Ted Williams Enters Rehab Center for Heart

Feb. 20 -- Ted Williams left New York and checked into the Sharp Memorialrehabilitation hospital in San Diego to continue his recovery fromopen-heart surgery less than 5 miles from the Hall of Famer'sboyhood home.

"The trip went smoothly," Williams's son, John Henry, told TheBoston Globe in a call Monday from San Diego. "Dad was lookingabout, blinking. He was definitely alert to what was going on."

The 82-year-old former Red Sox great has been unable to speaksince the surgery because of a tracheotomy that was performed tohelp him breathe.

Slow Recovery

Williams had been at New York Weill Cornell Medical Center sincehaving surgery Jan. 15 in a 9 ½-hour procedure on his left mitralheart valve. The valve was replaced with pig tissue after thepreferred procedure of repairing the valve proved unfeasible.

Doctors also found stretching of the ring holding the tricuspidvalve in place on the right side of the heart, so they tightened itwith sutures.

He left the Manhattan hospital Monday morning for the flight toCalifornia.

Doctors said Williams' recovery has been slow because of acouple of infections, and the fact he can't breathe on his own.

"The plan is to spend a few days in intensive care and makesure these guys have a good handle on Dad's condition," his sontold the Globe. "Then slowly wean him off the breathing machine,and start physical therapy to get him up and moving."

Daughter Encouraged by Williams’ Progress

In past years, the Hall of Famer often made trips early in theyear to visit his hometown.

Sharp Memorial Hospital opened in 1955. Among its areas ofspecialty are cardiac care and rehabilitation.

The Williams family had considered rehabilitation centers inBoston and Gainesville, Fla., along with the one in San Diego.Williams lives in Hernando, Fla.

Williams played his entire career with the Boston Red Sox andwas the last major leaguer to hit .400. He batted .406 in 1941.

Sunday, the Ted Williams Museum and Hitters Hall of Fame heldceremonies in Citrus Hills, Fla., to honor new members. Bob Feller,Dave Winfield and Robin Yount were among those who participated,along with current Red Sox star Nomar Garciaparra.