'Resting comfortably'

Williams hospitalized, responding favorably to care

Ted Williams (shown here in 1991) is getting treatment for a high temperature and below normal blood pressure. AP

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- Hall of Famer Ted Williams was resting comfortably Friday, recovering from flu-like symptoms that sent him to the hospital.

Williams was listed in serious condition after being admitted to Shands Hospital at the University of Florida with a high temperature and below-normal blood pressure on Thursday.

The hospital declined to release additional details at the request of the family.

"He is in serious but stable condition and is resting comfortably," Shands spokeswoman Kristi Lam said.

A later news release added that Williams "is responding favorably to care."

The former Boston Red Sox star, the last player to hit .400 for a season, has been slowed by a series of strokes and congestive heart failure in recent years.

It's unclear whether the 83-year-old would be able to attend next month's ceremony honoring the latest group of players he selected for induction into the Ted Williams Hitters Hall of Fame. Last February, Williams missed the 9-year-old event for the first time after having open-heart surgery.

Williams, who requires daily kidney dialysis, had an especially severe stroke in 1994 that limited his vision and mobility. He had open-heart surgery in January, 2001, two months after doctors placed a pacemaker in his chest.

The Hall of Famer was given fluids and antibiotics in the intensive care unit Thursday, and his vital signs improved, The Boston Globe reported. His temperature was 100 degrees before he arrived, the newspaper said.

"Dad's doing all right," son John Henry Williams told the newspaper. "He's got some sort of cold or flu or something. But he's far from dead."

The family at first didn't think Williams' condition was serious enough to put him in the hospital, but decided not to take a chance.

Williamsm, who spent his entire 19-year career with the Red Sox, has lived in Florida since retiring in 1960.

His home, near the Ted Williams Museum in Hernando, is about 50 miles from Gainesville.

 

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