Hall-of-Famer Rod Carew, 70, hopes to get heart transplant

Published 3:12 pm Monday, November 23, 2015

MINNEAPOLIS — Hall-of-Famer Rod Carew is hoping to qualify for a heart transplant after suffering a massive heart attack two months ago.

Carew told 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 can be performed.

Carew played for the Minnesota Twins and the California Angels in his 19-year career, and has a statue outside Target Field in Minneapolis. He won seven American League batting titles, was the 1967 AL Rookie of the Year and was the 1977 AL MVP.