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    Carlos Correa Doesn’t Deserve Boos at Home


    Melissa Berman

    On Tuesday night under a dark and dramatic sky, as Carlos Correa struck out for the second time in the game, a chorus of angry, frustrated boos rang out at Target Field. 

    Image courtesy of Melissa Berman

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    I was sitting along the third baseline at the game, and the boos caught me off guard. Correa has had an abysmal start to the season; he’s batting .185, and to sum things up, his Baseball Savant page stats are primarily in the blue (poor) range. I thought the boos were coming from the scores of rowdy Padres fans crowding the lower deck, but I quickly realized that they were coming from Twins fans. Later that evening, I saw what stood out to me as one of the saddest sports quotes I have seen in a while.

    “I’d boo myself, too, with the amount of money I’m making, and I’m playing like that,” Correa said after the game. 

    Despite his early season struggles, Correa does not deserve to get booed at home. Is it necessary to be hostile to our players, especially when they are holding themselves accountable? 

    Look, I’m a lifelong Minnesota sports fan. I’ve been at Timberwolves games where the Wolves have been down by 20 or 30 at halftime, and I booed. I was at that putrid 2018 Vikings home loss vs. the at-the-time bottom feeder Bills with the Pioneer Press headline “Boos bombard Vikings in 27-6 loss to Bills at U.S. Bank Stadium,” and I joined in. I’m not trying to take a “Holier than Thou” position.

    And I know someone making $33 million a season doesn’t need my defense; after all, he’s the one who made that Dior store comment. Correa needs to be better, but he knows that. One doesn’t get to where he is in his career without being the fiercest competitor imaginable. Players are frustrated enough when they are struggling; when others are on their case, it makes it even worse. Plus, Correa is far from the only Twins player batting poorly right now.

    Slumps are a part of baseball. They come and go, and everyone goes through them. Fans boo a slumping Correa. What is he supposed to do about it? Try harder? It’s the truth that even when players are paid tons of money, it doesn’t mean they are not allowed to go through slumps. Plus, I wonder how much Correa’s back is still affecting him; he already missed time for it this season, and he was wearing what possibly looked like a heating pad in the dugout Tuesday night.  

    I see a difference between booing the overall team based on a perceived lack of effort and booing a specific individual player who, by all accounts, is doing his best but is struggling. Twins fans might argue that because Correa is a team leader, criticism comes with the territory, and I do not deny that, and when you’re being paid that much, you probably should be subject to some extra scrutiny. Correa also gets his fair share of boos everywhere he goes because he was on the 2018 Astros. I don’t think we need to shed any tears for him. But what amount of money does a player need to be paid for him to be “justifiably” treated poorly?

    And when a fanbase turns against a player, it can get ugly. Those looking for an example need look no further than Joey Gallo’s time on the Yankees. Gallo said that he stopped going out in public in New York because of the ugly treatment he received from Yankees fans.

    “A bunch of [players on other teams reached out to offer support],” Gallo told Randy Miller. “It makes me feel like a piece of s--t, honestly. I remember playing here with the Rangers, watching guys get booed off the field and thinking, ‘Holy s--t! I feel bad for that guy.’ Now it’s me. I do appreciate people reaching out, but it makes me feel like I’m a problem,” Gallo said.

    After being traded to the Yankees in July 2021, Gallo hit .160 in 188 at-bats across 58 games. In 2022, he batted .159 in 233 at-bats over 82 games before being traded to the Dodgers at the trade deadline. Based on Gallo’s comments, suggesting that the hostility of the environment contributed to his extended slump is not outrageous.

    I’m not suggesting this is going to happen in Minnesota. If Correa went to the grocery store, even when he’s slumping, fans would crowd him in adoration and ask for a picture. But when I read Correa’s postgame quote, I couldn’t help but think: “What are we, Yankees fans?” Will booing make you feel better? Will booing motivate Correa more? Based on his full comments, Correa is already blaming no one but himself. He doesn't blame you for booing, but it doesn't mean you have to do it. 

    It’s still early in the season. Correa’s bat will heat up; it always does. He’s a proven star. And according to a piece by Dan Hayes, Carlos Correa’s recent metrics suggest his slump is close to over. 

     Correa will be with the Twins for years; the least fans can do is show him a little grace while he’s working through whatever he is battling.

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    6 hours ago, Nine of twelve said:

    I almost never boo any player. Even a Yankee. I think almost every player tries hard to do the best he can. The only thing that I would consider booing is obvious intentional poor sportsmanship. Now, I realize that includes cheating like the Astros did but for me the statute of limitations on that has expired. I think Correa and most of the players and coaches involved in that now regret their actions, although I wish more of them would say so publicly.

