Prayers go up and blessings come down.
That mantra for Ralph Henriquez Jr. parallels his eight-year career in professional baseball.
He’s been up — as far as Tacoma, the Seattle Mariners’ AAA affiliate in the Pacific Coast League — and been down — to Greeneville, Tenn., the Houston Astros’ rookie team in the Appalachian League.
He’s played for teams in Class A, Class A-Advanced and with the Jackson Generals, Seattle’s AA Southern League team.
Through it all, Henriquez has “leaned on God for everything.”
“You name it,” said Henriquez, now a catcher for the Long Island Ducks, an independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball team he signed with before the 2013 season.
“There is not a day that goes by that I don’t open a Bible or don’t say a prayer. I lean on God to get by every single day. I try to learn about the good Lord and get closer to God.”
Drafted in the second round out of Key West High School in 2005 by the Astros, Henriquez, 26, has played for the New York Mets organization along with Seattle. In 2012 Henriquez, a switch hitter, had three home runs, nine doubles and 19 RBIs in 50 games with Tacoma and Jackson.
He spent most of the 2011 season in Tacoma learning from former major leaguers.
“Guys are more experienced,” he said. “Guys are trying to get back. They know how to play.”
Part of God’s plan
While Henriquez was discouraged when his assignment sent him from AAA to AA, he said it was all part of God’s plan.
“Everything happens for a reason, and you just got to know that His plan is the best plan,” he said. “I feel like God’s ways are better than the world’s ways.”
The more Henriquez saturated himself in his faith, the more he wanted to separate himself from the world.
“I realized the life I wanted to live,” he said. “I try to live a life that is acceptable to God. I feel like every day is a challenge, especially in this environment. I feel like you get tested, and the devil tries to tempt you with something else. That’s the part that you’ve got to separate yourself, be strong and have faith. With everything there are sacrifices. That is part of separating too. You can’t do what everybody is doing.”
He abstains from alcohol and is motivated by Scripture, including John 3:16 and Philippians 4:13.
“Without God in your life, it is hard,” Henriquez said. “Once you come to understand what the Bible is about and how it says to go about things, it changes life in a whole new perspective. It makes you realize the good, the bad and the ugly. The more faith I have, the more I trust in Him and easier things will be.”
As he discusses faith with teammates, former Generals teammate Nate Tenbrink, a third baseman for Tacoma, notices Henriquez’s walk matches his talk.
“He is really into his faith,” Tenbrink said. “That is a good quality to have. He trusts all his ability to God, and I think a lot of us do. He really rubs off on a bunch of us in this clubhouse.”
Tim Tebow is a spiritual role model for Henriquez, who has seen the way Tebow, a former University of Florida quarterback and now a New England Patriots quarterback, helps people and changes lives.
On Sundays Henriquez attends church and baseball chapel. He was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Key West and heard athletes’ testimonies of what helped them to become grounded in their faith.
Henriquez was led to Christ by his father, Ralph Henriquez Sr., and mother, Denise Henriquez. Henriquez Sr., who coached Henriquez Jr. in high school, also coached with the Atlanta Braves and Mets and played for the Cleveland Indians. Ralfael Henriquez, the late grandfather of Henriquez Jr., was a catcher for the Indians.
Being a catcher, Henriquez Jr. has to handle 13 pitchers.
“They all have to trust you when you put down the right signs and run a game,” he said.
Tenbrink said, “Baseball is confidence. Every time he gets that opportunity to play, he plays to his full potential. He is a team player. He is a leader, on the field and in the clubhouse. Everybody likes being around him.”
Henriquez, who is most proud of his high-round draft selection, said he tries to learn something new and get better every day.
As is the case with so many players who have gone through the ups and downs of the minor leagues, Henriquez’s goal is to reach the majors. God is his inspiration to get there.
“I love God,” he said. “All the glory goes to Him, and the blessings are coming from Him. Being a Christian sets everything. It leads you. Having faith is knowing that God can provide. Everything is possible with God. Nothing is impossible with Him. I try to keep going every day and know the opportunity will come.”
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