Lou Gehrig's Farewell Speech
A Moving Tribute to a Baseball Legend
The Luckiest Man on Earth
On July 4, 1939, Lou Gehrig delivered one of the most iconic speeches in the history of sports. As he stood in front of a crowd of 61,808 fans at Yankee Stadium, the legendary first baseman announced his retirement from baseball at the age of 36 due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Gehrig's speech was a poignant reflection on his career and his gratitude for the support of his fans. He began by acknowledging the "bad break" that had forced him to retire. However, he quickly shifted the focus to his gratitude for all the good things in his life.
"Today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the Earth," Gehrig said. "I have been in a ball park for the last 23 years. I have never received anything but kindness and encouragement from you fans."
Gehrig went on to thank his teammates, his manager, and his family. He also expressed his hope that the fans would continue to support the Yankees and that they would remember him fondly.
Gehrig's speech was met with thunderous applause. It was a fitting tribute to a man who had given so much to the game of baseball and to his fans.
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