Even if you say that open heart surgery is “not an emergency,” it’s definitely serious business.

Steve Ginsburg reports for Reuters that Houston Astros third baseman Aaron Boone, 36, will soon have open heart surgery that could end his career, the veteran infielder announced recently.

In Game 7 of the 2003 American League Championship Series, Boone homered off Boston Red Sox knuckleballer Tim Wakefield to send the New York Yankees into the World Series.

Not an emergency situation?

“I have been diagnosed as having a heart condition involving the aorta and aortic valve,” Boone told reporters at the Astros’ spring training complex in Florida.

Boone, who played last season with the Washington Nationals, said it was “not an emergency situation.” In fact, he’s known about this problem since he was in college. So I can understand waiting until he’s had a chance at a Major League career, but if I had been in his shoes, it would have been difficult for me to escape the notion that I may be risking my life. No matter how much of a cash advance I received on a Major League salary, it wouldn’t be worth the money in my opinion.

He may hang up his spikes

“Initially, my doctors thought I could delay corrective surgery for some time but because of some variations in my condition they are now advising me to deal with the problem sooner rather than later. Am I going to recover well enough to play baseball again? Probably. Will I play baseball again? I don’t know at this time. We’ll cross that bridge when we get there.”

Boone, an all All-Star in 2003, has a career .264 batting average with 126 home runs and 555 RBI over 11 seasons with five clubs. He is the fourth generation of the Boone family to play in the Major Leagues, beginning with grandfather Ray (1948-1960), father Bob (1972-1990) and brother Bret (1992-2004).

“It definitely hits home but I’m doing well with it. I’m ready to tackle this thing and get it behind me and get on with life,” he said.

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