Cline was born in Hampton, South Carolina, graduated from Charleston's St. Andrew's Parish High School,[1] and went on to play college baseball for Clemson University in the Atlantic Coast Conference for three seasons.

The following March, Cline was the "player to be named later" in a swap that had occurred the previous November 21, when the Indians obtained veteran first baseman Joe Adcock in a five-player trade with the Milwaukee Braves.

[3] Cline was instrumental in helping the Reds defeat the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1970 National League Championship Series, tripling and scoring the winning run in the 10th inning of the first game.

Orioles’ starter Jim Palmer, while running toward home plate, immediately signaled to catcher Elrod Hendricks that Carbo was trying to score from third.

With his back to the play and after being knocked down, Burkhart ruled Carbo out even though Hendricks made the tag with his mitt while holding the ball in his bare hand.