One in a Million: The Ron LeFlore Story

Although Ron LeFlore was never a mega-star, he had a very respectable major league record (especially when it came to stealing bases) , and he was able to do something truly amazing. Growing up, he was a punk...there's no other way to say it. He used and sold drugs and stole...and rightfully ended up in prison. But he managed to do something amazing. While he never played organized ball, in prison he took up baseball and was such a natural talent he was offered a tryout with the Detroit Tigers...and actually ended up making it in the majors. It's truly inspiring...and the only sad part about this is that he was nearing 30 when he turned his life around and entered pro ball.

This film is a dramatization of LeFlore's life--particularly showing his progression from punk to hardened inmate to a man who could be respected. Things were changed here and there in order to make things more like a TV movie (which it was) and LeVar Burton was WAY too small for the part (being 5" shorter than LeFlore) and, because is was made in 1978, it never talks about his self-destructive behaviors in the following years. But the bottom line is that it IS still an inspiring tale and Burton was fine in this interesting role. And, it was nice to see various Detroit Tiger greats in the film...such as Billy Martin, Al Kaline and Norm Cash.

By the way, I had a chance to talk briefly to Mr. Burton about this film....and he seemed a bit surprised that anyone remembered this TV movie. Well, he shouldn't have been surprised...it was an exceptional and inspiring film and there's no way I could forget it...and am glad I re-watched it today.