I used to go see the expos when I was young with my brother. I knew we had a good team, but now that I think about it, my good, we had so many big stars. I remember LeFlore and Tim Raines for stoling bases.
My dad's first cousin. Lavar Burton played his character in a minie movie. The same one who played Konte Kinte. 💯 He was very quick as we all are/ were. My dad also made it to the NBA for one year.
I've always wanted to see the movie about his life. He was played by LaVar Burton. I also heard in recent years Ron still has legal issues too. I've always loved this story, good job on the video.
Ron Leflore accomplished something that many wished and many are wishing they could do. This is an amazing story. Someone with zero baseball experience goes to prison, serves his time. Then off to the minors for 1 year. Then off to the major leagues.. Then makes it to the All Star Game, and leads off with a single. He played amazingly when he was traded to the Expos. I think he became a much better outfielder when he went form center to left. I'll never forget going to Tiger Stadium at Michigan and Trumbell to watch him play he was was my favorite player. Those were some good times gone but not forgotten.
I started baseball in a youth Juvy league in the Pittsburgh area. We played teams like Greensburg Central Cathloc, Hempfeild, Fox Chapel and West Mifflin. Winning to inconsistent degrees of success.
As a tigers fan the 70s were a curious time, even though I’m only 24 my dad grew up with this team and I’m a student of the history of the great sport. we had Leflour who was an ex con who was really good, and Mark Fidrych who I always swore was on something but if his arm didn’t give out he’d probably be a centerpieces the 84 team, and though we sucked we signed the best manager in tigers history imho Sparky Anderson we also had the greatest draft class in history, Gibby, Tram, Sweet Lou, and Jack Morris
You guys should really talk about the amazing career of Hank Greenberg. Greenberg had a very similar story to Jackie Robinson, at the time Hank Greenberg joined the MLB he was the first Jewish athlete to wear a Major League Uniform. Similarly to Jackie Robinson, Greenberg faced anti-Semitic hostility (because he was Jewish) from fans and players. But he proved his haters wrong. And like Leflore and that other Tigers player you talked about, Greenberg player for the Tigers as well.
He does have an amazing career, but I don't think he was the first Jewish Ball player in the major....There were some before him, not many but there were some, as far back as the 19th century....
I was 12 yrs old here in Detroit during his first yr in MLB & he was electric. I remember Billy Martin taking shit for bringing him in. But that ended quickly. He could play ball. Fast as hell, had a good swing & could a good CF. He was a real shot in the arm for a horrible time for the Tigers.
@@TBClarkJr20 indeed he was. I heard the guards there were impressed by distance he would hit homers during inmates/guard games. That is the word about him spread.
He actually became manager of The newburgh nighthawks which was a minor league affilate of the cardinals at the time. He brought his Team in to play us in a ny prison in softball .Good guy . I have a few flickes with hin
Good video. Very good video. I had never heard of Ron Laflore. Despite being a victim of the war on drugs and thus incarcerated at a young age he was able to use that time to devolop an elite skill. Kudos to those scouts and GMs and managers who recognized his talent and gave him a shot at redemption despite his criminal history. There are not enough people like that in this country and this greatly contributes to the high recidivism and revolving door criminal justice apparatus in this country. If our jails and prisons focused on developing useful skills and our probation system focused on job placement things could be different. Obviously very few prisoners have the untapped skills for professional sports but plenty do have hidden unrealized talents for many things and there are potential lawyers, salespeople, authors, computer programmers, plumbers, dentists, undertakers, rocket scientists, painters etc etc etc. If we worked on building self esteem while foster employable skills and job training I believe recidivism would plummet and the streets would become safer and the workforce stronger.
Btw- I dont know the details of Ron's criminal history but its implied in the video that it had to do with drugs. This of course would make sense since most incarcerations are drug related. Think of how many other Ron Leflores never got to realize their dream because our country locked them away for a personal non-violent choice. Some kid destined to break the single season homerun record is caught with a joint at 16 and that sets a course in motion that keeps him in an out of jail his entire adult life ruining any chance at pursuing his dreams and utilizing his god given talent
Who knew the convict would be good at stealing? But fr this man tried to do the best with the cards he was dealt and you have to respect how he tried to turn his life around
For context.......Ron Leflore ended his baseball career with a .288 batting average.........Better than any active Detroit Tiger currently on the team. Our highest Batting Average on the team currently is Riley Greene at .260. And Riley was a 5th overall draft pick, and considered to be our best hitter on the team.......Ron Leflores story is amazing and really does make you think of, "What if".
if he got guidance and never went to prison then he likely would never make it to the majors since that was the obstacle that sparked him into making it to the majors. had he got guidance he would probably end up a sales manager for a lumber yard.
