Peligro Sports NYC Feature Spotlight: David "Big Papi" Ortiz

David Ortiz, with former teammate Pedro Martinez, October 2013. Photo credit: David J. Phillip/Associated Press

Peligro Sports NYC Featured Player: David "Big Papi" Ortiz

by: Z. Speas
Featured Contributer



Photo Credit: AP/Michael Dwyer

Continuing a tradition of support and pride for the baseball universe in New York City and the Dominican Republic, Peligro Sports NYC congratulates David Ortiz for his continued success in the world of Major League Baseball and beyond. In recognition of the strides Ortiz has accomplished inside and out of the ballpark, Peligro Sports NYC is proud to present a spotlight feature in their blog designed to give a closer look into the career of one of the Dominican Republic's most celebrated sons.

David Ortiz, who celebrated his November 18th birthday just a couple days ago, was born in Santo Domingo in 1975. Nicknamed "Big Papi" by his fellow players upon first joining his team, Ortiz currently plays as a Major League Baseball designated hitter with the Boston Red Sox. In an interview with IGN Sports, David Ortiz explained the nickname's history.

"I just called you Papi a little while ago. When I don't know someone's name, and I'm bad at remembering people's names, that's what I call them, so that's what they started calling me. It's a good excuse, a good way to be friendly to people even though you can't remember their names," said Ortiz jokingly.

Photo Credit: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Thanks to Big Papi's contribution this season, his Boston Red Sox swept the MLB World Series this year, finishing up the season with a score of 6 games to 1 against the St. Louis Cardinals. David Ortiz, now a three-time world champion of Major League Baseball was touted "Most Valuable Papi" by teammates, Boston fans across the world and the 2013 World Series MVP after batting .688 with two homers and six RBIs.

"I can't add anything more to the legend that's already there," general manager Ben Cherington said. "He keeps writing more chapters on his own."

Beyond a stellar player performance record with the 2013 season, Ortiz has maintained a history of hardcore sportsmanship and legend, as his GM calls it, since his initiating his career with the Minnesota Twins in 1997.

He's accumulated over 431 career home runs, which ranks him 45th on the MLB all-time home run list, and became the League's all-time RBI leader by a designated hitter in 2011, hitting his 1000th RBI with the Red Sox in the same year. David Ortiz is committed to his team and his city of Boston, Massachusetts.

David Ortiz, "World Series Heroes of the 2000s"; Photo Credit: Photo: Al Tielemans/SI

I'll tell you what's so much fun...the people in Boston, they give you a lot of support. Sometimes you just don't feel the same everyday, it doesn't matter what you do, but when you have people looking forward to seeing you perform for them, that puts you in the mood, and that's natural in Boston. That's why it's such a special place to play," said David Ortiz of his team.

Supporters of David Ortiz and the Boston Red Sox can find the answer to all their fan regalia needs at Peligro Sports NYC, which stocks MLB t-shirts, jerseys, caps, and more. Click the link for more information and check back at the Peligro Sports NYC blog for new feature spotlights and memorabilia/sports goods news!