PAWTUCKET -- Perhaps David Ortiz was getting a head start on his post-career occupation when he suggested the Red Sox take a flyer on Sandy Madera.

Talent evaluator aside, Ortiz professed his fondness for Madera after his batting practice session on Thursday, saying, “he’s like a son.”

Such a powerful endorsement from Big Papi brought a smile to Madera’s face. The connection stretches from their childhood days in the Dominican Republic, where Madera, back for his second go-around with Pawtucket, said he would often show his face around the Ortiz household.

“He takes care of me and is always worrying about me,” said the 27-year-old Madera, who was kicking around with the New Jersey Jackals of the Can-Am League before his contract was purchased by Boston on April 8. “I appreciate everything he’s done for me.

“We were like family growing up. I was always at his house a lot,” Madera continued. “I know his family and he knows mine. David was always happy and wanted to take care of people.”

Besides recalling the countless games of stickball, Madera touched upon Ortiz’s basketball skills. Had he not chosen baseball, Madera strongly believes there could have been a future for Ortiz as a power forward in the NBA.

“He’s a really good basketball player,” Madera was saying. “He could dunk and jump really high.”

Madera was probably at his lowest point professionally before Ortiz intervened. Originally signed as a non-drafted free agent by Oakland in Feb. 1998, Madera entered this season with 10 years of professional experience under his belt.

Problem is that those 10 years have been spread over four organizations, including the Yankees, Rockies and Orioles. The highest level he reached was Double-A with both New York (Trenton in 2004) and Baltimore (Bowie a year later).

His best season came with the Jackals last season, Madera nearly won the Triple Crown with league bests in home runs (21), batting average (.364) and second in RBI (75), all this coming in just 86 games.

Madera was, however, far from ready to pledge his undying services to the Independent ball circuit.

“When you play Independent ball, you don’t have a lot of options,” admitted Madera.

Enter Ortiz. All it took was one phone call to the Red Sox front office and, presto, Madera was given new life.

Though having a cheering section of Ortiz’s caliber is a pretty nice trump card, Madera set out not to disappoint his buddy. He began the season in Portland before shuffling off to Pawtucket on April 26.

Madera spent nearly a month with the PawSox, appearing in 23 games prior to getting optioned back to Portland on May 24. Madera’s numbers (.303/four home runs/14 RBI) weren’t the root cause behind his demotion, but with Pawtucket adding at the time Brandon Moss, the belief was that Madera’s playing time would have been reduced.

The Red Sox believed Madera needed to play regularly and Portland would be the best place to keep him sharp.

Asked if he was a victim of the numbers’ game, Madera responded, “They want me in the lineup regularly. They didn’t want me sitting (in Pawtucket).”

Madera completed his two-stint stay in Portland with a .292 average and seven homers and 28 RBI in 43 games. “He’s a nice addition and has a powerful bat,” said PawSox manager Ron Johnson, who mentioned Madera could catch in a pinch.

Not even in Winter Ball were Ortiz and Madera teammates. That all changed Thursday with, in an ironic twist, both descending upon McCoy Stadium the same day.

Perhaps more than anyone associated with the PawSox, Madera is looking forward to spending a few days with his childhood chum.

“He looked pretty good after batting practice,” said Madera. “He’s going to do what he’s got to do.”