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Historical Analysis Final Paper: Lou Gehrig’s “Farewell to Baseball” Communication Arts 370

Lou Gehrig’s “Farewell to Baseball” speech is one of the most iconic speeches in sports history and possibly world history. As a certain baseball hall-of-famer and role model, Gehrig was able to express gratitude, exemplify courage, and remain optimistic despite suffering from the incurable neuromuscular illness Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), causing him to retire at the peak of his career and die just 17 days shy of his 38th birthday. Gehrig’s speech was not only extremely inspiring in the moment, but also had a long-lasting impact among sports fans and those suffering from ALS and other illnesses. In terms of the rhetorical situation, understanding the context, the audience, the exigence, the constraints, and the fitting response is extremely important. The rhetorical situation of Lou Gehrig’s “Farewell to Baseball” speech allowed him to exemplify how he felt “lucky,” despite the hardships he was faced with, in an exceedingly significant, persuasive, and representative way. With the growing tension in Europe and the imminent onset of World War II, Lou Gehrig’s “Farewell to Baseball” speech came at a time when the nation was in dire need of promise and faith during a seemingly desperate and hopeless time for countless Americans. Gehrig’s speech was delivered on a day honoring him, “Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day”, on July 4, 1939 at Yankee Stadium, less than a month after his ALS diagnosis on June 19, 1939. It is important to note that there was not much information on ALS at that time, since it was very rare and relatively unknown. Therefore, there were very few people who were even aware of his condition, and disabilities, in general, were widely stigmatized (Olney, 2002). It is now understood that ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that has an effect on the nerve cells within the spinal cord and the brain, causing people to lose their ability to control and

initiate muscular movement (ALS Association, 2014). So back then, it would have been even more shocking to comprehend how a world-class athlete could have contracted this disease. As the Yankees first baseman for 17 seasons, leading the Yankees to six World Series titles, Gehrig was greatly respected by everyone. As a matter of fact, Gehrig had been nicknamed the “Iron Horse” for his durability, having participated in 2,130 consecutive games, even playing many games through his illness. Being a standout star on one of the most successful and memorable teams in baseball history, Gehrig removing himself from the lineup was a difficult, and shocking, decision. However, his struggle to participate efficiently left him with no other choice (Olney, 2002). Gehrig discusses this exigence within the first line of his speech. Although he initially only addresses his fans, he goes on to acknowledge his family, friends, teammates, and those whom he had been grateful to have known. Although Gehrig may have not realized this in the moment, the nation as a whole and those for generations to come, are also included within his audience due to the considerably everlasting impact his speech was able to generate. He starts off by saying “Fans, for the past two weeks you’ve been reading about a bad break I got” (Gehrig, 1939). Therefore, the constraints, or expectations, of his audience may have been that he would discuss this “bad break” in more detail, possibly hoping for sympathy. However, he quickly puts a positive spin on his speech and how he was actually lucky, demonstrating who he was and what he was appreciative for. Instead of feeling sorry for himself, Gehrig took the opportunity to depict why he was grateful and was just hoping to bring a smile to everyone’s faces. He had already built a successful career and had developed a successful support system. With that, he could not see a reason to not feel blessed. He expresses gratitude for all the kindness and encouragement he had been surrounded by, while also incorporating

some light humor into his speech by saying “When the New York Giants, a team you would give your right arm to beat, and vice versa, send you a gift - that’s something” and “When you have a wonderful mother-in-law who takes sides with you in squabbles against her own daughter - that’s something” (Gehrig, 1939). Gehrig is not only attempting to bring a positive light to the situation but is also highlighting everyone who has been there for him and his appreciation for that. Gehrig’s response was definitely fitting and was certainly effective in achieving its persuasive goal. As Julia Penelope, an author and a philosopher, once said, “Language is power, in ways more literal than most people think. When we speak, we exercise the power of language to transform reality” (Fragale, 2006). Although the persuasive aspects of Gehrig’s speech may not at first be immediately clear cut, these elements are utilized through his use of language and emotional appeal. Gehrig’s optimistic language was able to shift the reality of his situation. The way he brushes over the exigence of the circumstance, and repetitively discusses the positive opportunities he had been given, was extremely powerful, effectively changing the cannon of rhetoric. He was going through an especially difficult time, yet the speech was centered around his happiness and appreciation of others. His speech style was not only able to affect other peoples’ perspectives, but also affect his own status (Fragale, 2006). He hoped people would remember him in a positive light, not for his illness, but for his strength and character. Gehrig was able to be further idolized and respected from how the audience perceived his personality traits and emotional expressions. Although Gehrig could have used this opportunity to complain about what he was going through and garner pity from his listeners, he felt blessed and did not want sympathy. He had no intention of furthering any worry or sadness among the American people. In fact, he hoped to do the opposite by encouraging people to stay strong in tough times and to appreciate the value of what life has

