Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz took a swing at American citizenship and, as he so often does, connected.

One of the great clutch hitters in the game today was naturalized yesterday in a small ceremony in Dorchester.

From the BOSTON HERALD:

Ortiz was one of 227 immigrants who raised their right hands and took the Oath of Citizenship at the John F. Kennedy Library in Dorchester. The cast he has worn since partially tearing a tendon in his left hand did not stop him from clutching a small American flag as he spoke to a crush of reporters after the ceremony.

“My whole family, kids, and everyone have been born here,” Ortiz said. “It’s a great country, proud to be here, now proud to be a part of it.”

Ortiz’s wife, Tiffany, added: “It’s a big deal for him. It’s really important and I’m really proud of him.”

David and Tiffany, a Wisconsin native, live in a suburb of Boston with their three children. Ortiz, to no surprise, told the gathered media says he has no idea who he’ll vote for this November and did not endorse a candidate.

Case you’re wondering, becoming a citizen of the United States involves jumping through these hoops:

To become a naturalized United States citizen, one must be at least eighteen years of age…and have had a status of a legal permanent resident in the United States for five years less 90 days before they apply…during those 60 months if the legal permanent resident was outside of the U.S. for a continuous period of 6 months or more they are disqualified from naturalizing…They must be a “person of good moral character”, and must pass a test on United States history and government.

By making the effort to become a U.S. citizen, Ortiz gives one more reason for fans to love him - as there are no doubt many who admire him and still hate the Sox.

Plus, he only works half-days. Doesn’t get much more American than that.