Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Ted Williams is reported in serious condition at a Gainesville, Florida hospital after being taken there Thursday with a high temperature and low blood pressure.

The only other information the Williams family had authorized the hospital to release Friday morning was that the former player was resting comfortably.

The Boston Globe newspaper reported the 83-year-old Ted Williams was given fluids and antibiotics in the intensive care unit Thursday, and his vital signs improved. His son, John Henry Williams, told the newspaper his father got some sort of cold or flu or something, but that he was "far from dead."

The family at first did not think it was serious enough for a hospital visit, but decided not to take a chance. Williams said his father might return home later Friday. Williams spent 10 weeks recovering from heart surgery last year. Considered by many to be the greatest hitter in the game, Williams played his entire 19-year career with the Boston Red Sox. He was the last man to hit .400 for a season, finishing the 1941 season with a .406 batting average. Known during his playing days as "The Splendid Splinter," Williams has lived in Florida since retiring.

In November, 2000, a pacemaker was placed in Williams' chest. But a series of strokes, including an especially severe one in 1994, limited his vision and mobility.

Some information for this report provided by AP.

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