A Rhetorical Analysis Of Lou Gherig's Farewell Speech

Lou Gherig delivers a speech at Yankee Stadium on July 4th, 1939, commemorating his career and announcing his retirement due to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Gherig’s purpose is to convey his gratitude for the support he received during his career, despite his diagnosis of a debilitating illness, by proclaiming ‘himself the luckiest man on the face of the earth’, emphasizing his optimistic perspective on life within adversity and highlighting the significance of family and friends over material success. He effectively builds his argument by using the persuasive appeal of the ethos and an optimistic tone.

Gherig’s first component is the persuasive appeal of the ethos and its purpose in the speech. For example, "For the past two weeks you have been reading about the bad break I got." "This quote is a strong example of ethos because it recognizes that people know about Gehrig’s illness while also calling it a “bad break.” This line establishes his integrity and reveals that he can deal with problems head-on. This quote from Lou Gehrig's famous farewell speech supports his purpose and plays an
Gehrig's second component is the use of an optimistic tone, and its purpose in the speech is to transmit resilience in the face of this illness in spite of being forced to retire from baseball. "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 the earth." This quote is a strong example of the component because, in the face of a difficult illness, Gherig turns to emphasize the positive aspects of his life, underscoring his gratitude for the support from family, friends, and fans rather than fixating on his struggle. This quote supports Gehrig’s purpose by demonstrating a powerful contrast between perceived misfortune and immense