1-on-1 with MLB Hall of Famer Rod Carew

Hall-of-famer Rod Carew lives each day to the fullest. That’s the truth after a life-saving heart transplant in 2016. Carew recently wrote a book and started a podcast. In other words, he has lots of opinions. He sat down with our Chris Long to talk about what’s keeping him busy and more.

***Click the video box above to watch the 5-Eyewitness News aircheck of our conversation with Carew***

Caew had a .328 career average and 3,053 hits, to go along with seven batting titles and 18 All-Star Game selections. He’s one of the best hitters in the history of Major League Baseball.

As a rookie second baseman in 1967 with the Twins, Carew hit .292 with 51 runs batted in, making the All-Star team winning the AL Rookie of the Year Award. Carew hit .332 in 1969 en route to his first batting title, helping the Twins win a division title.

After hitting .307 in 1971, Carew went on to win four straight batting titles. The next year, Carew had his best season, hitting .388 with 239 hits, 128 runs scored, 100 runs batted in and capturing the AL MVP Award.

Carew hit .333 in 1978 to win his seventh and final batting crown, then was traded to the California Angels prior to the 1979 season.

Carew remained active through the 1985 season. He currently serves as a Twins hitting consultant each Spring Training.

Follow Rod Carew on Twitter: @RodCarew_29 and visit his website

His book entitled "One Tough Out", is available through this link or on Amazon.com.

Here’s a description of Carew’s book, taken from the publishers’ website:

For a generation of American League baseball fans, Rod Carew was the definition of “batting champion.” An insecure boy from Panama raised by a brutal father, Carew ascended to baseball stardom, tormenting pitchers with a smooth swing from a crouched stance and winning seven batting titles on his way to the Hall of Fame.

It wasn’t until he lost his beautiful 17-year-old daughter to an aggressive and rare form of leukemia that Carew had to re-gather himself and find new purpose outside of baseball. Then he was struck with a near-fatal heart attack and discovered that the heart transplant he received came from a 29-year-old pro football player whom he happened to have met years before.

Now the parents of Konrad Reuland listen to their son’s heart beating strong in Carew’s chest, and Carew works to honor his daughter’s wish that he "make a difference."

In One Tough Out, Carew reflects on the highlights, anecdotes, and friendships from his outstanding career, describing the abuse, poverty, and racism he overcame to even reach the majors. He also takes readers through the challenges he’s conquered in the second half of his life, from burying his youngest daughter to surviving several near-fatal bouts with heart disease.