Carlos Correa gets a surprise visit from friend battling cancer

Carlos Correa was treated to a very special surprise Sunday when a friend of his showed up for a visit out of the blue. That friend was Neil Kerrigan, an 18-year-old Houston Astros fan who is battling a brain tumor.

Kerrigan and Correa have been friends since last September, when Kerrigan was at Minute Maid Park celebrating his birthday. He watched batting practice, and afterward the two struck up a conversation. After finding out when Kerrigan’s real birthday was, Correa decided to give him a real surprise. He bought a cake and personally delivered it to Houston Christian High School, where Kerrigan is a senior.

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Since turnabout is fair play, it was Kerrigan’s turn to surprise Correa, which he definitely did. Correa had given Kerrigan a jersey the last time he visited, and this time gave Kerrigan his hat. Later on, he went back and gave one of the younger members of the Kerrigan clan a glove. Neil is grateful for the support of a player like Correa, and he’s thrilled to be able to share their relationship.

“It was so much fun,” Kerrigan said. “I had met him before, but it was fun to see him with my family and for them to get a chance to meet him.”

The admiration flows in both directions, as Correa finds Kerrigan’s battle with cancer inspiring.

“It’s real inspiring,” Correa said. “It makes you appreciate things a lot more. I feel like God has put me here for a purpose and I feel like I can impact people in a positive way, and I feel like that’s what I’m going to do my entire career.”

Best wishes to Neil Kerrigan as he continues to battle cancer. If Carlos Correa has anything to say about it, it’s a battle he’ll win.

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