BOSTON (AP) -Big Papi has found a new nation to call home.
David Ortiz, the pride of Red Sox Nation, became a U.S. citizen Wednesday with 220 other immigrants from 57 countries at a ceremony at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library.
The 32-year-old slugger from the Dominican Republic posed for photographs and shook the hands of many other new citizens and their families before the ceremony.
“It’s a great country. I’m proud to be here,” said Ortiz, who wore a pinstriped suit and his signature dark sunglasses. He said he was eager “to be part of the American family.”
During the 40-minute naturalization ceremony, Ortiz took the oath of citizenship and held a small flag as he read from a card the Pledge of Allegiance with the other new citizens. He sat in the front row with his wife, daughter and his young son, D’Angelo, who was wearing a suit nearly identical to his father’s.
U.S. District Judge Nathaniel Gorton, who administered the oath, spoke of the importance of the pledge – noting that each night at Fenway Park everyone from hot dog vendors to Red Sox heroes are asked to take a minute to recite it.
Ortiz has been with the Red Sox since 2003, helping to power them to two World Series championships in the past four years. He has been out of the Red Sox lineup since June 1 with an injured wrist.
Ortiz’s father, Americo Ortiz, said in Spanish after the ceremony he was proud of his son and that it was an important day for his family. Tiffany Ortiz said her husband was excited to officially become a citizen. “It’s a huge honor,” she said.
“He is the personification of what a great citizen should be,” said Red Sox president Larry Lucchino, who also attended the ceremony. “He’s the heart and soul of Red Sox Nation.”
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