WASHINGTON — David Ortiz drew so many pals and well-wishers, it took him nearly three minutes just to climb a few dugout steps. He then swung behind the batting cage, gave Vladimir Guerrero a playful pat, and spotted another Hall of Famer along the first-base side.

“What’s goin’ on, Papi?” a grinning Dave Winfield asked.

Yep, Big Papi is still a big hit wherever he goes, whatever he does.

On Sunday, that meant a new job: The retired Red Sox great was a manager at the All-Star Futures Game, guiding the minor league talent on the World squad at Nationals Park.

No surprise, Ortiz drew the loudest ovation during pregame introductions.

Famed for hitting fastballs into the bleachers at Fenway Park, he found this skippering business more like a changeup – tough to adjust to, even for a one-time exhibition.

“People will say you played in the big leagues for 20 years, you will have this managing side in your back pocket,” he said. “It doesn’t work that way.”

And, nope, he doesn’t have any intention of making this a full-time gig at any level.

“That is not on my bucket list,” the 42-year-old Ortiz said.

Besides, he reckoned, he’s probably too nice for the post.

“I’m so friendly with everybody,” he said, “I don’t know how to be mad at anybody.”

Luis Alexander Basabe was hoping to see that big smile in person. A top young talent for the Chicago White Sox, the 21-year-old from Venezuela was picked by Ortiz to lead off and play center field. The former Red Sox prospect hit a two-run homer, but the U.S. won, 10-6.

Asked how it felt to share a clubhouse with Ortiz, his eyes grew wide.

“His name … Big Papi … that name means a lot,” Basabe said. “A legend, a good teammate, a champion.”

Dodgers catching prospect Keibert Ruiz met Ortiz on Saturday.

“It’s awesome. Unbelievable. I saw David Ortiz with (the) Boston Red Sox hitting home runs and then I saw he was manager in the Futures Game, unbelievable,” he said.

After signing autographs and chatting with fans, Ortiz took on another role before the first pitch – team photographer. Standing in the midst of his players, he grabbed a camera to snap a couple selfies.

Ortiz, who will be a TV analyst for Fox during the All-Star Game, was lured into this event by longtime buddy Torii Hunter, the manager for the U.S. team.

“I thought it would be something special because we’ve always been together with the Twins, we played together, went to the postseason together. I got beat by him in the postseason,” Hunter said. “We have a bond, man. He’s one of my best friends in the game. I thought it would be cool for media, for fans and Major League Baseball.”

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