Astros pitcher Framber Valdez fulfills promise to build church in hometown

After a breakout 2021 season, Houston Astros pitcher Framber Valdez is spending the winter making good on a promise to build a church in his hometown in the Dominican Republic.

“I had always asked God to continue helping and blessing me, and in return I would build a church in Guayacanes for Pastor Antonio,’’ Valdez told the MLBPA in a Spanish-language interview.

At age 14, Valdez began attending the church, which was in bad shape and made a promise that he would some day reach the major leagues and help Pastor Antonio.

“Right now, I’m fulfilling this goal. I’m very focused on two things – my career and building this church," Valdez said.

The 28-year-old lefty went 11-6 with a 3.14 ERA, helping the Astros reach the World Series for the third time in five years.

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Valdez is intimately involved in the church's construction and will have spent about 2 million Dominican Pesos (around $100,000) of his own money on the 1,500-square-foot structure with room for 50. He hopes the church opens by the new year.

“People do this for profit and for business,’’ Valdez said. “I only ask God for good health and blessings for me and my family. I haven’t made a deal with God, ‘If I build you this church, you give me this,’ because I don’t like that. I don’t like feeling like this is a business deal. I’m doing this because I made a promise.’’