Hi Mike
Well hello there
SRS Mike mike I’m a big fan
Hi Sadman
@@staciemohler4624 Hi Stacie!
The year that he spent in Montreal must've been interesting for the fans...cheering for Lafleur in NHL and LeFlore in MLB.
That is an incredibly astute observation!
I used to go see the expos when I was young with my brother. I knew we had a good team, but now that I think about it, my good, we had so many big stars. I remember LeFlore and Tim Raines for stoling bases.
My dad's first cousin. Lavar Burton played his character in a minie movie. The same one who played Konte Kinte. 💯 He was very quick as we all are/ were. My dad also made it to the NBA for one year.
I expected to see the Wild Thing Rick Vaughn here. Hmph
California Penal League
My first thought also! "How'd you end up there?"
"I stole a car"
I loved this story growing up in the 70s80s. Glad someone covered it.
imagine how good he could have been if he played before entering the prison system? Awesome story
Incredible life story, can’t believe I’d never heard of him before.
Bruv, he is a flipping legend in my books.
Ron Lefore.......one in a million
I've always wanted to see the movie about his life. He was played by LaVar Burton. I also heard in recent years Ron still has legal issues too. I've always loved this story, good job on the video.
Billy Martin was exactly the guy who would have given someone another chance.
Actually, Jimmy Butsicaris was.
Can baseball come back like right now?....
68 days 😭
Agreed
I wish
The gif of Omar with the tie is glorious. Thank you.
Ron Leflore accomplished something that many wished and many are wishing they could do. This is an amazing story. Someone with zero baseball experience goes to prison, serves his time. Then off to the minors for 1 year. Then off to the major leagues.. Then makes it to the All Star Game, and leads off with a single. He played amazingly when he was traded to the Expos. I think he became a much better outfielder when he went form center to left. I'll never forget going to Tiger Stadium at Michigan and Trumbell to watch him play he was was my favorite player. Those were some good times gone but not forgotten.
1:38 The bar owner you refer to was named Jimmy Butsicaris
This just epitomizes the 70s as a decade. Great vid!
I had heard of him being in prison and making it to the majors. Didnt realize he was productive
I started baseball in a youth Juvy league in the Pittsburgh area. We played teams like Greensburg Central Cathloc, Hempfeild, Fox Chapel and West Mifflin. Winning to inconsistent degrees of success.
As a tigers fan the 70s were a curious time, even though I’m only 24 my dad grew up with this team and I’m a student of the history of the great sport. we had Leflour who was an ex con who was really good, and Mark Fidrych who I always swore was on something but if his arm didn’t give out he’d probably be a centerpieces the 84 team, and though we sucked we signed the best manager in tigers history imho Sparky Anderson we also had the greatest draft class in history, Gibby, Tram, Sweet Lou, and Jack Morris
Just found your channel the other day and have been enjoying it. Solid content and you've got a sub from me. Keep up the good work man!
Awesome and impressive story to say the least
Great video love how you brought up inner city baseball
My grandpa and I watched this and he said it made him go down memories lane
You guys should really talk about the amazing career of Hank Greenberg. Greenberg had a very similar story to Jackie Robinson, at the time Hank Greenberg joined the MLB he was the first Jewish athlete to wear a Major League Uniform. Similarly to Jackie Robinson, Greenberg faced anti-Semitic hostility (because he was Jewish) from fans and players. But he proved his haters wrong. And like Leflore and that other Tigers player you talked about, Greenberg player for the Tigers as well.
He does have an amazing career, but I don't think he was the first Jewish Ball player in the major....There were some before him, not many but there were some, as far back as the 19th century....
@@SirLuciferVampiro Yeah I just checked it was Lip Pike, but even so Greenberg had a very similar story to Jackie Robinson.
Ron Leflore rookie cards just spiked 697% after this video came out!!
flash flood warning gotta love Michigan
Awesome video brother, thank you for it
I was 12 yrs old here in Detroit during his first yr in MLB & he was electric. I remember Billy Martin taking shit for bringing him in. But that ended quickly. He could play ball. Fast as hell, had a good swing & could a good CF.
He was a real shot in the arm for a horrible time for the Tigers.
The real life Can't Get Right 🤣
I remember a made for TV movie about him when I was a kid.
Was Ricky “wild thing” Vaughn based off of him?
Look up Gates Brown. He too made his name in prison and played for the Detroit Tigers, and actually was part of the '68 Championship team.
Mr Brown was “discovered” while incarcerated at Ohio State Reformatory, where The Shawshank Redemption was filmed.
