SAN DIEGO — It happens before almost every Red Sox game. A player from the other team will approach David Ortiz during batting practice or even on the field just before the national anthem and ask for some advice.

Usually, but not always, the conversation is in Spanish. They ask Ortiz about baseball or perhaps how best to manage their newfound wealth. Others come to him with intensely personal problems.

“He’s like a big brother or a father. He can be different things depending who you are,’’ Baltimore shortstop Manny Machado said. “For me, I like talking to him because he’s so positive. He’ll say something that will bring you up when you are down.

“When a guy with his résumé takes interest in you, it’s incredible. It’s one of the things I’ve always appreciated.’’

Ortiz, 40, will be the centerpiece player at the 87th All-Star Game on Tuesday. He’ll bat cleanup for the American League and is so popular that his jersey was already sold out at Petco Park on Monday.

But for players like Machado, Miguel Cabrera, and others of Latin American descent, Ortiz is so much more than his home runs and RBIs. He’s somebody who understands what they’re going through.

Ortiz has three World Series rings and been an All-Star 10 times. But he also has been traded, released, and put in a position to fight for his job. He has been accused of using performance-enhancing drugs, squabbled over contracts, and been portrayed as both hero and villain in Boston.

He once separated from his wife, Tiffany, before mending their relationship and is the father of three children.

“There’s not too much I haven’t been through,’’ Ortiz said. “If somebody comes to me and says, ‘Papi, I want to ask you about this,’ I can give them a pretty good answer. I feel like I should. This game is hard enough already.’’

There was a time in the game when such fraternization was banned and being too friendly with the opposition was seen as a character defect. But Ortiz walked across those boundaries, real or imagined, without looking back.

“He’s one of my best friends and one of the best guys in the game. I’ve gotten a lot of great advice on life from him,’’ Toronto designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion said. “He always tells me to enjoy the moment because you don’t know when it will end.

“For me, you know he wants to help you. I’m honored to be here for his last All-Star Game.’’

It’s a reflection of the changes in the game. Of the 79 players who were selected as All-Stars this season, 30 are from outside the United States. They share similar challenges, whether inside the game or out.

“I looked up to David when I was young,’’ said Yankees reliever Dellin Betances, who was born in New York City of Dominican parents. “Competing against him at the highest level is an honor. But getting to know him, that is even better.

“He has always given me good advice on how to take care of myself. We’re going to miss seeing him.’’

Just understand that once the game starts, friendships end.

“Everybody loves Big Papi. But he wants to win more than anybody,’’ Cabrera said. “He’s always helping people out and then he’ll get up and hit a home run off them. I still remember 2013. He took us out.’’

When Ortiz announced his retirement last fall, his friends across the game didn’t believe it at first. Now they’re thrilled watching him play at such a high level.’’

“I’m beyond glad he’s doing what he’s doing. I don’t want him to do well against us, but I like to see how well he’s playing. It’s exciting,’’ Machado said. “I want him to sign with the Orioles and keep playing.’’

Said Yankees outfielder Carlos Beltran: “Being able to see what he’s been able to do this year in his final year has been amazing.’’

The only All-Star older than Ortiz is 43-year-old Mets righthander Bartolo Colon.

“I’m glad I’m here because we had a chance to spend some time together and enjoy ourselves,’’ Colon said via a translator. “We talked a lot [Monday] night, and I told him I didn’t want him to retire. I figure he knows best, and he knows the reasons why.

“If it was up to me, I wouldn’t let him retire. We’ll miss him in so many ways.’’

Peter Abraham can be reached at peter.abraham@globe.com.