Happy birthday, Ron LeFlore

June 16, 2010

Ron LeFlore turns 62 today.

The speedy Tiger presented an interesting story of getting that “one in a million” chance while in prison to try out for the Detroit team, which he turned into a book with Jim Hawkins with One in a Million: The Ron LeFlore Story. The two collaborated on Breakout: From Prison to the Big Leagues, but the timing seems odd, since the two titles were released so close together (Warner, Oct. 1978 and Harper, Feb. 1978, respectively). I’m not sure if these are, in fact, the same book.

LeFlore’s story was turned into a minor TV picture, starring LeVar (Kunta Kinte/ Geordi La Forge) Burton as the ballplayer in one of the most uninspiring performances since Tony Perkins portrayed Jim Piersall in Fear Strikes Out. Added treat: Billy Martin (ha!) plays himself as the Tigers’ manager.

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