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| correa hitting the right time. AP Yonhap News |
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| Bregman greets Houston fans who have been with him for 10 years. AFP Yonhap News |
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| Correa's first greeting to Houston's home fans after returning to the trade. |
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The stands filled with 'No. 1' uniforms rippled. Fans cheered enthusiastically for the players who won the first World Series in franchise history, especially the returning superstar.
The game between the Houston Astros and the Boston Red Sox at Dykin Park in Houston, Texas, on the 12th (Korea time). When Boston's No. 2 hitter appeared in the bottom of the first inning, home fans gave him a standing ovation.
It was Carlos Correa's first home game since returning to trade, the main character of '1', which gave Houston its first World Series title in history. It was also Alex Bregman's first away game in Houston since his transfer to Boston.
The 2017 World Series victory was the first in 55 years for Houston since its foundation in 1962, and the first in franchise history. They are the main players of the championship along with Jose Altuve, who remains Houston's one-club man, and the protagonists of the controversy over stealing autographs stained with the championship trophy.
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| Bregman's greetings. AFP Yonhap News |
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Bregman has grown into a key player on the team since joining in 2015. He was a franchise star in Houston for 10 years until last year and wore a Boston uniform for three years and $120 million (about 166.7 billion won) last winter. While Bregman played, Houston advanced to the postseason for the eighth consecutive year, advanced to the American League Championship Series for the seventh consecutive year, advanced to four World Series, and won two championships.
Houston broadcasted a video commemorating Bregman's Houston days before the start of the game, touching fans' hearts. In an interview with local media such as MLB.COM, Bregman said, `As soon as I came here last night, I felt that I came to Houston after eating what-a-burger (Texas hamburger brand). Houston is a place full of good memories for me. Winning the World Series is especially special. I want to thank the people, the fans, my teammates, the coaches and the club all. I love you forever,' he confessed.
Emotions are emotions, work is work. Bregman showed off his presence by firing a two-run shot at the top of the first inning.
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| Bregman's home run ceremony. AFP Yonhap News |
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But the day's protagonist was Correa.
After winning in 2017, Correa moved to the Minnesota Twins for three years and $15.3 million (about 143.7 billion won) ahead of the 2022 season. After opting out for the first time in a year, he signed huge contracts with the San Francisco Giants and New York Mets, respectively, but all broke down in medical tests and eventually re-signed with Minnesota for six years and $200 million (about 277.8 billion won).
However, Correa wore his Houston uniform again in a trade with Matt Mikulski on the 1st, and after that, he will play his first home game through the Boston-Miami Marlins-New York Yankees away game.
Correa said "I never thought I'd be able to wear this uniform again. I'm really happy to be able to play again in front of Houston fans. Not only me but the whole family likes it. It was a great 10 days, and I'll continue to work hard," he said, holding himself together.
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| Correa. AP Yonhap News |
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Houston overturned the game by scoring three points in the bottom of the third inning, including Correa's timely hit, and took the lead by adding two points in the fourth and fifth innings. Boston scored four points in the top of the seventh, but failed to turn the game around. In the end, the game ended in Houston's 7-6 victory. Houston is ranked No. 1 in the West this year, proving itself to be a strong American League player again.
After the game, Correa said, "I'm really happy to walk back through the tunnel at Daikin Park as a Houston player. I got goosebumps because I remembered my childhood dream of becoming a major leaguer.
When Correa made a timely hit, the stands cheered like fireworks. His wife and two sons, who visited the scene in Correa's uniform, were also very moved.
Correa said "The children were really pleased to hear that they were going back to Houston. Also, it was a series of away games for 10 days immediately after the trade, and when I arrived in Houston, my wife sent me all my luggage from Minnesota. When I got home, everything was ready as it used to be. It was thanks to my family that I had a second chance in my life. "Now it's time to try to achieve a new goal."
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| Houston fans welcoming back Correa. AP Yonhap News |
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This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
