Hall of Famer Rod Carew closed an emotional conference call on Monday afternoon with a message that was both personal and universal.
"Get tested," he said.
Carew stressed how lucky he is to have survived what he was told was a "widow-maker" of a heart attack on Sept. 20. In his recovery with his family in San Diego county, he is taking it upon himself to spread the word about thorough heart checkups.
In his most recent doctor's visit, he'd been informed that his blood pressure and cholesterol were high. But he had no idea a near-fatal heart attack was on the horizon.