseball for the New York Yankees and during that time he earned the name Iron Horse for the consecutive games he played in his career. His career was cut short by ALS which is now named after him since he was one of the first very famous person to ever to contracted the disease. He is often referred to as one of the best baseball players of all time for his countless achievements and the legacy he left.
He had the baseball number “42” that has now been retired from the MLB, honoring Jackie. It took Jackie a quiet bit of time to get what he wanted, but he continued his hard work and dedication. Before the whites and blacks were united together, there were leagues for the blacks, called the “negro” leagues. Jackie began his
JACKIE ROBINSON 3 Jackie Robinson: A Baseball Player Like No Other Jackie Robinson lived during a time full of hate and discrimination, but he changed American history on and off of the field by breaking the Major League Baseball color barrier and fighting alongside Martin Luther King Jr. for civil rights. Jack Roosevelt Robinson, commonly called Jackie, made his name well known before his days in Major League Baseball (MLB). Robinson was born in Cairo, Georgia during the year 1919. Jackie Robinson was first introduced into the spotlight while playing multiple sports at Pasadena Junior College and the University of California, Los Angeles.
Lou Gehrig’s Farewell to Baseball Address Saying goodbye to an athlete you have been watching is always difficult to do. Even though we see our favorite football, baseball, or basketball athletes retire and leave their sport, it isn’t the end of the road for them. However, Lou Gehrig was faced with a deadly disease that would kill him two years later. He still managed to address his fans and is still remembered for not only by excelling on the Baseball Diamond, but by delivering a speech that still touches a lot of people’s hearts to this day.
Logan Matson Mrs. Hitchcock Language Arts 2 February 2023 Jackie Robinson and his Life Who was Jackie Robinson, what was he known for, and why was he important? These are the questions you may ask about Jackie Robinson. To begin, Jackie Robinson was an African American who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was known for breaking the color barrier in baseball. He was important because he stood for equal rights but that's not all the reasons why he was important.
Lou Gehrig, a name commonly placed with the disease ALS, however, Lou Gehrig was more than just a face for a disease. He was a phenomenal baseball player, a true American hero, a son, a husband and an idol to many. Many say that if one looks up the word “ballplayer” in the dictionary there is an image of Lou Gehrig sitting there as the definition. Lou Gehrig was born June 19, 1903 in New York City, the son of German immigrants, Christina Flack and Heinrich Gehrig. His parents had four children and Lou was the only one that survived past infancy.
“Farewell to Baseball” Gehrig’s Heartfelt Speech In life there are two ways to look at things, it can be seen as having a glass half full or a glass half empty. Lou Gehrig, a world famous baseball player diagnosed with ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, decided to take an optimistic approach on July 4, 1939. With his heart melting speech of how there is life after being diagnosed with a chronic illness and an ending career in major league baseball. He expresses his gratitude immensely, specifically for his family.
Robinson's arrival in the major leagues in 1947 changed the game of baseball and helped to pave the way for greater equality and civil rights. Robinson's impact on American society was felt far beyond the baseball diamond, and his legacy continues to inspire people to this day. Robinson's story is a reminder of the power of perseverance and the importance of fighting for what is right. Branch Rickey was a pioneering figure in the world of baseball, best known for his role in breaking down the color barrier that had long kept African American players out of the major leagues.
The amount of money associated with baseball has changed drastically, but the game has not. Babe Ruth’s lifestyle changed incredibly when he signed his deal with the Yankees and allowed him to do whatever he wanted to do financially, which was different because he grew up very poor. Although Ruth was a star on the field, off the field he was known for being a completely different person. He stayed out late missing curfews and enjoyed drinking.
The 1920’s were a very exciting and well remembered time era for the changes the way sports are played today. During this time period watching as well as playing sports became much more popular as a method of relaxation or a way to spend some free time having fun, just as it is today. Babe Ruth’s outstanding skill and dedication changed the game of ball since people of all races and colors would watch his games, and was a huge role model to many young kids, giving them a dream to someday become a great player just like him. Babe Ruth’s record setting performances brought a whole new social life to people in the 20’s.
Jackie Robinson The First African-American Baseball Player First black baseball player, selfless, and courage are three attributes that describe Jackie Robinson. Many people know that Jackie Robinson was a baseball player, but he was so much more. As a well known baseball player, Jackie Robinson showed pro sports that it is all right to have a black person play. He broke the professional baseball color barrier.
The following week Ruth retired He was one of the first five players inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1936. and by then it was clear: There had never been a player like Babe Ruth. Many children and teenagers see babe ruth as a great idol.
What Gehrig was arguing for in this speech was that hope was amidst the darkest of times, and he succeeded in doing this as his speech recognized to this day and age. Essentially, his speech comes down to recognizing what is truly important in one’s life. Gehrig felt that he was lucky to find the most important things in his life, and the final statement of his speech that summarizes his look on life: “…I might have been given a bad break, but I’ve got an awful lot to live