. >> that heart attack threatened to strike out 71-year-old hall of famer rod carew for good. he desperately needed a transplant. turns out it was another athlete, a 6'6" 270 pound giant of a man that saved his life. konrad played for the jets and ravens in the nfl. >> he wanted to always help other people. that's the way he lived his life. >> reporter: last thanksgiving at just 29, konrad collapsed from a brain aneurysm and never regained consciousness. it was his mom, mary, who encouraged him to fill out his organ donor card. >> i told the doctors, i said, who ever gets this heart better deserve it because it was a good heart. >> reporter: in fact, carew was chosen to be the recipient of konrad's heart and kidney. his liver and second kidney were donated to others. >> the greatest gift we can give is a gift of life. >> reporter: today, the carew and reuland families gathered as one, urging everyone to get involved in the organ donor program. >> i promised i will take care of konrad's heart. whatever journey i take, he will be right there with me. >> reporter: now, when konra

>> yes, and then i was gone. >> reporter: this is rod carew. even if you're barely a baseball fan, you know the name. >> these are all for winning the batting titles. >> reporter: long before that massive heart attack landed him on the transplant list, this hall of famer played for the minnesota twins and california angels. along the way, he earned a reputation for being great with kids, including one wide-eyed boy named konrad reuland. >> he gets in the car, big eyes and everything-- he's about 11, maybe 12-- and he's saying, "mom, mommy, i met rod carew today. you know, he's a pro athlete upon i want to be a pro athlete." and rest of the day that's all he talked about was meeting rod carew. >> reporter: they only met that once, but these two professional athletes are now inseparable, because a few months before he died, konrad checked the "organ donor" box on his driver's license application, and by sheer coincidence the man who received his heart was none other than rod carew. >> it's good to see you. >> you are part of our family now. >> ye

. >> reporter: this is rod carew.even if you're barely a baseball fan, you know the name. >> these are all the titles. >> reporter: long before that massive heart attack landed him on the transplant list this hall of famer played for the minnesota twins and california angels. along the way he earned a reputation for being great with kids including one wide eyed boy named conrad ruland. >> he gets in the car, big eyes, about 11, maybe 12 and he's saying mom, mommy, i met rod carew today. he's a pro athlete. i want to be a pro athlete and the rest of the day that's all he talked about was meeting rod carew. >> reporter: they only met that once, but these two professional athletes are now inseparable because a few months before he died conrad checked the organ donor box on his driver's license and the man who received his organ that saved his life was rod carew. >> you're part of our family now. >> yes, forever. >> reporter: the two families got together recently. >> i'm going to ask mom to listen to his heart and tell m

within hours carew on a waiting list for new organs after a massive heart attack got the call. his heart and kidney were a perfect match for carew. >> i talked to him and i thanked him i told him, i says, we'll see each other again. we're brothers here and we're going to be brothers in heaven also. >> this wasn't the first time both families met. conrad went to middle school with carew's kids when they lived in orange county and the families are preaching the benefits of organ donations due to the connection. that's a lifetime connection there. >> wonderful story. >> time now 5:14. >>> let's check traffic and weather. >> good morning. we'll begin over at the bay bridge toll plaza. we are starting to see a few more cars join the wednesday morning commute. but hey, we're still in the green especially along the eastshore freeway. that's still checking in problem-free as you make your way from the carquinez bridge to the maze. a quick easy 14 minutes. if you are heading eastbound though across the bay bridge into oakland, especially for those traveling along eastbound 80 as you tra

. >> reporter: this is rod carew.if you're barely a baseball fan, you know the name. >> these are all for winning the batting titles. >> reporter: long before that massive heart attack landed him on the transplant list, this hall of famer played for the minnesota twins and california angels. along the way he earned a reputation for being great with kids. including one wide-eyed boy named conrad ruland. >> he gets in the car big eyes and everything, he's about 11, maybe 12. and he's saying mommy, i met rod carew today, he's a pro athlete, i want to be a pro athlete. the rest of the day that's all he talked about, is meeting rod carew. >> reporter: they only met that once, but these two professional athletes are now inseparable because a few months before he died conrad checked the organ donor box on his driver's license application. >> welcome. >> reporter: and by sheer coincidence the man who received his heart was none other than rod carew. >> good to see you. >> you're a part of our family now. >> yes. forever. >> y

days earlier, he attended school with carew's children. today the american heart association released these photos meeting with his parents last month. that's his father listening to his son's heart beat. the 71-year-old called the meeting unbelievable. still to come on abc 7 morning, how the city of boston will remember those who died in the marathon bombing on this fourth anniversary, but first the allegation against united allegation against united airlines the toothpaste that helpstax, prevent bleeding gums. if you spit blood when you brush or floss you may have gum problems and could be on the journey to much worse. help stop the journey of gum disease. try new parodontax toothpaste. it's clinically proven to remove plaque, the main cause of bleeding gums. for healthy gums, and strong teeth. leave bleeding gums behind. new parodontax toothpaste. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ to take advantage of this offer on a volvo s90, visit your local dealer. . >>> and we're starting this half hour with a look at the weather. here's meteorologist francis dinglasan.

. >> he's about 11, maybe 12, and he's saying, "mom, mommy, i met rod carew today."

a late stanford football player. 71-year-old rod carew had successful heart and kidney transplant surgery back in december. both of those organs donated by conrad who was just 29 when he died of a brain aneurysm last year. he played with several nfl teams including a brief stint with the niners. today he told the family he will advocate and raise awareness for organ donors. >> whatever journey i take, he's going to be right there with me, helping me to save other people's lives. >> this is believed to be the first transplant involving professional athletes. >> and all their families are together. what a great story that is. we're back in a moment with a great story for the sharks tonight including a special visitor before the game. stay with us. if you listen carefully...you can still hear the screaming.. the shark tank weas rocking tonight. >>> okay. if you listen carefully, you can still hear the screaming, shark tank was rocking tonight. a historic playoff performance for the sharkies. >> they scored seven goals, that is a touchdown. jerry rice style. nbc bay area colin is on the ice.

. >>> amazing new information about the heart and kidney transplant baseball hall of famer ron carew received in december. we learned he was a one time 49ers player who died from an aneurysm four days earlier. today the american heart association released these photos of him meeting with parents last month, that's his father listening to his son's heart beat. the 71-year-old called the meeting unbelievable. >>> city leaders celebrated 107 new public housing units they hope will change not only the look of san francisco, but its sense of community. it's the new hunters view development. as abc 7 news reporter wade freeman reports, it's called a new model, not only for this region, but for the entire country. >> reporter: take a look at this, new housing with amazing san francisco views both outside and in. a san francisco supervisors toured this unit in the 107 new homes of hunters view, he saw something more. opportunity. >> you live through the crisis and the rages and now we're here to rebuild and develop new housing. >> reporter: yes, it is public housing and a stat with what wil