Baseball-World Series MVP David Ortiz
Oct 30 (Reuters) - Profile of Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz, who was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2013 World Series. Born: Nov. 18, 1975 in Dominican Republic (age 37) Bats and throws left-handed Signed by the Seattle Mariners in 1992 then traded to the Minnesota Twins in 1996 Nicknamed 'Big Papi,' he made his Major League debut in 1997 and spent several years back and forth between the Twins and the minor league. He was released by Minnesota at the end of the 2002 season then signed with the Red Sox in 2003 as a free agent. In 2004, he helped the Red Sox win their first World Series since 1918, hitting 41 home runs during the regular season and five more in the playoffs. He was picked as an All-Star for the first time that season and also won the first of his five Silver Slugger awards. In 2005, he won the Hank Aaron award as the top hitter in the American league and in 2006 he set a record for the Red Sox for the most homes runs in a season with 54. In 2007, Ortiz helped the Red Sox win another World Series. Despite suffering several injuries, Ortiz has continued to star at the plate and currently holds the MLB record for the most home runs, RBIs and hits by a designated hitter. During the 2013 season, Ortiz was selected for the All-Stars for the ninth time. He blasted 30 homes runs and 130 RBIs during the regular season. In the American League Champiosnhjip Series, he hit a grand slam in Game 2 against the Detroit Tigers. In the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals, he homered in Games 1 and 2 and batted .688 in Boston's 4-2 Fall Classic win. (Compiled by Julian Linden; Editing by Frank Pingue)
