Bullish on Boston’s youth, David Ortiz says Red Sox are in good hands

2:20 PM ET

BOSTON — A day later, Big Papi speaks.

After quickly vacating the Boston Red Sox clubhouse in the wake of his monstrous performance in Saturday’s 6-5 win over the Houston Astros, designated hitter David Ortiz held what amounted to a Sunday morning fireside chat with reporters at Fenway Park.

The slugger — who homered, tripled in the tying run with two outs in the ninth and won it with an RBI double in the 11th — was unable to speak with reporters due to his daughter’s birthday party Saturday.

“Everyone was getting prepared [for the party] while we were playing,” he said. “I heard a kid that said, ‘Now that you hit a walk-off, we can start the party on time.’ I was a little late. You don’t want to have your daughter mad at you.”

It’s likely Ortiz was forgiven for being delinquent, after his family watched him deliver the equalizer and the knock-out blow before being doused with flour — courtesy of pitcher Joe Kelly — and swallowed up by teammates at second base just moments earlier. That scene was played out over and over in New England living rooms, and is an early favorite for the 40-year-old retiree, who is soaking it all in as a largely youthful lineup brings excitement back to Fenway.

“We play every game like it is going to be the last,” Ortiz said. “Continue coming in with the same approach. I’m super impressed by all of the young kids. They have a great future. I watch them and they are like a group of veterans.”

Red Sox manager John Farrell noted Sunday how long it takes the big man …

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