RSN: Your nickname is "Little Papi." Where did that come from?
LJ: Three years ago, when I was with the Dodgers' low-A team, the guys started calling me that. They said I looked like him -- like David Ortiz.
RSN: Do you like being called "Little Papi"?
LJ: I love it. Who wouldn't like it? He's a superstar.
RSN: Are you a similar player to Ortiz?
LJ: I think we're similar. I'm a first baseman and a power hitter. I'm kind of the Latino guy. We're about the same size.
RSN: Do you have a similar personality -- always smiling -- or are you a little quieter?
LJ: I'm kind of…it depends. I'm quiet. No, I'm not quiet. I like to talk and be happy. That's it, man. I try to be nice to teammates. You have to be that way. Sometimes you're not laughing, because everybody gets mad sometimes. But you have to try to change that when you do. You have to get back to laughing.
RSN: You said that you’re about the same size as Ortiz. Now much do you weigh?
LJ: Right now I'm 270, maybe 275.
RSN: Is that a good weight for you?
LJ: I think it is. I like to be big. Sometimes I lose or gain, but everyone likes to be big. Not big like fat. Big like strong.
RSN: You have 7 stolen bases this year. Do you run well for a big man?
LJ: Yes. I can say that I can run. I run well for my size.
RSN: What part of your game do you most need to improve?
LJ: I'm not consistent, man. In this game you have to do your thing every day. My job is to bring in runs and hit doubles and home runs, and I don't always do that. That's my problem. I'm not consistent enough. You won't be upstairs if you aren't. You won’t be in the big leagues. You'll be in Double-A, and Triple-A. I know I can do it, but sometimes it's hard to get it done.
RSN: Is most of your power to right field, or is it to all fields?
LJ: My power is from center to left. I’ve hit five balls up on the left field wall here.
RSN: Along with having good power, what do you consider your strengths?
LJ: I think managers like that I hustle. When I hit the ball back to the pitcher, I run hard. I think I make the plays I'm supposed to make.
RSN: You're a first baseman. Are you happy with your defense?
LJ: I feel good, and I like playing first base. But nobody is perfect. In the five years before, I made 9 or 10 errors. Now, I have more this year. Sometimes it's hard when you know you can, but you don't get it done. But I can play first base.
RSN: You played with New Britain last year, which means that you faced the Portland pitching staff. Who among them was the toughest to hit against?
LJ: (Cla) Meredith. His sinker, brother -- it was so nasty and dirty. And he's a tough guy. If he stays healthy, he'll be in the big leagues for a long time. He's a man when he's on the mound pitching.
RSN: Who else do you remember?
LJ: All of them. (Jon) Lester is a man, too. He trusts his stuff, so he throws strikes. Sometimes they hit it, but that happens in baseball. He just keeps throwing and getting guys out. And Manny (Delcarmen)…everyone knows Manny. Manny on the mound. And (Jon) Papelbon. He has what? 32 saves in the big leagues now. What more do you have to say?
RSN: You grew up in Venezuela. Had you been to the United States before coming here to play pro ball?
LJ: I came here once when I was 12. That was for a Little League…what is the word? There were six or eight teams…it was a tournament. We played in Ft. Lauderdale.
RSN: Did you know much English when you came here to play?
LJ: No. I didn't really know any. I came in 2001, and it was hard to learn. It takes time. I learned street English first, of course. But I talked to teammates a lot, and I have got much better. You need it in this game. You have to be able to talk to people. There are not many phenomenons who come here and succeed without being able to communicate.
RSN: Why did you sign with the Red Sox?
LJ: First, because I like it. I like the Red Sox. Second, as a free agent, you want to make it. I did good last year, but the Twins had first basemen, and if you're on the 40-man, you'll play. If you're not on the 40-man, you won't get the same chance. I saw that the Red Sox had Ortiz, and they signed J.T. Snow. They were the only ones, so I saw a chance. Of course, (Kevin) Youkilis was the surprise. He has been very good.
RSN: You're signed through this year. Do you expect to be back next season?
LJ: They want me to sign, and I hope I come back. I feel good here, and I know my teammates and bosses. But you have to make a good deal for yourself, too. You want to have a chance to make it to the big leagues, so I have to wait and see after the season. Then I decide. But I like Boston, so I hope so.