Carlos Correa Bluntly Responds to Being Called ‘Cheater’ by Opposing Pitcher

Baseball fans across the country love to bust out the boo birds whenever a player linked to the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal comes to town. Apparently, players on other teams haven’t forgotten about it either.

White Sox pitcher Keynan Middleton was candid about his feelings on the matter after striking out Twins shortstop Carlos Correa on Wednesday night, telling reporters after the game, “I don’t like him, so it was kind of cool. I like that. I enjoyed that a lot. … I mean, he’s a cheater.”

Correa was asked about Middleton’s comments on Thursday, but put an end to a potential war of words with a nonchalant response.

“I’ve heard worse,” Correa said, per ESPN’s Bradford Doolittle.

Correa debuted with the Astros in 2015 and spent his first seven big-league seasons with the team, starring for Houston during the 2017 World Series run. That championship became sullied in the eyes of many after the sign-stealing scandal was brought to light prior to the 2020 season. Correa left the team as a free agent the following year, signing with Minnesota in ’22.

Correa will make a return trip to Houston later this month, with the Twins scheduled for a three-game road series against the Astros beginning on May 29.