Tigers' Valencia honors Venezuela after HR in 1st MLB at-bat - ESPN

DETROIT — Eduardo Valencia made some history for the Detroit Tigers, got emotional while thanking his family and home country of earthquake-rocked Venezuela and then celebrated after the game with a hug from his wife on the field.

The 26-year-old catcher became the 10th Detroit player to homer in his first career plate appearance, helping the Tigers to a 4-1 victory over the Athletics on Thursday night that completed a series sweep.

«I was waiting a lot for this, for my family, for Venezuela, and I'm so excited,» Valencia said as his voice cracked and he fought back tears during an on-field interview on the Tigers' broadcast after the game.

Valencia was called up from Triple-A Toledo earlier in the day with All-Star catcher Dillon Dingler recovering from a bruised right hand. Valencia entered as a pinch hitter for Kerry Carpenter in the seventh inning against Hogan Harris and sent a 425-foot shot to center to cap the scoring for Detroit.

«I was just thinking, like, I was trying to hit [with] contact,» Valencia said. «Get a good pitch, just be the most calm that I can do it. I was so excited.»

He's the first Tigers player to homer in his first big league at-bat since Akil Baddoo on April 4, 2021.

The native of Valencia, Venezuela, pointed to the sky and pounded his chest as he rounded the bases with a huge smile, then pointed to his wife in the stands and made a heart symbol with his hands. He gave her a big hug after the game.

Valencia's thoughts were also with his parents, who couldn't make the trip to see his debut, and the people of Venezuela, who are recovering from a rare double earthquake on June 24 that killed at least 920 and injured another 3,360, authorities said. Many more are feared dead.

«This is for all