Q&A with Big Papi

Ian Browne: How much do you appreciate how much your teammates and the fans have supported you this year? How much easier has that made this season so far?

David Ortiz: Good. That's what we've been doing throughout the years. We support each other and make sure, you know, we stay positive about things. The fans have always been good to me. That's why I try to get it done. I always have the fans clicking in my head every time I come to the field. They are what gets you going.

IB: How do you feel about all the brand new baseball stadiums popping up, when the Red Sox continue to keep historic Fenway the home of the Red Sox?

DO: I'm always going to love Fenway. That's always going to be home, you know? Fenway is always going to be the place that you always want to be, playing for the Red Sox. I'll take Fenway over anywhere.

IB: What was the difference when you came to Boston that enabled you to have so many great years?

DO: When I got to Boston, I was barely walking into my prime. On top of that, I think experience, you get to learn more about the game. And playing in a big city and fans love that love the game, that makes a big difference.

IB: I heard you like to cook. What are some of your favorite dishes to prepare?

DO: Man, I love to cook, love to barbecue ... lots of chicken, hot sauce. I actually just came out with a new hot sauce, Big Papi En Fuego ... you need to try it.

IB: What is your offseason training regimen like?

DO: Everything. I work out, lift and do a lot of cardio and things like that to stay in shape. I don't want to come into the season overweight because then I'd start to get in trouble.

IB: Where do you spend your offseason?

DO: I go back and forth between Boston and the Dominican. I like to be in my country.

IB: Why do you think you've been so consistently successful in the biggest moments during the biggest games?

DO: I don't know. I guess I never think about it. I just go ahead and let it go. When you think about it, it puts more pressure on you.

IB: Of all the big hits you've had in Boston, which one sticks out most prominently in your memory and why?

DO: Probably in 2004 when we won the World Series for the first time in 86 years, I had a few good ones right there - walkoff hits against the Angels and the Yankees. Those got us going.

IB: What is it like playing for the Red Sox? How would you describe your relationship with Red Sox fans?

DO: I've been here for so long and the fans, I think, when they don't get to hear too many controversies from you ... This is what I think. When a guy is building up good things and you never hear of the guy giving anyone a headache or anyone is saying bad things about you, people do nothing but hear good things about that person, I guess that gets in people's head. That keeps them on your good side. That's what has happened between me and these fans. One thing they know is that I'm a guy that tries all the time. It's not like I give up. On top of that, through the years, I've tried to build that relationship with my fans and they care about that.

IB: Do you miss playing in the field?

DO: I don't really miss it at all. I just try whenever they have me go out there. When you haven't been out there, you feel like everything is happening so fast.

IB: You've been on a nice roll lately. Are you confident that big slump is behind you and what has been the key?

DO: I'm getting my confidence back. I think confidence is the main key for everything. Sometimes you put too many things in your head and you just slowly start walking away from your confidence and that gets you in a lot of trouble.

IB: What kind of relationship do you have with Terry Francona? What's he like as a manager?

DO: Tito is the best manager I've ever played for, no question about it. He always has been so helpful and so supportive and reasonable. He knows how to deal with things.