Coco Crisp understood how big the stage was because he’d spent three years performing on it.

Fenway Park was rarified baseball air. Same as Yankee Stadium. Same as Shea Stadium.

The memories of winning a World Series with the Red Sox in 2007 don’t fade.

Coming back to Fenway with the Indians on Monday only gave him a chance to make more.

“You want to do something on a big stage,’’ he said. “To be able to come in here with the history and being a part of that ball club and winning a World Series with them, it does make it a little bit more special than most.’’

His moment came in the sixth inning with one out, one on, and the Indians clinging to a 2-1 lead. Drew Pomeranz left a 1-2 curveball hanging over the plate, and Crisp launched it into the Monster seats for a two-run homer.

It was his only hit of the series, but it was decisive in a 4-3 victory that punched the Indians’ ticket to the American League Championship Series for the first time since 2007.

The Indians swung a trade for Crisp in August to fill the void in their outfield because of the 80-game suspension of Abraham Almonte, knowing what Crisp could add in the postseason as a veteran presence.

He delivered at the right time.

“That was a big hole and Coco has the experience and showed it tonight,’’ said Indians manager Terry Francona. “Gets down in the count and gets a breaking ball he can handle and hits it out. At the time, those are huge runs, because we had to make them hold up.’’

More than shining against his former team, Crisp was driven by returning to the organization he began his career with. He spent four seasons with the Indians from 2002 to 2005 and never tasted the playoffs — even in 2005 when the Indians won 93 games.

“Last time I was here, we had an unbelievable team and we weren’t able to get into the playoffs,’’ Crisp said. “I think we were the only team in major league history to win 93 games and not make it to the playoffs. But to be able to come back towards the end of my career and be in a postseason situation is fantastic. And to do it with the team you started off with is storybook.’’

Respect from Ortiz

David Ortiz watched and waited while the Indians celebrated on the field, letting them soak in their victory and refusing to steal the spotlight as the crowd showered him with appreciation for the last time.

He waited until the Indians left the field before he came out from the dugout.

Having spent three seasons in the same clubhouse, Crisp wasn’t surprised.

“That’s just who he is,’’ said Crisp. “He has a lot of respect for the game. He let us celebrate, then he came out. The fans wanted him out and he came back out here. And I know it’s a tough time for him, it’s the end of his career and he wanted to obviously win a World Series.

“I know it’s tough for him — without even the extras involved, just retiring in general — his storybook career, that’s tough.

“He’s been like a big brother to me when I came over here and played for Boston. He showed me nothing but love from the get-go. I was out there when he walked out, to see that ovation, I almost started crying. I’ve got so much love and respect for him and the admiration that the fans and this city shows him is very warranted, because he’s done so much here — not just on the field but off the field.’’

The sentiments were echoed by Mike Napoli.

“I’ve got a close relationship with Papi,’’ Napoli said. “What he’s done for this game and this city has been unbelievable. He’s a great friend of mine. It’s cool to be a part of it, it’s bittersweet. You never want to see your friend go that way, but it’s just something that happens.

“He’s just a great human being. Just how he treats everybody. He treats everybody with respect no matter who you are and a lot of people see that and learn that it’s great to treat people with respect no matter who they are and that’s who he is.’’

Julian Benbow can be reached at jbenbow@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @julianbenbow.