One in a Million: The Ron LeFlore Story

This film was shown as part of Black History Month and I'm thankful to see it again after 40 years. Levar Burton is a fine actor but looks nothing like LeFlore, a much larger, more muscular man (look at the picture of Burton with actual Detroit Tigers). LeFlore was an ex-prisoner, hardened, tough and built like a middleweight fighter - much as I l

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.

Levar Burton is a genius, and here is a great early work of his. A great baseball story, shot by the cinematographer of "Bladerunner." Finding it on video will be hard (unless you're near Scarecrow Video in Seattle), but you may catch it on TNT/TBS - every once in a while they show it.

The story of Ron LeFlore's rise from inner city small time crook to major league baseball player is wonderfully portrayed. LeVar Burton shows the same character immersion he displayed in other 70's films like 'Dummy' and of course, 'Roots'.

Larry B Scott (LaMarr from Revenge of the Nerds) plays LeFlore's younger brother, Gerald. Madge Sinclair and Paul Benjamin play Leflore's embattled parents.

The film allows it's location to play a major role, from Detroit's inner city to being on the field in Tiger Stadium, It's an excellent use of backdrop to speak for itself.

I can't say enough about the action sequences, once again allowing it's involvement to speak for itself. The sights and sounds of the game are allowed to play out without much distracting dialogue. There are moments you feel you're watching an actual game.

This film is a true 70's classic. Someone mentioned TigerTown in their reviews. Both have elements of atmospheric quality. The major difference is the tone. TigerTown is very Disney. The Ron LeFlore Story is very dramatic. Just a great film!

LeVar Burton stars in this TV movie about the real-life LeFlore. LeFlore was a real-life convict doing hard time when he played baseball for the first time in prison....and was picked up by the Detroit Tigers.

It could have been a rather sappy if-he-can-do-it-so-can-you sort of affair, but cast, crew and CBS went with a more daunting approach, from the intimidating title, to the resistance he faces from fans, to his brother dying from an overdose. Several baseball people, like Billy Martin and Al Kaline play themselves.

The real Leflore is still around. His actual baseball career lasted eight years, from 1974-1982. He played for the Tigers, the Montreal Expos, and the Chicago White Sox. His numbers were respectable, but not superstar quality, although he was very good at -- really! -- stealing bases.