Rhetorical Analysis Of Lou Gehrig's Farewell Speech

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In order to demonstrate his gratitude, Lou Gehrig uses a humble tone with a strong appeal towards logos.
Over the course of Gehrig’s career in professional baseball he made quite a name for himself, he gained a reputation as a dependable player who could produce big numbers for his team. He played over two thousand consecutive games in fact to be precise two thousand one hundred and thirty. While maintaining this streak he also suffered many injuries such as a broken thumb, broken toe, and back spasms. Gehrig was almost a superhuman sports figure at this time, which seemed like nothing could bring him down whether it was injuries or other problems. He was seen as a hero and a respectable person whom people admire. One could even say if he was still alive today he would be like a way better version of
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Gehrig became very weak and sick, he was diagnosed with ALS; now know to use as the “Lou Gehrig Disease”. After receiving this disturbing information Gehrig, deliver his “Farewell Speech to Baseball”, on July 4, 1939. In this speech, he addressed his many friends he made during his career. He also addressed many fans and an appeal to logos was when he asks them, “Which of you wouldn’t consider it the highlight of his career just to associate with them for even one day?” to show how grateful he was to have met these men. Showing that he had not taken for granite how lucky he was to have played baseball while also showing the audience that he is a thankful person making him more appealing and likeable, a very down to earth person who does not forget his fortunate he is. The way in which he spoke gives his audience the investment that he can handle anything on or off the field. I would say it was his persona itself, which made his speech so appealing. Addressing the one thing that he would not be able to overcome and was preventing him from continuing to play his beloved sports something they can all relate

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