Let's spare hyperbole, the Minnesota Twins turned in a defining early season win on Friday night in the Bronx.
In years past, the Twins likley buckle after starting the game the way they did against the Yankees. Following a total destruction of New York on Thursday, the Twins surrendered back-to-back home runs in the first inning to quickly fall behind 2-0.
Fans have seen this story before, expect this time there was a plot twist. Rather than cave, the Twins fought back and poked at the Yankees until an opportunity presented itself. When it did, after Aaron Boone pulled Nestor Cortes, Minnesota pounced.
Carlos Correa hit an RBI double that scored the go-ahead run and the Twins never looked back. Minnesota's bullpen locked down the Yankees best hitters in a clutch situation and closed out the middle of the order to end the game.
It's only a win in mid-April, but it's hard to not feel like the way Minnesota won is a sign that the team is built different from ones we've seen in the past.
Correa seems to think so as well.
Carlos Correa gives epic quote after Twins comeback win over Yankees
After the game, he gave an absolutely epic quote about how special this team is and will have Twins fans -- and teammates -- ready to run through a wall for him.
"We have a lot of talent, we have great brains in the front office and we've got that dog in us," Correa said to Glen Perkins after the game.
That wasn't all.
It's one thing to get a rah-rah quote like that to fire up fans, but Correa is genuinely bought into this team and the organization. That's huge for anyone wondering how truly committed he is to Minnesota after almost signing with two other teams this offseason.
"We have a lot of talent, we have great brains in the front office and we've got that dog in us."
— Bally Sports North (@BallySportsNOR) April 15, 2023
Carlos Correa drove in three runs in the 4-3 win over the Yankees. @glenperkins caught up with Correa after the win. #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/w6SU5BPHCa
Baseball is a business, but it's pretty clear that the Twins clubhouse is family for Correa. That was reflected in his coming to bat both in the game and after for starter Louie Varland.
"You know Louie, after he gave up those two home runs in the first inning, he settled down and pitched a great game. He gave us a chance to win and I felt like we had to go out there and score some runs for him," Correa said.
That doesn't sound like a guy who settled for less and is collecting checks. Correa is all-in on the Twins; there's no denying that when he and the team are firing on all cylinders they're truly a top dog contender.