Quote of the Week: A Tribute to Gehrig
This week's quote is a bit different than most -- a bit longer but it definitely puts life into perspective....
On July 4th, 70 years ago, Lou Gehrig gave his farewell speech. This Saturday during the 7th inning of 15 major league baseball games, his speech will once again be read from the diamond. Today, when the integrity of many baseball records are questionable, it's refreshing to remember a man who played 2,130 straight games with an untainted reputation.
So here is the text of the speech Gehrig made at home plate in Yankee Stadium.
"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. I have been in ballparks for seventeen years and have never received anything but kindness and encouragement from you fans.
"Look at these grand men. Which of you wouldn't consider it the highlight of his career just to associate with them for even one day? Sure, I'm lucky. Who wouldn't consider it an honor to have known Jacob Ruppert? Also, the builder of baseball's greatest empire, Ed Barrow? To have spent six years with that wonderful little fellow, Miller Huggins? Then to have spent the next nine years with that outstanding leader, that smart student of psychology, the best manager in baseball today, Joe McCarthy? Sure, I'm lucky.
"When the New York Giants, a team you would give your right arm to beat, and vice versa, sends you a gift - that's something. When everybody down to the groundskeepers and those boys in white coats remember you with trophies - that's something. When you have a wonderful mother-in-law who takes sides with you in squabbles with her own daughter - that's something. 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. 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.
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."
I think the quote pretty much speaks for itself so the only thing I'll add to it is a link to the ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) foundation's website. They are having a "Step Up to the Plate" fundraiser where you can pledge a donation for each hit your favorite baseball team makes on July 4th. To find out more about ALS or there fundraiser click here.
By all means, make this a great week!
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