Papi dishes on Roman, Sox rejuvenation, A-Rod/Jeter, charity

This story was excerpted from Ian Browne’s Red Sox Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

BOSTON – Last weekend, as David Ortiz hosted his annual Celebrity Golf Classic in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., the gregarious Hall of Famer took some time to speak on a variety of topics with MLB.com, including his enthusiasm for Roman Anthony, his optimism about what is ahead for his Red Sox, the importance of his charity work and what it is like to work with former rivals Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter on FOX pre- and postgame shows during the MLB postseason.

The David Ortiz Children’s Fund had raised $1.5 million from this year’s event as of Monday, with the money going to children who need open heart surgery.

It has been over nine years since Ortiz last took a swing in the Major Leagues, but he remains passionate about baseball, and especially the Red Sox.

Here are some highlights from our conversation.

MLB.com: What was it like watching Roman Anthony impact the Red Sox so quickly in his rookie season?

Ortiz: It was fun. How old is he now, 21? Come on, man. He brought too much to the table just for being 21, you know what I’m saying? The talent is just unquestionable. Plus, he has the maturity. To be 21 and be that caliber of player, that’s a plus. His confidence level is pretty high. He is a guy that you want to build an organization around, without question.”

MLB.com: As someone this organization was once built around, it sounds like you think he is the one you can build it around going forward?

Ortiz: Oh yeah, the Red Sox are not famous for giving big deals to young players that early. I think the last couple of years they have been breaking the seal. I think it was a wonderful move just signing him right away. So now he just had to worry about coming to the field and being ready to [kick butt].

MLB.com: Have you had a chance to talk to him at all?

Ortiz: Yeah, he’s here at my tournament this weekend. Great kid. I love where we’re at with him, I really do.

MLB.com: I know the Red Sox had three tough years where they were mired in mediocrity. How gratifying was it to see them reverse that trend this year, and how bright is the future in Boston?

Ortiz: The Red Sox look good. We had a couple of bad injuries this past season. We lost Raffy [Devers] with the trade, and we still came through. [Alex] Bregman, he lost some time based on his injury. And we lost Roman towards the end, and we still represented. So I think that with a couple [more bats] in our lineup, we’ll be in great shape. There's a couple of good free agents out there.

MLB.com: How important is keeping Alex Bregman?

Ortiz: Hopefully the Red Sox get into an agreement with Bregman. Bregman is a good leader, a good player. He brought so much to the table. He's a winner, and those are the type of players that you need to build around, a guy like him. So hopefully we bring him back, and if we can go for one of those big-time DHs out there, why not?

MLB.com: For the kind of player you are talking about, Kyle Schwarber and Pete Alonso seem to be the most noteworthy on the free agent market. Is that the kind of player you’re talking about?

Ortiz: Yeah, one of those big boys. That would be great.

MLB.com: If the Red Sox can add some pop to the offense and get another stud pitcher to pair with Garrett Crochet, do they vault to elite contender status?

Ortiz: Why not? It’s not a secret for anyone to know what position we are at. We're not too far away from facing a World Series based on what I saw this year. We’ve got Trevor Story healthy again, and I can’t wait to see Roman Anthony have a full season.

MLB.com: Anyone who watches the FOX pre- and postgame shows during the postseason can tell how much fun you are having with Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez. Is that accurate?

Ortiz: So much fun. We’ve come to be really good friends. Well, I’ve known A-Rod more than I’ve known Jeter. But Jeter is a class A guy. He’s very respectful. I love being around him and A-Rod. We just fill each other with information. We’ve got each other’s backs out there, and they’re really good teammates, to be honest with you. And you know me, I like to get out of my comfort zone and just BS with people. So I think we had the perfect bond. And don’t forget we won an Emmy.

MLB.com: After playing against those guys for so long, what’s it like being on their team?

Ortiz: Jeter told me the other day, “I'm so happy that I didn't know you this well when we played. I was like, “Why?” He said, “Because I wouldn't have been able to focus on the field. Knowing you that well, it would be challenging.” Those guys are great.

MLB.com: What is most gratifying to you about the David Ortiz Children’s Fund?

Ortiz: It’s all about the kids. That’s what we’re about. Putting children in better shape, getting them the opportunity. I think every child deserves the opportunity to live, and what we do here is based on that, is based on giving back, is based on doing the right thing, based on believing in God, you know what I'm saying, and we’re more than proud of doing this.