Carlos Correa Is OK With Being the Heel

The Houston Astros shortstop is a vocal leader on the field and happy to be the team’s spokesman off it, even when it comes to discussing the team’s scandalous past.

HOUSTON — It was a small moment, and it was perhaps unnoticed by many watching Game 4 of the American League division series claimed by the disdained Houston Astros over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday. But it captured exactly what Astros shortstop Carlos Correa has meant to his team.

When Jake Meyers, a rookie center fielder, slammed his left shoulder into the outfield wall while trying to rob Chicago of a second-inning home run and crumpled to the ground in pain, his fellow outfielders raced over to him, as did his manager and an athletic trainer.

Not only did Correa do the same, but he took charge. Meyers, 25, wanted to stay in the game and made a few practice throws, but Correa persuaded him not to.