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1978 Ron LeFlore Detroit Tigers Hand-Painted Baseball by George Sosnak
Displayed is a wonderful example of unique folk art - a 1978 Ron Leflore/Detroit Tiger themed baseball hand-painted by iconic artist George Sosnak, and signed by both Sosnak and LeFlore. As an article by Dave Bailey in the Jan. 13, 2009, edition of Sports Collector's Digest relates, George Sosnak was at various times a soldier, a supervisor of a recreation park, and other jobs. While umpiring in the Pioneer League in 1956, a female fan who knew of his artistic bent asked Sosnak to paint a baseball in honor of her favorite player. Sosnak complied, and soon was besieged by players, umpires, fans, and even presidents to create a painted baseball. Bailey's article states that Sosnak's baseballs are usually done using India ink and feature an unschooled portrait in a basic manner. Then Sosnak adds detailed, almost microscopic description. It is speculated that there are over 800 Sosnak baseballs extant, but many of the baseballs are tucked away for safe keeping. Because Sosnak umpired spring training games at the Lakeland, Florida spring training site of the Detroit Tigers, and eventually moved to Lakeland, many of Sosnak's baseballs feature Detroit Tigers, such as Hall of Famers Charlie Gehringer and Mickey Cochrane. The story of Ron LeFlore is also a unique tale - presented in both a made for television movie - One in a Million: The Ron LeFlore Story - and a book, Breakout: From Prison to the Big Leagues were made about LeFlore. A native of Detroit, in 1970, he was sentenced to prison for armed robbery, and he played his first organized baseball while incarcerated. In 1973, Detroit Tiger manager Billy Martin was asked to visit the prison to observe LeFlore playing baseball, and a parole arrangement was made and LeFlore was signed by the Tigers. That year, LeFlore hit .277 for Clinton in the Class A Midwest league, and in 1974, assigned to Lakeland, Florida, where he hit .331 with 45 steals in 102 games. He was promoted for nine games to Class AAA Evansville, Illinois, and then called up to the Detroit Tigers, where he hit .260 with 23 stolen bases. In the five-year period from 1976 to '80, Leflore hit .300 or over three times, and stole an incredible 340 bases. He was traded to the Montreal Expos in 1981 and he led the National league in stolen bases with 97, the first player to ever lead both leagues in steals. Traded to the Chicago White Sox in 1982, LeFlore's performance began to slip, and he was finished with MLB after the 1983 season. Later, it was revealed that LeFlore was really 25 years old when he signed his contract out of prison rather than the 21 years old that was promulgated. The gorgeous baseball is signed and inscribed by LeFlore in black marker and reads "To Ed, Best Wishes Always Ron LeFlore." The painted baseball is signed by Sosnak and has LeFlore's statistics and the Detroit Tiger logo and also reads, "1978 Detroit Tigers/Tiger Stadium." The ball is in excellent condition and because it combines the unique work of Sosnak with the unique story of LeFlore, it makes for a one-of-a kind valuable keepsake.
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