GAINESVILLE, Fla., Jan. 24 (UPI) -- Hall of Famer Ted Williams, who underwent open-heart surgery last year, was hospitalized Thursday.
At the request of Williams' family, hospital spokeswoman Kristi Lam gave no details on the condition of the legendary 83-year-old.
The last major leaguer to bat .400 and one of the greatest hitters in baseball history, Williams underwent nine hours of heart surgery in January 2001 at New York Presbyterian Hospital.
Williams was suffering from cardiovascular deterioration, the latest in a series of ailments that have slowed the former Boston Red Sox star. He had a pacemaker implanted in November 2000.
A career .344 hitter, Williams batted .406 in 1941. He is tied for 11th all-time with 521 home runs and is 11th with 1,839 RBI.
Nicknamed "The Splendid Splinter" for his smooth lefthanded swing and lean frame, Williams won two Triple Crowns and was inducted to the Hall of Fame on the first ballot in 1966.
One of the last public appearances by the two-time Most Valuable Player came at the 1999 All-Star Game at Fenway Park, where he was a featured member of baseball's All-Century Team.
