SANTO DOMINGO.- The official exaltation of David Ortiz this Sunday to the Cooperstown Hall of Fame fills the family of the Chosen Baseball Club with joy.
The Board of Directors of the Lions of the Chosen congratulated “Big Papi” for achieving immortality and urged all Quisqueyans to celebrate the event.
“David is a source of pride for all Dominicans and for baseball in general, not only for what he meant on the field, but also for his contributions outside of it, helping those in need, especially children,” highlighted the Board of Directors of the club through a press office.
“For us it is an example of discipline, leadership, passion and dedication. We are very happy for him, for his family and for the country.”
The Lions team is preparing a series of activities to celebrate Ortiz’s exaltation, which will take place during the 2022-23 season of the Dominican Republic Professional Baseball League that will begin on October 15.
Ortiz, who played with the Lions between 1994 and 2006, became the second legend of the Chosen One to reach the temple of Cooperstown, New York. The first was Juan Marichal at the 1983 ceremony.
With David and Marichal there are four Dominicans in the Hall of Fame of the United States, where there are also the plaques of Pedro Martínez (2015) and Vladimir Guerrero (2018).
In his career with the Chosen One, Ortiz won the Most Valuable Player award in the 1999-00 tournament, accumulated 24 home runs in the Regular Series and 18 in the postseason. He is the long-haired all-time leader with 14 homers and 70 RBIs in the Round Robin.
In his 20-year major league career with the Minnesota Twins and Boston Red Sox, Ortiz hit 541 homers, drove in 1,768, scored 1,419, had 2,472 hits and 632 doubles, along with a .286/. 380/.552.
He also attended 10 All-Star games, won 7 Silver Sluggers and was a three-time World Series champion with Boston, earning the MVP award in the 2013 Fall Classic.