to offer. As a role model, Gehrig had desired that people would behave and think similarly to him when faced with adversity. Therefore, when others were placed in similar positions, he hoped that they would take that time to be grateful for the positive aspects of their lives, instead of concentrating on the negative ones. It is seemingly effortless to get caught up in negative moments, but in order to overcome challenging obstacles, it is important to stay positive. My grandfather Ben, a semi-professional baseball player and long-time baseball coach, was one of the many people inspired and influenced by Lou Gehrig. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2005 and battled the disease for 7 years before passing away. Like Gehrig, my grandfather, even in his most struggling times, would feel “lucky” and blessed for his family, oftentimes being more concerned with others than himself. Because of reasons like this, Lou Gehrig’s speech is not only extremely powerful, but he undoubtedly left an impactful legacy. Beyond influencing how those feel in challenging circumstances, Gehrig also unknowingly made a long-lasting impact on what would become known as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease.” As mentioned previously, there was not much information on ALS back in 1939, since it was very rare and relatively unknown, and disabilities were widely stigmatized. Today, there is an ALS Association raising money and awareness to find a treatment and ultimately a cure for a disease affecting thousands of people. As of 2014, the ALS Association was funding 98 active projects with a total reward value of $18.1 million, with not only significant advances in research and changes within the pharmaceutical and drug development industries, but also providing hope for the people, and their families and friends, affected by this dreaded disease. As the first face of ALS, Lou Gehrig and his legacy lives on and he is deservedly greatly honored (ALS Association, 2014). The association celebrates the 75th anniversary of his farewell speech, which to this day, inspires so many people and gives hope to anyone facing challenging circumstances. This not

only continues to display the significance and representation of his speech, but also demonstrates how Lou Gehrig’s simple words, “I might have been given a bad break, but I’ve got an awful lot to live for” (Gehrig, 1939), were able to positively affect so many lives. Without Lou Gehrig’s influence, and the immense respect he had gained from his “Farewell to Baseball” speech, there might not have been the same motivation, in terms of the progressive research and awareness of illnesses, especially ALS. Likewise, people, like my grandfather, may not have been as optimistic in how they dealt with difficult situations, without the inspiration Gehrig had provided. Because he was also extremely honored, and respected, Gehrig likely could have assisted in the lessening of the stigmatization surrounding diseases. It is evident that people were not attributing negative qualities to Gehrig just because he was suffering from an illness. In fact, he was even able to warrant more praise, allowing that same perception to be imitated for the many others who were suffering from disabilities or illnesses. In conclusion, although Lou Gehrig was suffering from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), he was able to remain optimistic and truly exemplified that in his “Farewell to Baseball” speech, making it one of the most iconic and inspirational speeches in history. As a legendary role model, Gehrig was able to express gratitude in an unprecedented courageous and powerful way, allowing himself and his speech to have a long-lasting impact among sports fans, those suffering from ALS and other illnesses, and all others facing other types of dire circumstances. Gehrig’s use of language and the rhetorical situation was extremely significant, persuasive, and representative, as his legacy was able to change perceptions and touch so many people. With that, Lou Gehrig’s memorable words, “Today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the Earth” (Gehrig, 1939), were able to withstand the test of time and positively impact so many lives back then, today, and well into the future.

References (May 4, 2014 Sunday). ALS Association Celebrating Lou Gehrig's Legacy and 75th Anniversary of His Famous Farewell Speech. Manufacturing Close-Up. https://advance-lexiscom.ezproxy.library.wisc.edu/api/document?collection=news&id=rn:contentItem:5C481XT1-F06S-P0PJ-00000-00&context=1516831. Fragale, A. (2006, March 06). The power of powerless speech: The effects of speech style and task interdependence on status conferral. Retrieved October 18, 2020, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0749597806000070 Gehrig, L. (1939, July 4). Farewell to Baseball. Retrieved October 17, 2020, from file:///Users/user/Downloads/Hehrig%20_Farewell%20to%20Baseball_.pdf Olney, B. (2002, Mar 31). Pride of the Yankees: As the 1939 team was playing the best baseball ever (maybe), Lou Gehrig was dying. New York Times Book Review, , 11-7.11. Retrieved from https://ezproxy.library.wisc.edu/login?url=https://www-proquestcom.ezproxy.library.wisc.edu/docview/217279067?accountid=465...