The Playing Days of Lou Gehrig When it comes to baseball, there have been a few high caliber players who become American icons. Lou Gehrig became that icon of the era in which he thrived. While he spent much of his career in the shadow of Babe Ruth, eventually Lou Gehrig would emerge from Ruth’s shadow and represent the values of the 1930’s. In a world of uncertainty caused by the threat of war and a continuing economic depression, Lou Gehrig stood as a show of confidence until Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis put an abrupt end to his playing days. His rise from a modest upbringing coupled with his spirit would serve both as story and a testimony to what hard work and personal strength could accomplish. Through his career in baseball Gehrig …show more content…
The United States had sought a policy of isolationism since the 1920s, choosing to not entangle itself with alliances. However, the actions of Imperialist Japan and Hitler made Americans question the ability of America to turn a blind eye to international events. For the poverty-stricken boys living in crowded impoverished cities in the 1930s, Gehrig served as a testimony of what a man can accomplish through virtue of character. By 1933, America had been deeply entangled in economic depression and the threat of war hung in the balance. While the 1920s was a time of decadence, escapism, and consumption, uncertainty had spoiled the beginning of the 30s, the rest moved …show more content…
In the uncertain times of the 1930s Gehrig was one of the few sure things. You could count on him to show up, play like hell, go home, and do it again tomorrow. Gehrig represented will power, and was a testament to what hard work could accomplish. He was a beacon of hope for a chaotic America. On May 3, 1939, Gehrig sat the bench for the Yankees. He slowed down in an eight game slump, but there was obviously something else wrong with him as the people noticed his muscle strength fading away. On June 22, 1939, shortly after he was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, it was announced that he was retiring from baseball. However, although he was retiring he was far from being over. In 1940, Gehrig became the first ever baseball player to have his number retired. Lou Gehrig, the very definition of determination and strength, would soon be gone and everyone wanted him to know just how much he had meant to the