Playing his first series in New York since his 12-year, $315 million free-agent agreement with the Mets fell apart during the offseason, Correa homered for the second straight game and delivered the game-winning two-run double Friday to spark the Twins to a 4-3 victory against the Yankees in The Bronx.
After failed free-agent deals with the Mets and Giants, he ultimately re-signed with the Twins in January for $200 million over six years.
“It didn’t motivate me at all,” Correa said when asked by The Post if he is playing with something new to prove. “I’m happy where I’m at right now. We have a great team, great front office. My contract is shorter so I can retire younger and spend time with my kids. Everything worked out great for me and my family.”
A chorus of loud boos greeted Correa, 28, every time he came to the plate.
Not because of his Mets ordeal — which dragged out over weeks — but because of his connection to the sign-stealing scandal committed by the Astros when they beat the Yankees in the 2017 ALCS.
“The boos, for me, are just like putting gasoline in your Ferrari,” Correa said. “I love it.”
Correa’s first free-agent agreement, 13 years, $350 million with the Giants, fell through because of concerns about an old ankle injury following medical testing.
The Mets swooped in for what owner Steve Cohen saw as the missing piece once Correa agreed to move to third base, but the same injury concern killed that deal and angered agent Scott Boras.
Is his ankle a serious concern?
“Never bothered me, never missed time for it, so it was a big surprise,” Correa said. “When I talked to Scott, I thought it was going to be a done deal. When the call came in, I was surprised.”
Correa started the Twins’ rally from a 2-0 deficit with a one-out solo home run in the sixth inning.
Then, he lined a two-strike double inside of first base that bounced off the wall down the right-field line to drive in the tying and winning runs in the eighth.
If he had those hits for the Mets playing in place of Eduardo Escobar — who is hitting .107 to start the season — a New York-Correa love affair might just be blossoming.
At least in a ballpark across town.
“This is a baseball atmosphere,” Correa said of New York. “The fans know the game. They know the players’ name, they know your family, they know your wife, they know everything about this sport. That’s what I grew up loving about this game. Being a fan of the game, understanding the game, studying the game, and I feel like the fans here get that. For me, that’s fun. Even if they boo me or say whatever they say, I love that.”
A career .322 hitter in 39 games against the Yankees, the two-time All-Star, former Rookie of the Year and clutch postseason performer hasn’t thought much this week about an alternative reality in New York.14
Source: New York Post
