Bernie Carbo: the game I'll never forget: former N.L. Rookie of the Year and Red Sox outfielder recalls pinch-hit home run that tied Game 6 of 1975 World Series.(American League)

GAME 6 OF THE 1975 WORLD Series -- they still remember that in New England today.

It was the Reds versus the Red Sox at Fenway Park. The Red Sox were losing 6-3 in the bottom of the eighth inning when I pinch-hit for Roger Moret. There were two outs, and Freddy Lynn and Rico Petrocelli were on base.

Even though I was sent up, I wasn't expecting to get a chance to hit. Rawly Eastwick was on the mound, and he was a righty. Sparky Anderson pretty much always played things by the book, so I expected him to bring in Will McEnaney, who was a lefty.

Before I went to the plate, I went over to Juan Beniquez and said, "Get ready to hit," since Juan was a right-handed hitter. What was I thinking as I went to the batter's box? I was focused on looking over at Sparky, watching and waiting for him to bring in McEnaney. When I got into the batter's box, I was still looking at Sparky.

Then I turned to Johnny Bench and said, "Sparky's going to let me hit?" Remember that there were three days of rainouts before Game 6. There had been no formal practices or hitting, just some light workouts at Tufts University that I didn't attend. It was the first time I had picked up a bat seriously for all that time.

Eastwick blew the first pitch right by me. I was overmatched. I worked the count to 2-2 before Eastwick threw a slider.

Then I made one of the worst swings ever, picked the ball out of Bench's glove and hit a little foul dribbler. Bench said it was worse than a Little Leaguer's swing. Rico said I swung like a pitcher. I'm thinking to myself "I almost struck out!" My next thought was that Eastwick wouldn't be throwing another slider.