@@TBClarkJr20 indeed he was. I heard the guards there were impressed by distance he would hit homers during inmates/guard games. That is the word about him spread.
Great story telling man
He actually became manager of The newburgh nighthawks which was a minor league affilate of the cardinals at the time. He brought his Team in to play us in a ny prison in softball .Good guy . I have a few flickes with hin
1st free agent Jerry Reinsdorph and Eddie Einehorn signed after purchasing the Chicago White Sox in the 1981 season.
What a story
I love baseball
Good video. Very good video. I had never heard of Ron Laflore. Despite being a victim of the war on drugs and thus incarcerated at a young age he was able to use that time to devolop an elite skill. Kudos to those scouts and GMs and managers who recognized his talent and gave him a shot at redemption despite his criminal history. There are not enough people like that in this country and this greatly contributes to the high recidivism and revolving door criminal justice apparatus in this country. If our jails and prisons focused on developing useful skills and our probation system focused on job placement things could be different. Obviously very few prisoners have the untapped skills for professional sports but plenty do have hidden unrealized talents for many things and there are potential lawyers, salespeople, authors, computer programmers, plumbers, dentists, undertakers, rocket scientists, painters etc etc etc. If we worked on building self esteem while foster employable skills and job training I believe recidivism would plummet and the streets would become safer and the workforce stronger.
Btw- I dont know the details of Ron's criminal history but its implied in the video that it had to do with drugs. This of course would make sense since most incarcerations are drug related. Think of how many other Ron Leflores never got to realize their dream because our country locked them away for a personal non-violent choice. Some kid destined to break the single season homerun record is caught with a joint at 16 and that sets a course in motion that keeps him in an out of jail his entire adult life ruining any chance at pursuing his dreams and utilizing his god given talent
He robbed a bar with a gun. He wasn't a victim of the war on drugs. That is a nonsense statement.
I played for the RBI league when I was in my 20s. Best summer baseball wise. RBI helped alot.
Who knew the convict would be good at stealing?
But fr this man tried to do the best with the cards he was dealt and you have to respect how he tried to turn his life around
Every time a vid is uploaded I click at lightning speed
Sad but great story
How many players can say they got LeVar Burton to play them in a movie?
My great uncle played for the Florida tropics after getting waved in low a ball for the tigers
What a cool story! Look up Toe Nash, similar story in a way
I think Baseball Doesn't Exist just did a video on him not too long ago. Good call.
ron legoat
Good stuff
One of my boyhood favourites.
i met him and got his autograph!
The bar was the Lindell A.C. which is considered the first sports bar and has a documentary about it.
You should do a video on Champ Summers
For context.......Ron Leflore ended his baseball career with a .288 batting average.........Better than any active Detroit Tiger currently on the team. Our highest Batting Average on the team currently is Riley Greene at .260. And Riley was a 5th overall draft pick, and considered to be our best hitter on the team.......Ron Leflores story is amazing and really does make you think of, "What if".
cool video, really enjoyed.
How can he first player to lead both NL and AL in SB?
I want baseballllllllll
Dam he stole alot of bases one of the best players I've never heard of.
Ron leflore.......one in a million
Where have all the traveling marshmallow salesmen gone?
The guy who was in prison so happens to be known for his stolen bases.
A friend of mine played football at notre dame while on felony probation
Addiction is death.
+1 RBI Program!!
He was a great player
Cool, expos then MTL police !
You didn’t mention Jimmy Butsicaris’s role in getting him out of prison.
5:15 How can Sparkey only be 45 here?
Sparky Anderson was born looking like he was 60 years old
@@fredaaron762 i was shocked when i found out he wasnt over 120 when he died.
Is this a video about Rick vaughn?
How have I never heard of him?
Major League references get a thumbs up for me :D
Gate brown ex detroit tiger 🐯 player& coach played started baseball in prison
One of the few worthwhile stories to come out of that sports hellhole that is Detroit.
This is awkward, but I just looked up who "4Lorn" was and saw that he literally just tweeted out that he's not dead
The Wire is the greatest show of all time
1:20 No Sh*+ Sherlock
sad his career ended on that note :(. but, that's american prison for ya.
So what league did you play in last year.. California Penal
Prison Baseball?
Ricky Vaughn began his career in prison
billy martin once beat up a traveling marshmellow salesman? i think that story deserves a video all itself....
7th comment
6 like
2,000 viewer
if he got guidance and never went to prison then he likely would never make it to the majors since that was the obstacle that sparked him into making it to the majors. had he got guidance he would probably end up a sales manager for a lumber yard.
Sparky would never try to help a person.
Ironic that he was a stolen base champ