Rod Carew played 19 MLB seasons for the Minnesota Twins and California Angels from 1967-1985. He faced many challenges throughout his career en route to his election to the Hall of Fame, but perhaps none were as tough as his latest assignment.
Carew, 70, is in need of a heart transplant after suffering a near-deadly heart attack on Sept. 20, according to Steve Rushin of Sports Illustrated. The MLB legend was playing golf alone that day at Cresta Verde Golf Course in Corona, Calif., 11 days before his 70th birthday.
"Stepping off that [first] tee box, Carew suddenly felt his chest burn and his hands go clammy," writes Rushin. "Retreating to the clubhouse, he lay on the floor and asked a woman there to call a paramedic."
"The next thing I saw was a man with paddles in his hands," Carew says. "He was yelling, 'We're losing him! We can't lose him!' Then I blacked out."
He's now hoping to qualify for a heart transplant after having a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) installed to help the heart pump blood throughout his body. Carew said his heart stopped beating on two separate occasions back on Sept. 20 and he was "brought back to life."
The former infielder played 12 seasons with the Twins and seven with the Angels. He was a 12-time All-Star with Minnesota, won Rookie of the Year in 1967 and MVP in 1977 after batting .388/.449/.570 with 128 runs scored, 14 home runs, 100 RBI and 23 stolen bases. He lead the MLB in hits with 239 that year as well.
In California he was a six-time All-Star, but never put up similar numbers as he did during his days with Minnesota. He retired after the 1985 season and amassed a .328/.393/.429 career stat line to go along with 3,053 hits (23rd all-time). He also won seven American League batting titles (all with Twins).
Carew is remembered in Minnesota with a statue outside Target Field, which he jokes (with Rushin) is "place for birds to poop."
Here's to hoping Carew is approved for a heart transplant as soon as possible.
