Bernie Carbo 
Diamond Club Ministry
By Joey Warner
      

       Bernie Carbo was raised in Detroit.  In 1965,  at the age of 17, he was the 16th player drafted in the first round by the Cincinnati Reds, ahead of Johnny Bench.
       In 1969,  Bernie was Minor League Player of the Year, winning the batting title for the American Association with a .359 batting average. In the big leagues, he was the Sporting News Rookie of the Year in 1970. He participated in two World Series and holds the World Series record for pinch hit home runs.
       His major league career spans over a decade and he played with the Cincinnati Reds “Big Red Machine”, Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, Milwaukee Brewers, Cleveland Indians and Pittsburgh Pirates.  He hit .264   in 1,010 games with 96 homers and 358 RBIs. In a two year span in 1972 and 1973, he had 26 assists as an outfielder in 186 games.
       While playing with the Boston Red Sox, Carbo hit a dramatic pinch-hit, three-run homer in the eighth inning of Game 6 of the 1975 World Series to tie the game. The homer set the stage for Carlton Fisk's theatrical home run in the 12th as Boston defeated Cincinnati and sent the Series to Game 7.
       The memory will live forever as Fisk, who bounced up and down as he moved toward first base and anxiously waved both hands and arms to his right side with hope that the ball in flight would clear the left field foul pole. That historic moment would have never been possible without Carbo’s 3-run blast in the eighth, which was even more exhilarating.
       Carbo experienced major problems that existed in his life on and off the field but he worked through it and found a better way to live.
       He resides in Mobile and gave his testimony to the Christian Business Men's Committee (CBMC) in October at Hank Aaron Stadium.
       "I started drinking when I was about 16, started on marijuana and cocaine at 21, and got into crystal meth, Dexedrines, Benzedrines, Darvons, codeine and sleeping pills," Carbo said.  “Playing harder, playing faster, living harder, and I got caught up in that life and I continued to make bad choices until I ran myself completely out of baseball.”
        In 1989, Carbo’s problems became worse.  His mother committed suicide. A few months later, his father passed away. Then, Carbo went through a divorce. He contemplated suicide. "I did not want to live in this world," Carbo admitted.
       Carbo said he had his hand outside his grave and God pulled him up  before two of his former teammates with the Boston Red Sox learned of his predicament. Ferguson Jenkins and Bill Lee, both of whom had experienced their full share of personal problems, contacted Carbo. They convinced him to address his drug problems by entering rehabilitation. During his time in rehab, Carbo learned about Christianity.
       Embracing the values of religion, Carbo became a Christian minister while also performing as a motivational speaker.
       He found a God-given talent for working with youth and has a heart that burns for revival among youth and their families.
       In 1993, The Diamond Club Ministry was founded by Carbo as a Christian organization to glorify Jesus Christ. The primary platform is evangelistic camps and revival services for youth and their families.  Carbo wants to make sure that everyone has an opportunity to hear the life changing message of Jesus Christ.
       The Diamond Club teaches the proper fundamentals of baseball through drills, practice, and fun. Carbo believes that playing the game with competence not only makes one a better player, but increases self esteem and encourages relationship building through team play.   The game of baseball offers a great opportunity to share the Gospel and lead young men and women to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The mission of the Diamond Club is to give youth and their families a simple message; God loves you! Baseball is like an analogy for life. As we head toward first base we are filled with the DESIRE to know God. We realize we are sinners and accept Jesus' death on the cross as payment for our sins. As we go around second base, we become aware of the DISCIPLINE needed to grow in our relationship with Jesus. We learn to die to self so we can be alive in Him. Now we reach third base realizing the importance of FELLOWSHIP with other believers. God has created us as relational beings. We need the support, prayers and time with others who share the love of Jesus Christ. Finally, the love of Jesus strong in our hearts, we head towards home plate. With EVANGELISM as our goal, the true home run is hit when we share the incredible story of Jesus Christ with those who are lost and dying. Now they too can have eternal life.
      Tammy Carbo, Bernie’s wife, has a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology from Wheaton College. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and has worked with youth and their families for nearly two decades.  Tammy has provided training in the areas of sexual abuse,  parenting, self-esteem building and developmental issues for mental health professionals and parents.  
      Tammy currently works with mental school students providing group, individual, classroom and family counseling.  Tammy felt God’s call to work with youth at an early age and through time this call has only deepened.   Her desire is to share God’s love, compassion and acceptance with youth and help parents see their youth through God’s eyes, helping to restore families to the unity God intended.