Dominican Republic native and Boston Red Sox designated hitter David "Big Papi" Ortiz in gaining attentions after leading the Red Sox in their third World Series title with a 6-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 6 on Oct. 30. The World Series win marks the first victory at Fenway Park since 1918, earning the title in the hometown for the first time in 95 years.

Ortiz, 37, was named this year's MVP, winning the title for the first time after earning a place in the top five ranking five times in previous years, the title designated by American League MVP voting. He showed stellar leadership throughout the World Series. One moment where that was apparent was during Game 4, when Ortiz rallied his team and encouraged them toward victory with a rousing pep talk. Ortiz's teammate Johnny Gomes called the speech "powerful," and team won that game, 4-2.

The latest MVP dedicated the Red Sox win to the city of Boston, exclaiming, "This is for you, you deserve this," as the sold out crowd of 38,4447 chanted "M-V-P! M-V-P!" while he held his trophy high.

Big Papi listed details of his baseball beginnings in his autobiography, Big Papi: My Story of Big Dreams and Big Hits. He explained how he spent his childhood in Santo Dominigo, there baseball became his passion. He would utilize whatever items were available to him in order to practice, including broomsticks and the heads of his sister's dolls.

Other notable Latino MVPs are Colombian Edgar Renteria, Cuban Livan Hernadez, and Dominican-American Manny Ramirez.