Whereas David Américo Ortiz Arias, known to fans as Big Papi , was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on November 18, 1975; Whereas after graduating from Estudia Espaillat High School in the Dominican Republic in 1992, David Ortiz was signed by the Seattle Mariners; Whereas, on September 2, 1997, David Ortiz made his Major League Baseball debut for the Minnesota Twins at age 21; Whereas, on January 22, 2003, David Ortiz signed a free-agent contract with the Boston Red Sox; Whereas David Ortiz has created numerous iconic moments in Boston sports history, including— (1) on October 18, 2004, David Ortiz hit a walk-off home run in the 12th inning of Game 4 of the 2004 American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees to spark the Boston Red Sox’ improbable comeback from a three games to zero series deficit, the only time in MLB history a team has ever done so; (2) on October 19, 2004, David Ortiz hit a walk-off single in the 14th inning of Game 5 of the 2004 American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees to continue the Boston Red Sox’ comeback; and (3) on October 13, 2013, David Ortiz hit a grand slam to right-center field to tie Game 2 of the 2013 American League Championship Series against the Detroit Tigers; Whereas David Ortiz was instrumental in helping the Boston Red Sox snap their 86-year World Series drought; Whereas David Ortiz played a crucial role in the Boston Red Sox winning the World Series in 2007 and 2013; Whereas David Ortiz has won numerous awards for his baseball prowess, including— (1) the Edgar Martinez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award from the MLB in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2011, and 2013; (2) the League Championship Series Most Valuable Player Award from the MLB in 2004; (3) the Thomas A. Yawkey Most Valuable Player Award from the Boston Red Sox in 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2013; (4) the Silver Slugger Award as a designated hitter from the MLB in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2011, and 2013