A baseball Hall of Famer who has been fighting esophageal cancer announced today that he is going into hospice as the fight enters its final stages, CBS Sports reported.

Harmon Killebrew, 74, revealed his diagnosis in December, but said at the time that he expected to fully recover, the story says.

In a statement released Friday by the Minnesota Twins, Killebrew said: "My illness has progressed beyond my doctors’ expectations of cure. I am very comfortable taking this next step and experiencing the compassionate care that hospice provides."

Killebrew played 22 season in the major leagues, including a long run with the Twins from 1961-1974. He started his career with the Washington Senators in 1954.

Killebrew was an 11-time All-Star and the American League MVP in 1969, and went into the Hall of Fame in 1984.

"I look forward to spending my final days in comfort and peace with [wife] Nita by my side," he said in Friday’s statement.