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Friday 23 February 2018
Houston's Correa looks to take another step in 2018

By KRISTIE RIEKEN the proposal being shared
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) thousands of times.
— At just 23, Carlos Correa Several months after that
is already considered one big moment Correa still
of baseball's best short- beams when it's brought
stops. He thinks he can get up and raves about his re-
better, too. lationship with the former
The Houston star is far from Miss Texas.
satisfied. "It's beautiful," he said. "I'm
"I still have some holes in my a happy man. I get off the
game that people might field and I look forward to
not notice but I do," he said seeing my fiancee and my
Thursday. "I want to get dog and spending time
better at that to have an with them. That's just who I
even better season than am. I don't like to go out. I
last year. Last year was my like to just eat, sleep, play
best year yet by far, it was a baseball and spend time
great year, but I think I can with my family."
do so many things better." They haven't set a date
He is reticent to share de- for the wedding, but want
tails about exactly what to have plenty of time to
he is working on, saying he plan to ceremony. They are
doesn't want to give his op- aiming for some time in De-
ponents any inside informa- cember 2019.
tion. From the outside look- Houston Astros infielder Carlos Correa handles a grounder during spring training baseball prac- But before then Correa has
ing in, it's hard to pinpoint tice Monday, Feb. 19, 2018, in West Palm Beach, Fla. Associated Press plenty of work to do, name-
any deficiencies in Correa's ly helping the Astros repeat
game. 2012 amateur draft has al- the rest of his young play- the part that I'll demand as champions this year.
He hit a career-best .315 ways been a solid defend- ers want to keep improv- out of them." "On paper we're better
with 24 homers and 84 RBIs er, but he is looking to take ing. He also thinks attitudes Along with his success on than last year, it's all about
last year despite being that part of his game to the like Correa's mindset will be the field, Correa is also us putting in the work and
slowed by a thumb injury next level. key to more success for the thrilled about what's go- showing it on the field," he
that kept him out from mid- "I want to be able to save team this year. ing on in his personal life. said. "What inspires me and
July to September. He re- more runs and be an elite "It's pretty nice," he said. "It When he proposed to girl- drives me right now is ... that
turned to form by the post- defender, and I think if I can shows how special the sea- friend Daniella Rodriguez nobody's settling, nobody
season and hit five homers do that with the way I hit it's son was, but it also shows on the field not long after is laying back, everybody
and drove in 14 runs in the just going to be something that you're still vulnerable Houston's Game 7 win in is working to try to be bet-
playoffs to help the Astros special," he said. when you show up the next the World Series, the dash- ter this year. If everybody's
to their first World Series title. Manager A.J. Hinch loves season if you haven't taken ing couple became inter- trying to do that the team's
The first overall pick in the to hear how Correa and a step forward and that's net darlings, with video of only going to get better."q

F1 champion Hamilton more'strategic' online after video row

SILVERSTONE, England and it just so happened go, we will see."
(AP) — Formula One world that it was an opportunistic Hamilton takes part in win-
champion Lewis Hamilton time to change it," the four- ter testing in Barcelona next
plans to be more "strategic" time world champion said. week ahead of the season
on social media after pro- "Moving forward, there is a opener in Melbourne on
voking outrage for chastis- balance you have to strike. March 25.
ing his nephew for wearing I have been very open with The 33-year-old Hamilton is
a princess dress. my life for several years and entering the final season of
The Mercedes driver made it is always difficult to make his three-year contract but
his first public appearance a change because I have talks are underway about
since posting the Instagram enjoyed being open. a new deal with Mercedes
video on Thursday, launch- "But we are living in strange executive director Toto
ing his car for the new sea- times where things are Wolff.
son at Silverstone circuit. magnified a lot more than "It is just the details," Ham-
In the video posted around they were in previous years. ilton said, "so hopefully it's
Christmas with his nephew, It is a critical time for the done before the start of
Hamilton said "Why are you world. I will continue to the season, before the first
wearing a princess dress?" show the world what I am race, but there's no rush,
before telling him that doing, but it is about being and no panic. "I am not
"boys don't wear princess more strategic in what I do feeling pressure from other
dresses!" The criticism led show and don't show." drivers and Toto has no rea-
to Hamilton retreating from Hamilton does still see so- son to believe I am speak-
social media and delet- cial networks as "the gate- ing to anyone else. In the
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton talks during a press conference ing the contents of his ac- way to connect to fans." six years I have been here,
for the launch of the Mercedes-AMG F1 2018 car, at Silverstone counts. "We had already "So it will be a part of my I have not spoken to an-
racetrack, near Towcester, England, Thursday, Feb. 22, 2018. planned at the end of the life," the British driver add- other team and that shows
Associated Press year to start a clean slate, ed. "As to how deep I will how committed I am."q