David Ortiz

David Ortiz is a Dominican-American professional baseball designated hitter

David Américo Ortiz Arias (born November 18, 1975), nicknamed "Big Papi," is a Dominican-American former professional baseball designated hitter (DH) and occasional first baseman who played 20 Major League Baseball (MLB) seasons, primarily with the Boston Red Sox. He also played for the Minnesota Twins. During his 14 seasons with the Red Sox, he was a ten-time All-Star, a three-time World Series champion, and seven-time Silver Slugger winner. Ortiz also holds the Red Sox single-season record for home runs with 54, which he set during the 2006 season.

Originally signed by the Seattle Mariners in 1992, Ortiz was traded to the Twins in 1996 and played six seasons with the team. Ortiz was released by the Twins and signed with the Boston Red Sox in 2003, where he spent the remainder of his career. In Boston, Ortiz established himself as one of the most powerful sluggers of all time. He was instrumental in the team ending its 86-year World Series championship drought in 2004, as well as during successful championship runs in 2007 and 2013, and was named MVP of the latter. Ortiz also has the highest career batting average in World Series play at .455.

Ortiz's strong play in his final season was enough to get the Red Sox into the postseason, but a first round sweep at the hands of the Cleveland Indians in the American League Division Series ended the Red Sox season on October 10. Following the loss at Fenway Park, Ortiz came out and saluted the Boston fans in a tearful goodbye before leaving the field.

On October 26, Major League Baseball announced that Ortiz had won his second Hank Aaron Award as the outstanding offensive player in the American League. He was the 2016 Esurance MLB/This Year in Baseball Award winner for Best Hitter, his third time.In addition, Ortiz also placed sixth in voting for 2016 AL MVP

In October 2009, Ortiz opened a night club called "Forty-Forty" in his native Dominican Republic. In April 2010, rapper and producer Jay-Z and his business partner Juan Perez sued Ortiz for trademark infringement, alleging that the name of Ortiz's night club was stolen from Jay-Z's chain of sports clubs in New York. In March 2011, Ortiz reached a settlement deal with Jay-Z and Perez.

Ortiz's daughter, Alex Ortiz, sang the national anthem before the 2016 Boston Red Sox home opener on April 11, 2016.

On May 21, 2017, Ortiz received an honorary degree at a Boston University commencement.