Red Sox Features On wbztv.com
Jun 11, 2008 5:16 pm US/Eastern
David Ortiz Becomes An American Citizen
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
David Ortiz is an America citizen. The Red Sox slugger was one of the hundreds of people that took the oath of American citizenship at the JFK Library on Wednesday.
Ortiz, 32, was born in the Dominican Republic and made his major league debut in 1997. He joined the Red Sox in 2003.
Ortiz held an American flag in one hand, and recited the Pledge of Allegiance with 220 other new citizens. "It's great to be part of the American family," he said. "My whole family, my kids were born here and this is (a) great county… Proud to be a part of it."
Red Sox CEO Larry Lucchino was also at the ceremony to support the slugger. "Both here and in the Dominican Republic, he is the personification of what a great citizen should be."
Ortiz is currently on the 15-day disabled list with a partially torn tendon in his left wrist. He hurt his wrist when he swung at a pitch during a game against the Orioles earlier this month.
Ortiz's wife, kids and father, Americo, were at today's ceremony.
(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
