Astros: Framber Valdez Fulfills Promise to his Hometown

Astros’ pitcher Framber Valdez fulfilled a 14-year promise to his community.

Before starting World Series games for the Houston Astros, Framber Valdez was just a kid with a dream from the Dominican Republic. While a pitcher that can strike emotion at any point in a ballgame, Valdez has shown heart for his team and also his community.

On Christmas Eve, the Major League Baseball Players Association released a story on Valdez fulfilling a promise in his hometown of Sabana Grande de Palenque in the Dominican Republic.

At a young age, Valdez began attending a local Christian church where he befriended his mentor, Pastor Antonio. The church lacked newness, while many chairs, music sheets and floors were damaged.

Valdez promised his Pastor that he would reach the major leagues, and when he did, he would return to his hometown and build a new church for him and their community. The 28-year-old has done just that this winter.

Each day this offseason, Valdez, along with the guidance of his father, helps construct a new church for Pastor Antonio. His father runs his own construction company that is aiding in the development of the 1,500-square foot structure, which can hold approximately 50 parishioners.

"“I don’t get emotional because the community praises me,’’ Valdez said in a video interview with the MLBPA. “I get emotional because it’s me who is doing this. I’m getting to complete a dream very few people have the opportunity to do.’’"

Valdez hopes to have the church finished before the new year. He has put roughly $100,000 into the project, but Valdez cares more about fulfilling the promise he made years ago. The Astros’ hurler has become a well-known name in the Houston community, while he starts to give back to the one that got him to the major leagues.

Valdez, later, was spotted playing the drums at the church, when he opened it on Dec. 30.