Carlos Correa’s teams have been fortunate to roster excellent closers such as Luke Gregerson, Ken Giles, Ryan Pressly, Jhoan Duran and Josh Hader.
For the biggest save of his life, though, he wants to thank God.
Correa opened up to MLB.com this week in revealing that last summer — while in Minnesota, shortly before the trade back to Houston — he and his young son nearly drowned.
The veteran infield star was in Lake Minnetonka without a life jacket and with his 3-year-old, Kylo, on his neck when the pair were caught between their boat and the shore. Correa’s hamstrings and quads were cramping, he said, and his stamina fading.
With Correa’s hopes slipping, he looked above.
“‘Lord, save me,’” he said. “‘I promise you that if you save me from this one, I will serve you and I will serve you forever.’”
According to Correa, he found a buoy and a moment to breathe. But Correa’s grip slipped from the buoy, and he hurt his hand grasping for the buoy’s chain. Correa told MLB.com that he had to continually switch hands on the buoy to ensure he and Kylo would stay above water.
As a last gasp, he yelled with his all his might toward his boat. He was heard.
His father-in-law swam over and flung a life jacket, which Correa just barely grabbed with his pinkie. He was going to be OK.
“I was like, ‘From that moment on, I’m going to serve you,’” Correa told MLB.com. “I am going to keep my promise. And from that moment, I’ve been fully devoted.”
Correa — who always has been religious — took the next steps in his faith and organized a Bible study at his house in Houston over the offseason. He also told his story at a retirement home in hopes of inspiring others.
Correa may be more appreciative in Year 12 as a major leaguer. The three-time All-Star dealt with injuries and had begun to slope downhill with the Twins before the deadline trade back home that might have helped, as Correa posted a .785 OPS in 51 games back with the Astros last season.
