After further review… With the 2019 Major League Baseball playoffs in progress, I admit my life-long loyalty to the New York Yankees. Of course, being born and living in California I still like to see our five MLB teams do well. However, as a kid I would listen on the radio (yes, before television!) to the Yankees broadcasts each night as I went to bed. So, I must say “Go Yankees.”
My admiration for Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, Lou Gehrig, and that T*E*A*M still stands tall in my mind. Gehrig, the Yankee’s first baseman played 17 years – his entire career – for New York. Why would he want to play elsewhere? He was nicknamed “The Iron Horse” for this strength and durability. However, what separated Gehrig may be his retirement speech as death was approaching, due to ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) – now called “Lou Gehrig Disease.”
It was 1937, Gehrig was in Chicago where the Yankees were to play the White Sox. A friend asked Lou to pay a visit to a 10-year boy, named Tim, who was in the hospital stricken with polio. Tim was refusing to try therapy. Gehrig was Tim’s hero and Tim’s parents hoped a visit would encourage Tim to go to therapy. Gehrig made that visit and said to Tim, “I want you to get well. Go to therapy and learn to walk again.” Tim said, “Lou, if you will knock a homer for me today, I will go to therapy and learn to walk again.” Lou promised.
Although Gehrig had a career 493 home runs, this request came during the last two years of his career and home runs were not as easy to come by as they are in today’s game. The pressure was mounting as Gehrig rode to the ballpark, yet he felt a deep sense of obligation along with his apprehension. Well, Lou didn’t knock one home run that day. He knocked two!
A short two years later when ALS was taking the life out of the old iron horse the Yankees held a Lou Gehrig Day on July 4, 1939. Yankee Stadium was packed with every dignitary possible. As Lou stepped to the microphone, Tim, now 12, walked out of the Yankees dugout. Dropped his crutches, and with leg braces walked toward Lou at home plate and gave him a hug.
That’s what Gehrig meant when he said those immortal words. “Today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth.”
Will you step-up-to-the-plate to help a “Tim” who may need your help?
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
If you were unable to attend the book signing at River House Book Store recently ”Yet Another 101 Best of TunneySide of Sports” is available there for $20 or by sending a check to Jim Tunney Youth Foundation (501c3) P.O Box 1440 Pebble Beach, Ca. 93953 includes personalized autograph and free shipping.
This offer is available to the continental United States only.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
To contact Jim, go to JimTunney.com or email Jim@JimTunney.com. Jim’s books are full of inspiration and interesting stories. Please visit his online store to learn more. Be sure to get Jim’s book ‘Another 101 Best of TunneySide of Sports’ by clicking this link or using the email above to contact Jim directly. These TunneySides take issues from real-life situations and relate them as inspiration for the betterment of others. Jim is available for speaking engagements on leadership and T*E*A*M Building. His books are available for $20 which includes shipping and tax. The Tunney Bobblehead is available for $30. Please visit JimTunney.com. Thank you!
One Response to A Classic Baseball Story