Patience and Perseverance Pays Off for Eduardo Valencia
Friday, July 17, 2026
“We shall not grow weary of waiting upon God if we remember how long and how graciously He once waited for us.” – C.H. Spurgeon
Eduardo Valencia is not exactly a household name, even for the most avid baseball fans. He was born in Valencia, Venezuela (I’m not sure if there is a connection) on January 25, 2000
Eduardo signed with the Detroit Tigers as an international free agent in April 2018, after which he began an 8-year odyssey through the Tigers minor league system with stops in the Dominican Republic, Lakeland, FL Comstock Park MI, Erie PA, and Toledo OH. Altogether, Eduardo was promoted and demoted 16 different times over that 8-year span and overcame a series of injuries and operations including Tommy John surgery, hamstring pulls, and hand surgery.
According to Copilot, the average minor league career is 3-5 years and is over by the time a player reaches age 24. By then, he is usually promoted to the Major Leagues or released, so for Eduardo to spend eight full seasons in the minors was a definite exception to the rule.
However, his patience, perseverance, and determination finally paid off when Eduardo was called up by Detroit on July 9, 2026. Asked to pinch hit in the seventh inning, Eduardo did something extremely rare and extremely special – he launched a 425-foot home run into the centerfield bleachers, becoming only the 10th Tiger to hit a homer in his first MLB at-bat and the first Tiger pinch-hitter to homer in his first at-bat since Gates Brown in 1962.
Interviewed after the game, Eduardo broke down in tears, saying “This is for my family and Venezuela”. He also thanked his wife and coaches for their support and then embraced his wife in a long hug before his teammates gave him a “Gatorade shower”.
A catcher/first baseman, Eduardo has had nine at-bats since that first game and has recorded four more hits including his second hone run. His .500 batting average currently leads his team.
How cool is that?!?! And how cool is it that God sent His Son to “seek and to save that which was lost”, which included you and me… and waited until we were ready?
“The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 (BSB)
- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President
