Hall of Famer Rod Carew hopes to get heart transplant
Elsa / Getty Images Sport / Getty
MINNEAPOLIS - Hall of Famer slugger Rod Carew is hoping to qualify for a heart transplant after suffering a massive heart attack two months ago.
Carew tells Sports Illustrated that he suffered the heart attack while golfing alone in Corona, California, on Sept. 20.
The 70-year-old Carew tells the magazine he was dead ''and they brought me back to life.'' He underwent six hours of open heart surgery and had a device installed that pumps blood for him. The device typically acts as a bridge until a heart transplant.
Carew played for the Minnesota Twins and the California Angels in his 19-year career, and has a statue outside Target Field. He won seven American League batting titles, was the 1967 AL Rookie of the Year and was the 1977 AL MVP.