A Q&A with former major league baseball player, Bernie Carbo.

Many years ago, as a Cardinal fan of about 12 or so, I saw Bernie Carbo play in St. Louis. He had just been traded for by St. Louis for Joe Hague (who happened to be a favorite of mine) a couple of weeks earlier.

Usually, when one of your favorite players are traded, it's difficult to like the player received in the trade. But there was something about Carbo. He had a bit of a "swagger" to him. He walked with degree of confidence. I instantly liked him.

Cut to present day. I happen to be an administrator of The Ultimate Cardinal Fan Page on Facebook. One day, a few of us were talking about former Cardinals we liked when we were younger. Naturally, I mentioned Carbo. Then I got to thinking, I wonder if there's a way I can see what he's doing present-day. I began poking around on the internet and discovered an old ESPN "Outside The Lines" story on Bernie.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6otfdGNbjc0

As you see, quite a back-story on Bernie. I was so stunned by the OTL story I decided to see if I could contact Bernie. I was lucky enough to get a phone number and called Bernie. He was gracious enough to allow the following Q&A. 


Me: I always got a kick out of the fact that major league players, who make PLENTY of money, are given close to $150 a day in meal money while on the road. What was the amount you received in your 1st year?

Carbo: In my first full year I got $7 a day (followed by laughter). You believe that?

Me: Did you get a signing bonus from the Reds?

Carbo: Oh yeah. It was $7,000. Boy, I thought I had the world by the you-know-whats. Looking back, in my entire career, I made a little over $400,000. That's not even the major league minimum for a season now.

Me: You played your first 3 seasons in Cincinnati, then went to St. Louis in '72. What did you think at the time?

Carbo: Funny story, I was sitting in an airport terminal with Sparky Anderson when he told me I was being traded to the Cardinals. Before he could say another word, I told him I'll bet I was traded for THAT guy, pointing to Cardinal Joe Hague who was sitting in the terminal as well. Turns out I was right.

Me: Did you enjoy playing in St. Louis?

Carbo: Oh yeah, who didn't? The team wasn't that good at the time, but the old Cardinal greats were always around, which was cool.

Me: Your thoughts on then manager Red Schoendienst?

Carbo: What a great guy. I really liked playing for Red. He was a players manager.

Me: You ended up leaving the game at the age of 33. Why?

Carbo: I hated the game. Hated it. I have the drugs to thank for that. It wasn't the game. It was me.

Me: How are things for you now?

Carbo: Great. Just great. I've been clean and sober for 20 years. I feel great.

Me: What fills your days now?

Carbo: Teaching kids how to play baseball. Telling them about the evils of alcohol and drugs. I also go to prisons and talk to inmates.

Bernie's time was limited, but he asked that I add the link to his page.

http://berniecarbo.com/about.asp


Finally, I can't stress enough the need to watch the, "Outside the Lines" feature ESPN did on Bernie. It gives the true story about what the man went through.

An embarrassment of riches?

First off, I hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas, and also came through New Years unscathed.

After looking over the 40-man roster of the St. Louis Cardinals, the triple-A roster, and watching all the "Breakfast with Bernie's" I can, I've come to the conclusion, this team is loaded at two positions. pitcher and outfield.

At pitcher, the Cardinals have 3 spots locked up. Wainwright, Wacha, and Miller. If Garcia proves to be healthy and ready, then that number is 4.

That means the race for the 5th starter will have many suitors. Leading the pack might be Carlos Martinez. If he is ready, I'm convinced that's the guy the Cardinals would like to fill that spot.  If he's not quite ready, then my guess it would be either Joe Kelly or Lance Lynn. Lefty Tyler Lyons may be a darkhorse candidate as well.

In the bullpen, we know Trevor Rosenthal will be the closer. If Jason Motte is recovered from his elbow surgery, he'd most like take the 7th or 8th inning role with either Kelly or Lynn taking the other inning. Whoever loses out between Kelly or Lynn probably stays as long-relief.

That leaves Randy Choate and Kevin Siegrist as the left-handers and righty Seth Maness if you need a ground ball out, or double-play.

If Martinez starts the season at AAA, and either Kelly or Lynn becomes the 5th starter, there would be an opening in the bullpen. I would think that Keith Butler or Sam Freeman could fill that spot.


In the outfield, It's less confusing, but still crowded. Matt Holiday will be in LF come opening day. And most likely, Allen Craig in RF. In CF, I think the Cards will give newcomer Peter Bourjos every opportunity to win the job.

But what about Oscar Taveras? If he comes to camp and makes a good impression, I would think he'd be the 4th outfielder and spell both Holliday and Craig. Jon Jay would be the back-up in CF and a LH pinch-hitter. Shane Robinson would most likely be kept too.

If Taveras is sent to AAA, I'm not sure what the team does then. There are plenty of options.

That's the great thing with this team, it does have depth which leads to having options. You have to believe that Cardinal GM, John Mozeliak, will be busy receiving phone calls as spring-training draws closer.