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Three-time MLB All-Star Carlos Correa is preparing to start his 12th season in the big leagues, but he almost never got the chance after a harrowing incident last summer.
Correa, the No. 1 pick in the 2012 MLB Draft, began his career with the Houston Astros and almost immediately became a star, winning the National League Rookie of the Year Award and establishing himself as a franchise cornerstone.
Correa went on to win the World Series with Houston in 2017 before leaving in free agency in 2022, signing a six-year, $200 million deal with the Minnesota Twins after deals fell through with both the San Francisco Giants and New York Mets over medical concerns.
He spent just 3.5 seasons in Minnesota, with mixed results, before being traded back to the Astros. But he’ll never forget his time there.
Carlos Correa Recalls Terrifying Near-Death Experience
Minnesota is known as the “Land of a 10,000 Lakes.”
Officially speaking, the state has 14,420 bodies of fresh water that cover at least 10 acres each. Last summer, one of those lakes, Lake Minnetonka, nearly claimed the life of Correa and his 3-year-old son Kylo.
Two weeks prior to the trade back to Houston, Correa and his family were on a boating trip when the star shortstop, who was not wearing a life jacket, ended up overboard. His son, who was wearing a life jacket at the time, was also in the water and clinging to Correa’s shoulders.
“Pappi, are we going to be OK?” Correa told MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart of his son’s words.
Correa spotted a buoy and attempted to reach it.
“‘Lord, save me,'” Correa told McTaggard of his thoughts. “‘I promise you that if you save me from this one, I will serve you and I will serve you forever.'”
Correa reached the buoy, but slipped off, injuring his hand as he grabbed the chain below. Eventually, he pulled himself back to the surface long enough to yell out for help.
Thankfully, his father-in-law, who had been on the family trip with them, spotted the two and swam toward them, flinging a life jacket in Correa’s direction. He caught his breath, put the jacket on, and the two made it safely back to the boat.
Drowning Incident Made Carlos Correa More Religious
After surviving the terrifying incident, Correa made good on his promise of being more religious. He now serves at a retirement home in Houston, where he gives English-language sermons. He also organized a bible study at his home for friends, family, and teammates. That group has grown from eight people to 60.
“We did really fun stuff, and people felt attracted to it to the point where we were all looking forward to every Saturday so we could meet,” Correa said. “It became a thing, and then I came (to Spring Training), and it was tough leaving the house church behind, but we’re working on doing some stuff during the season. Maybe before some day games, after Sunday games.”
Now, Correa is preparing for his 13th season of Major League Baseball. But more importantly, it’s one that, for a moment, he felt he may not live to see.