    Super good points, and I agree about the statute of limitations thing. I don't think boos need to follow these guys around the entire rest of their careers, but maybe if I was a Dodgers fan I'd feel differently haha. I don't think I've ever booed an individual opposing player, now that I think about it. I boo when I'm at US Bank Stadium and the Packers are announced + run onto the field, but that's not one individual guy. Thanks for reading + taking the time to comment

    6 hours ago, wornsmooth said:

    I was glad to see the author's comment on his back.

    It would not surprise me to learn that Correa has been playing with this nagging at him. 

    Unfortunately there isn't much depth at SS, so he doesn't get much day to day relief. 

    Super good point about the depth at short. Nice to see Royce Lewis is up to Wichita now. Agree- I've thought the same thing that I wouldn't be surprised to hear that his back is still bugging him. At least his play in the field has still been impeccable 

    14 hours ago, Jocko87 said:

    “Criticism, like rain, should be gentle enough to nourish a man’s growth without destroying his roots.”  Frank A Clark 

    I’m born and raised in North Dakota in the Norwegian bachelor farmer tradition as I’m sure many of you are familiar with.  I didn’t get a lot of guidance as a child but what I got was very memorable.  Got caught with beer at 16, dad picked me up from the sheriff.  I got left in the jail after getting a dui at 21. Called dad, he said remember what I told you last time?  Yes sir, was just letting you know where I was.  The feedback was delivered sparingly but with great effect.

    My theory is that the Minnesota booing is a lot like that. I wouldn’t expect it to continue but a message was sent. From his comments, he received the message.  He will probably get some additional feedback on not running out of the box. Hoping Buxton was part of delivering it.  Even leaders needs course correction and those two need to hold each other accountable. 

    It’s also the only feedback loop the fans have.  We are well aware that if this contract goes Chris Davis on us it will be potentially devastating to the franchise for years.  There’s a lot riding on it and it is appropriate to remind from time to time.

    I loved your comment- thanks for sharing. This definitely could be seen as a bit of tough love too. Better than indifference, right? Thanks for the great post that got me thinking/ to see things a little differently! Luckily the last two games he's had some nice, clutch hits, so things are on the up 

    15 hours ago, Schmoeman5 said:

    I don't understand the need to vent ones frustration at a particular player. But it's their right. I know the player being booed by his home crowd knows that they're struggling.  I'm the opposite. Cross my fingers, promise to never do wrong ever. Sacrifice chickens. Whatever it takes to break that slump. 

    Thank goodness it seems like things are on the up- for Correa and hopefully the team too. Two good games from Correa Wed and Thurs, Nice to have Kirilloff back; his bat has provided a great pop in the lineup. 

    15 hours ago, Boswell said:

    Give me a break. 

    Twins fans are way too stoic, accommodating and easy-to-please.  Folks are happy to come to the ballpark and “support their team”, regardless of how they happen to play.  

    We are so far removed from being Yankees fans that even to raise that comparison is weak.  We need to have more of that competitive spirit, to actually provide some activity, rather than passively observe an event.  

    Correa has said that boos in Yankee Stadium are like “fuel for the Ferrari”.  If a grown man, marquee player hears the occasional outburst of discontent, I’d see it as evidence he’s playing for an engaged fanbase.  

    2-0, with two solid performances by Correa, since Tuesday night.  Carlito left the Little Leagues a long time ago. 

    Good points, thanks for taking the time to read and comment!

    6 hours ago, Squirrel said:

    I don’t boo my own because it changes nothing, imo. Just a waste of my energy. But to show my dislike, I don’t pay for it. Money speaks louder than boos. It’s ownership that needs to hear that.

    Super good point as always. Thankfully the Twins pulled out a couple nice wins after I wrote this column, and Correa had a couple good games. Hope they keep it going this weekend vs the Cubs! 

    11 hours ago, joefish said:

    Not running hard out of the box when he mistakenly thought he had hit a home run is inexcusable. I'd boo that. 

     

    11 hours ago, RetractableProof said:

    I'll boo when I want to boo.  Hell, I'm still booing Ron Davis!

    Remember being in college...1983 or 84 when RD on opening night at the Metrodome was heartily booed by 55,000 fans during pregame introductions.  His crime?  Blowing at least (if memory serves) 2-3 saves on west coast trip to start the season.  Not the last time RD was deservedly booed.

    I don’t think those boos were directed toward Correa.

    While they surprised me, I think the maybe 1,000 fans that booed were doing so more out of frustration that, for the umpteenth time, we have an "absolutely should score in this situation" point in the game and collectively at the last couple of hitters but not just Correa, those fans snapped.

    At the team.

    For being horrible wasters of bases loaded situations and other "should score" situations.

    Correa just happened to be the one up to bat when the dream of scoring when expectations were high were once again dashed.

    That being said, he needs to, and I believe will start hitting and be an offensive asset.

    Thoughts of possible unwellness in Correa now, do float in the back of my mind. But how could he play defense like that if not healthy?




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