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Yankees commemorate Gehrig's speech

Lou Gehrig's Farewell Speech

Duration: 00:00:49

Yankees' Lou Gehrig gives an emotional farewell speech in between games of a doubleheader at Yankee Stadium

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By�Bryan Hoch�/�MLB.com

07/04/09 1:33 PM ET

NEW YORK -- Seventy years ago, a dying Lou Gehrig nervously toed the Yankee Stadium batter's box and spoke into a microphone at home plate, delivering one of the most powerful speeches in sports history.

The 277 words spoken that day still resonate strongly, inspiring with their class and underlying spirit of courage and strength.

The Yankees honored Gehrig's famed "Luckiest Man" speech on Saturday, as part of Major League Baseball's initiative to raise awareness and financial support for organizations leading the fight against ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), otherwise known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.

A red, white and blue floral wreath hung on Gehrig's monument in Monument Park, and prior to the club's contest against the Blue Jays, there was a special video presentation paying tribute to "The Iron Horse," including Yankees players reciting portions of Gehrig's speech.

The video opened with grainy footage of a 36-year-old Gehrig, knowing his ultimate fate as he walked to home plate at Yankee Stadium between games of a doubleheader against the Washington Senators.

Displayed on the large center-field screen, Gehrig began his iconic speech, with, "For the past two weeks you have been reading about a bad break."

After a transition, Derek Jeter continued, picking up from there with "Yet today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth."

Andy Pettitte, Mark Teixeira, Nick Swisher, Brian Cashman, Jorge Posada, Joe Girardi, CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Xavier Nady and Johnny Damon also recited lines from the speech, leading into Gehrig's conclusion: "So I close by saying that I might have been given a bad break, but I've got an awful lot to live for. Thank you."

Inside the Gate 4 entrance at the new Yankee Stadium, a large panel photograph is hung, depicting Gehrig standing at home plate delivering his speech. On adjacent speakers, an audio loop delivers Gehrig's voice on a continuous basis.

Even for a franchise so rich in history -- and dedicated to celebrating it -- Gehrig's momentous speech stands apart.

"When you play here for a long time, you remember that speech," Posada said. "It's a long, long speech. The words in that speech tell you a lot about how he was. When you play here for a while, you'd better know."

Before Saturday's game, the Yankees recognized Michael Goldsmith, who recently petitioned Commissioner Bud Selig to begin a 4♦ALS initiative to raise awareness and funds for ALS, with Goldsmith receiving a standing ovation from the crowd.

With assistance, Goldsmith rose from his wheelchair and walked to the mound, throwing the game's ceremonial first pitch to Teixeira -- doing so underhanded, because of the effects of ALS. Goldsmith also received a $25,000 donation on behalf of the Yankees Foundation, presented by Girardi.

Girardi is a student of Gehrig, having first become interested in his story after joining the Yankees in 1996, and wonders what it would have been like to be in Yankee Stadium that day in 1939.

"I'm quite sure it probably would have brought tears to my eyes," Girardi said. "To imagine what he meant to the franchise and the game of baseball, and to watch the way he handled himself. I believe he is an inspiration, the way he lived his life during his most difficult years."

All uniforms were affixed with a special 4♦ALS patch, and a special No. 4 base was placed at first base. Following the game, both first basemen in the game -- Teixeira for the Yankees, Lyle Overbay for the Blue Jays -- were to sign the commemorative base, to be auctioned off at a later date to raise funds for ALS research.

Girardi has been a consistent supporter of ALS research, as he has an uncle afflicted with the disease, which has yet to have a cure or a method to slow its progression in patients. He believes that the initiative should continue on an annual basis, much like Jackie Robinson Day is celebrated every April 15.

"I think it's a wise decision by Major League Baseball, just because of what he stood for," Girardi said. "We're always looking for positive role models, a way to go back. This is a way for people to have a better understanding of what it was like back then and connect baseball from then to now."

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.