Whenever players from the Houston Astros’ 2017 World Series team take the field at Dodger Stadium, fans in Los Angeles greet them with boos and chants, as seen once more on Monday when Carlos Correa stepped up to the plate in the second inning against Shohei Ohtani. The confrontation occurred during a close 2-1 game, with Correa facing Ohtani on the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
As Correa prepared to bat, the crowd erupted in chants of “CHEATER CHEATER,” directed at the Astros infielder. Correa took a fastball from Ohtani for a strike but ultimately lined out to right field. Throughout the game, Correa appeared at the plate three times without recording a hit. Meanwhile, Ohtani completed three innings of pitching, allowing one earned run while striking out three batters and issuing one walk.
Root of the Dodgers Fan Hostility Toward Correa and Astros Players
This animosity extends beyond Correa to other members of Houston’s 2017 World Series lineup, including Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman, who have also faced similar chanting from Dodgers spectators. Followers of the Dodgers claim that their team was unfairly denied the championship title after allegations surfaced that the Astros employed illegal sign-stealing tactics during the series to gain an advantage over Los Angeles pitchers.
Although MLB punished managers AJ Hinch and Alex Cora with suspensions for the cheating scandal, players were reportedly granted immunity in exchange for their cooperation. This unresolved controversy continues to fuel the frustration of Dodgers fans, many of whom express their discontent by vocally targeting Astros players during games at Chavez Ravine.
Carlos Correa’s Reaction to Persistent Fan Criticism at Dodger Stadium
Despite the hostile environment, Carlos Correa has stated he has grown accustomed to the chants and does not allow them to affect his performance. He has even acknowledged the passion of the Dodgers fans, recognizing their enthusiasm for the game and competitive spirit.
“It doesn’t bother me one bit, Correa told David Vassegh of AM 570 L.A. Sports in May 2023. ‘This happened in 2017. That’s six years ago, and every time I come here it’s expected. But I enjoy playing here. It’s a great ballpark, a great atmosphere, they always have a great team on the field. So it’s always great to compete here at Dodger Stadium.'” —Carlos Correa, Astros infielder
While many Dodgers fans continue to call for MLB to strip the Astros of their title, the league has confirmed that the 2017 championship will remain with Houston. As a result, fan protests are likely to persist whenever members of the Astros roster visit Dodger Stadium, maintaining a tense atmosphere that reflects the longstanding rivalry and unresolved controversy.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What surgery did Carlos Correa have?
A. The injury took place in 2014 when Correa was just 19 and considered a promising athlete. He got hurt while sliding into third base, injuring his lower right leg. Correa needed surgery because he broke his right fibula, which is one of the two bones between the knee and ankle and is generally smaller. Additionally, he also damaged some ligaments.
Q. What happened to Carlos Correa?
A. Correa found out he has a minor ankle sprain after a nerve-wracking play. In Minneapolis, the Twins felt relieved on Friday night because Carlos Correa only had a mild right ankle sprain from a concerning incident at second base.
Q. Did Carlos Correa fail physicals?
A. The San Francisco Giants and New York Mets canceled free-agent contracts worth over $300 million each. Both teams were worried about Correa’s right ankle health after he failed physical exams.