Did you see?

Former Timber Rattler David Ortiz became a United States Citizen in Boston on June 11.

David Ortiz is a legendary slugger whose swing has made him an iconic part of the national pastime. But it was not until yesterday that the Dominican-born star of the Red Sox could call himself a US citizen.

Ortiz joined 226 immigrants from 57 countries as they raised their right hands and took the Oath of Citizenship at the John F. Kennedy Library in Dorchester.

"My whole family, kids, and everyone have been born here," Ortiz, who was born in 1975 in Santo Domingo, told reporters afterward. "It's a great country - proud to be here, now proud to be a part of it."

Ortiz's wife, American-born Tiffany, added: "It's a big deal for him. It's really important, and I'm really proud of him."

What was the scene like?

The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation held a private lunch before the ceremony in honor of Ortiz, said Brent Carney, spokesman for the library. On the other side of the building, the crowd of would-be citizens and their guests gathered without any indication that the Red Sox icon would soon fill the vacant, black chair marked "reserved' in the center of the front row.

"Everyone was wondering who the seat was for," said Chanthy Chea, 36 , of Lowell, who emigrated from Cambodia and became a US citizen yesterday. "And then I saw David Ortiz. I was like, 'Oh jeez, it's Big Papi.' "

Ortiz, 32, walked in the room to cheers and applause and sat with his wife and two of his children, Alexandra, 7, and D'Angelo, 3. His father, Americo Enrique Ortiz, and Larry Lucchino, Red Sox president, also attended.

Stan Grossfeld/Boston Globe photo