To commemorate one of the greatest speeches in American sports history, the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center on the campus of Montclair State University is featuring a new exhibit, \u201cThe Luckiest Man,\u201d a tribute to baseball legend Lou Gehrig\u2019s iconic farewell 75 years ago.<\/p>\n
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Gehrig famously declared himself \u201cthe luckiest man on the face of the earth\u201d during his final speech at Yankee Stadium on July 4, 1939, before 61,808 fans. On that day, the 36-year-old Yankee captain spoke of his battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, now commonly known as Lou Gehrig\u2019s disease in North America. Nicknamed the \u201cIron Horse\u201d in recognition of his remarkable athletic abilities, Gehrig insisted that his disease would not rob him of all the good fortune, good friends and great love he had enjoyed throughout his short life.<\/p>\n
The exhibit, which runs through December 1, contains artifacts and rare photos of Gehrig\u2019s life and career in which he played a record 2,130 consecutive games and belted 493 home runs while compiling a batting average of .340. <\/p>\n
The exhibit also honors Pete Frates, a former Boston College baseball star, who is the inspiration for the social media viral phenomenon, \u201cIce Bucket Challenge,\u201d which has raised public awareness and more than $100 million for ALS research. Frates, now 29, considers himself blessed to have played the game he loved and to have the support of family and friends \u2013 like Lou Gehrig. <\/p>\n
For more information about \u201cThe Luckiest Man\u201d exhibit, visit yogiberramuseum.org<\/a>. <\/p>\n