The FenwayNation Editorial Board has named David Ortiz their
FenwayNation First Citizen Of 2012. The Red Sox Designated Hitter was cited for his numerous charitable endeavors including 'The David Ortiz Children's Fund' and the 'Pap's Pals' ticket program. Big Papi's involvement in the Children's Fund helps children in the Dominican Republic and the Northeastern United States gain access to pediatric critical care. The David Ortiz Celebrity Golf Classic raises money for the Fund. Ortiz started the Pap's Pals ticket program in 2009, which allows children from Massachusetts General Hospital for Children to meet David and enjoy a game at Fenway Park. For all of these and many other efforts in the community, we are proud to name Big Papi our First Citizen.
FenwayNation started the
First Citizen Award in 2005, when it presented the inaugural honor to Bill Mueller. In subsequent years, the award went to Tim Wakefield (2006), Curt Schilling (2007), Mike Timlin (2008), Kevin Youkilis (2009), Mike Lowell (2010) and Josh Beckett (2011).
