“What a Series!” read the headline on Monday, November 3, 1975 after the Cincinnati Reds defeated the Boston Red Sox in the seventh game of the World Series with a series score of 4-3. For the first time in 35 years, the Cincinnati Reds were baseball's World Champions. Many people remember Carlton Fisk's legendary game-winning homer in the bottom of the twelfth of Game 6, but he never would have had that opportunity if it were not for Bernie Carbo. In the eighth inning with two outs and two strikes, Carbo pinch-hit a 3-run homer that tied the score at 6-6. Carbo's pinch homer was his second of the Series, tying a Series record.
Bernie Carbo was a journeyman who started his career with the Cincinnati Reds. He was the Reds' number-one draft pick in the inaugural 1965 draft, ahead of Johnny Bench. In his 1970 rookie season, Carbo was selected Rookie of the Year by The Sporting News.
As the path to fame often does, Carbo's career bottomed out because of his alcoholism. Finally in 1993, after being an alcoholic for 28 years, he entered rehab. Alcohol and drugs had nearly destroyed his life. While in rehab, he became a born-again Christian. Due to God's grace and the help of understanding people, his life is back on track, he is clean, and he spends his time working with youth all across America.
Bernie Carbo now attends Lighthouse Baptist church in Mobile, Alabama, pastored by Randy Tewell, a Hyles-Anderson graduate. He also has founded the Diamond Club Ministry to teach the fundamentals of baseball through drills, practice, and FUN! He has used this ministry to present the Gospel to hundreds of people who otherwise may never have been receptive to Christ.
Carbo visited First Baptist Church this year and spoke to the entire congregation and then again Sunday evening to the teenagers. His powerful testimony of God's saving grace along with his major league escapades helped to make the services very powerful. If you would like to purchase the DVD of Bernie Carbo's visit to First Baptist Church, you may call the church at (219) 932-0711.
Author Resource:-
Mr. Jon Cuozzo teaches an adult Sunday School class at First Baptist Church, Hammond, IN and is also the associate pastor of South Point Baptist Church of Crown Point, IN.
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