I have been undergoing a rehabilitation therapy at a local center after an operation for a new knee. In the area where we were being taught on our crutches how properly to walk on our new knees, I observed several photographs hung on the wall. The first was in color and was a picture of a Michael Jordan, bare chested, with his arms fully extended to either side forming a truly impressive wingspan with a basketball held in one hand looking as tiny as though it were a ping-pong ball.
The second was in black and white. It was a baseball scene in which the batter had completed his swing and was following the ball into the bleachers for a home run. I thought it incongruous that such a photograph would be displayed in Germany where no one has the slightest acquaintance with baseball. I asked the therapist there if she knew who was in the photograph. She did not. I told her it was Lou Gehrig and that it was ironic that his photograph should be displayed in a rehabilitation clinic dedicated to the restoration of joints and muscles. I explained "Lou Gehrig's disease" to her and the iconic status and near reverence in which Lou Gehrig even to this day is held.
I asked several people at the clinic over time if they had any idea about the photograph and if they knew who Lou Gehrig was. None did.
Sheesh, Lou. Rub some dirt on it and play ball. Wuss.
Best of luck with the knee, NB. Oh, man. Watched one of my favorite left fielders lose an ACL in a collision over the weekend - full flip with a twist that would have scored high in a gymnastics competition. Hurt just watching it.
ALS - Lou Gehrig's Disease - we might possibly be seeing a serious breakthrough on it - News Here - haven't followed the story since last autumn but it sounds promising.