The journeyman outfielder starred in the 1975 World Series, tying the Series record with two pinch homers; the second tied the score in the eighth inning of Game Six, setting the stage for Carlton Fisk‘s dramatic overtime home run. Carbo had been the Reds’ number-one draft pick in the inaugural 1965 draft, ahead of Johnny Bench. He was TSN Rookie of the Year in 1970, batting .310 with 21 HR. But the lefthanded hitter slumped to .219 his sophomore year, and arrived in Boston in 1974. With the Red Sox, Carbo was given a giant stuffed animal for good luck. He tabbed it “Mighty Joe Young,” and the beast became as well known in Boston as Bernie. His 1978 sale to Cleveland caused Boston pal Bill Lee to walk out (after the season, Lee was sent to the Expos); Lee claimed Carbo was “the best tenth man in baseball.
