Boston Red Sox

Watch: Dominican Republic native Enmanuel Valdez hits home run in Santo Domingo for Red Sox

"It's just an unbelievable experience," Valdez said postgame.

Enmanuel Valdez is a native of San Juan de la Maguana, Dominican Republic. Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images

The Red Sox’s Enmanuel Valdez helped kick off MLB’s 2024 World Tour in the Dominican Republic with a big swing on Saturday.

Valdez, a native of San Juan de la Maguana, hit a solo home run in the top of the sixth inning at Santo Domingo’s Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal.

The 25-year-old infielder put Boston up 4-0, sealing the game with his homer on his home soil in the first contest of the two-game set.

The Red Sox’s Spanish-language radio broadcaster, Nilson Pepen, had the call for WAMG 890 AM (Boston).

After the game, Valdez talked to reporters about what his latest home run meant to him.

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“It’s something that’s unforgettable,” Valdez said of accomplishing the feat in front of his family and friends. “It’s just an unbelievable experience.”

Valdez is one of many Dominican-born players for Boston returning home this weekend. Brayan Bello, who signed a six-year, $55 million contract extension with the Red Sox on Thursday, held his press conference in the D.R. in front of family and friends Saturday. Bello is a native of Samana.

Pablo Reyes, Joely Rodriguez, and Rafael Devers are among other Dominican-born players for Boston enjoying time in their home country this weekend.

Devers, a Sanchez native, was able to play in front of his grandparents for the first time as a Red Sox on Saturday.

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