By Alfonzo Beal Latino Sports -  Red Sox Superstar David Ortiz was awarded the 2005 A.L. LatinoMVP Award for his 2005 season performance with the Boston Red Sox yesterday in Boston.

The LatinoMVP awards, now in its 17th year have become the most prestigious award given to Latino baseball players. The event took place at a special luncheon at the EMC Club in Fenway Park yesterday, Wednesday, September 20th.

Boston Red Sox Superstar, David "Big Papi" Ortiz, who prior to yesterday’s game led the American League in home runs with 49 and RBI with 129, belted his 50th homer after he was awarded the prestigious LatinoMVP AL Most Valuable Player award yesterday at a special luncheon at the luxurious EMC Stadium Club overlooking the Fenway Park outfield.

Approximately 100 community leaders, business representatives and several elected officials were elated to celebrate "Hispanic Heritage Month" with such a celebrated superstar in a historic event. This was the first time that the prestigious award ceremony was held outside of New York City. It was the first time that many had been to the EMC Club for a Latino event and it was the first time that the EMC Club had prepared Caribbean style rice, beans and chicken (the food was good).

Alberto Vasallo, Editor of Boston's El Mundo newspaper was the event emcee and set the event in motion with a few words explaining the value of this award that has been giving recognition to the best Latino players for the last 17 years.

Julio Pabón, President of Latino Sports and founder of the Latino Sports Writers & Broadcasters Association (LSWBA) made a brief presentation touching on the history of the awards and the respect that the Latino community must continue to exert at all levels. He also encouraged corporate leaders to pursue marketing strategies that respect out community and that can make a difference. He reminded everyone that while the media continues to hype that the Latino community is the fastest growing with a consumer purchasing closely approaching 1 Billion; our community continues to be one of the poorest in the nation.

The award, sponsored by the Latino Sports Writers & Broadcasters Association (LSWBA), is voted on by over 50 sports writers and broadcasters catering to the Latino community throughout North America, South America and the Caribbean, and is considered to be one of the most prestigious awards given exclusively to Latino
athletes in professional sports.

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