David Américo Ortiz Arias (born November 18, 1975 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) is a Major League Baseball designated hitter who has played for the Boston Red Sox since 2003. Previously, Ortiz played for the Minnesota Twins (1997-2002). Nicknamed “Big Papi,” Ortiz is a five-time All-Star and holds the Red Sox single-season record for home runs with 54, set during the 2006 season. “Big Papi” is 6′4″ and weighs 230 pounds.

David Ortiz graduated from Edudia Espallat High School in the Dominican Republic and in 1992 he was signed by the Seattle Mariners. He made his debut in September 1997.

In 2002, Ortiz hit .272 for Minnesota, with 20 home runs and 75 RBIs. The Twins advanced to the American League Championship Series that year, where they lost to the Anaheim Angels. In six seasons with the Twins, Ortiz hit 58 homers.

In 2004, Ortiz played a major role in leading the Red Sox to their first World Series championship in 86 years. This was Ortiz’s second year with the Red Sox and his first year as their full-time designated hitter. During the season, Ortiz was voted onto the All-Star team for the first time in his career, as he batted .301 with 41 home runs and 139 RBI. In the playoffs, Ortiz hit .400 with 5 home runs and 19 RBI. His post-season heroics earned him MVP honors for the ALCS.

In 2005 Ortiz set a new career high of 47 home runs. He also led the American League in RBI with 148, and his 47 homers were second in the AL.

In 2006 Ortiz belted 54 home runs (setting a new Red Sox record) and had 137 RBI, while batting .287 with an OPS of 1.049. He led the American League in both HR and RBI, winning the HR crown by 10 over the 2nd place finisher Jermaine Dye.

In 2007, Ortiz once again was a major force as he helped lead the Red Sox to their seventh World Series title. Despite playing the entire season with a torn meniscus in his right knee as well as nagging injuries to his shoulder and quadriceps, he finished the year hitting .332 with 35 home runs and 117 RBI. In addition, he hit 52 doubles, led the American League in extra base hits and had an OPS of 1.066. In the postseason Ortiz batted .370 with 3 home runs and 10 RBI.

Each time Ortiz crosses the plate after hitting a home run, he looks up and points both index fingers to the sky in tribute to his mother Angela Rosa Arias, who died in a car crash in January 2002 at the age of 46. Ortiz also has a tattoo of his mother on his biceps.

Ortiz and his wife Tiffany have three children, Jessica (born October 23, 1996), Alexandra (born March 22, 2001) and D’Angelo (born July 10, 2004).

The David Ortiz Children’s Fund was founded in 2007 to support a range of causes that David believes in. David Ortiz released his own Charity Wine label in 2008 with all the proceeds going to the David Ortiz Children’s Fund.

Awards and Distinctions:
2 World Series Championships (2004, 2007)
5-time All-Star (2004-2008)
2005 Hank Aaron Award winner
4-time winner of the Silver Slugger Award (2004-2007)
5-time winner of the Edgar Martínez Award (2003-2007)
American League Championship Series MVP (2004)
Led the American League in Home Runs (2006)
Led the American League in Runs Batted In (2005, 2006)
5 straight seasons of at least 30 HR and 100 RBI (2003-2007)