CLEVELAND, Ohio — Carlos Santana plays ball in front of tens of thousands of people for six months out of the year. Seven months if the Cleveland Indians make the playoffs.

On Friday he admitted he was a little nervous to take the oath to become a U.S. citizen, in a ceremony that, while in front of a much smaller crowd, was just as important. His nervousness dissipated by the time it was over.

“I’m an American boy now,” the 33-year-old first baseman said.

Santana, an immigrant from the Dominican Republic, was one of 84 people sworn in during a ceremony at the Carl B. Stokes U.S. Courthouse in downtown Cleveland.

After taking the oath, the first baseman, his wife, daughters, son and friends waited in the front row as court staff called one person after another to pick up their certificate and shake U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas Parker’s hand. All the while, his young daughters crawled and cried, often vying for his or his wife’s attention.

The staff called him last. The polite applause given to everybody else as they were called up was a little louder for Santana.

When it was over, he and his family posed for a photo with the American flag. He said he felt great.

Naturalization ceremonies are generally held twice a month in Cleveland. The federal courthouse is always abuzz with new citizens and their loved ones on those days.

But besides a famous ballplayer’s attendance and the attention that came with it, Friday morning’s ceremony proceeded as normal.

Parker spoke to the audience about how issues surrounding immigration have become divisive in the U.S. However, he said that Friday was a celebration.

“If you listen to all the public discourse and controversy about the subject of immigration, you’ll find that there is no controversy whatsoever about what you are doing here today,” Parker told the crowd. “This is a day we celebrate.”

He later said that the U.S. “becomes a stronger nation because you will be added as citizens” and encouraged people to register to vote and, if called upon, serve on a jury.

The judge did, however, note the famous ballplayer in attendance.

The ceremony happened after Santana returned to Cleveland followed a series of road games. The Tribe was set to play against the Atlanta Braves at Progressive Field on Friday night, though the game was postponed because of rain.

“I hope I can get a home run for this special day today,” Santana said.

Cleveland.com reported April 5 that both Santana and designated hitter Hanley Ramirez passed their citizenship tests around the same time. Indians Manager Terry Francona said both men put in long hours to prepare for the test.

Ramirez, also from the Dominican Republic, was sworn in April 8 in Miami, Indians spokesman Bart Swain said.

After the ceremony, Santana and his family took a picture with the judge. He also posed for photos when people approached him.

“My girlfriend loves baseball,” said Jay Tran, a Brooklyn resident and native of Vietnam who was also sworn-in as a U.S. citizen during the same ceremony. He had a cleveland.com reporter snap a photo of them together.

Santana thanked Cleveland after the ceremony and said the ceremony was important for his family. He said his wife is from the U.S.

“I was really scared when I came here,” he said, “but now everything is positive and I’m happy and excited.”