Red Sox slugger David Ortiz, left, and newly signed Sean Casey will both see some action at first base this season.

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AP / Brita Meng Outzen

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Sean Casey remembers the exact moment he wanted to play for the Boston Red Sox.

It was in July of 1999, when he was 25 years old. He was representing the Cincinnati Reds in the All-Star Game, and that summer it was being held at Fenway Park.

The newly acquired first baseman for the Red Sox, now 33, remembers standing on the third-base line during introductions, when all of a sudden Ted Williams drove by him in a golf cart on his way to the mound.

Casey was overwhelmed by the sight of the Splendid Splinter. He was overwhelmed by the 35,000-plus fans going wild over the Red Sox legend. He remembers all the All-Stars surrounding Teddy Ballgame during the ceremonial first pitch.

“The place was going nuts,” Casey recalls. “I can’t believe this was all happening.”

If his heart wasn’t pounding already, former Kansas City Royals legend and Hall of Famer George Brett went out of his way to introduce himself to Casey.

“I was like, ‘Am I dreaming?’ ” Casey said. “We’re at Fenway Park for the last All-Star Game of the millennium. It was all just surreal. It was one of the most surreal moments of my career. So, yeah, I’m looking forward to playing in Boston.”

Boston signed Casey to a one-year deal worth $800,000 in February, and even though he hasn’t made his Red Sox debut at Fenway Park, he’s already a huge part of an already-close Red Sox team.

During the team’s recent union dispute with Major League Baseball and the MLBPA over the lack of compensation for the Sox’ coaching staff regarding the trip to Japan to open the regular season against the Oakland A’s, Casey was one of the point men negotiating with team officials, joining Curt Schilling, Mike Lowell and Kevin Youkilis.

That’s how much respect Casey gets, and he’s been quickly accepted in the Red Sox’ clubhouse.

“If you’re going to have new blood, why not get the best player in the game?” said manager Terry Francona. “He’s a guy who hasn’t won and he’s dying to win. He understands his role here, and it may be a reduced role unless someone gets hurt. He’s willing to handle that, and he may have the best attitude in the game. We have brought an unbelievable leader into our clubhouse. We already have a good clubhouse, but it just got better.”

Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein knew he wanted someone of Casey’s caliber in the clubhouse, on the bench and in the field, so the GM contacted Casey’s agent during the offseason to talk contract. The former member of the Indians, Reds, Pirates and Tigers knew it was an easy decision to sign with Boston, especially given his experiences at Fenway Park.

“It’s awesome, man, just awesome,” he said. “When you’ve watched this team the last few years, to see what they’ve done and the kind of people they have here, you can’t help but to be on the outside looking in, saying, ‘I would love to be a part of that.’ Now to get an opportunity to be a part of that is pretty cool.”

Known as the “Mayor” around the majors, and considered one of the most popular players among his peers, Casey adds a little more flavor to an already interesting and eclectic clubhouse. Casey has always been impressed with the Red Sox’ chemistry.

“There are not a lot of egos,” he said. “There are a lot of good people and good guys. These guys really enjoy being here and enjoy baseball. That’s what makes this fun.”

Red Sox fans wrap their arms and hearts around gregarious players. In the last few seasons, former Red Sox Kevin Millar and Bronson Arroyo earned the lifelong respect of the team’s fans. Casey has a chance to be added to that list.

There are players who say they love coming to the ballpark every day. Then there are those guys like Casey who prove it on a daily basis. Because of his reputation and colorful personality, he’s already a perfect fit in Boston.

“I just really love being here,” he said. “I enjoy putting on the uniform every day and I enjoy playing the game. I enjoy playing it right, too. Fans will know when I’m out there I’m going to be giving all that I have. It’ll be 100 percent, even though when I run it doesn’t look like it, but I’ll always give 100 percent.”

A major reason the Red Sox have won two World Series titles in the last four seasons is the role and bench players the team has had.

Even though Casey has spent most of his 11-year major-league career as a starter, he knows he’ll be a role player in Boston, as a backup for Gold Glove first baseman Kevin Youkilis.

Casey is fine with that.

“Any good team has good players coming off the bench,” he says. “Any good team I’ve been on in my career had good bench guys. It’ll be different for me, but I’m looking forward to it. I’ll have to find out what the routine is for a guy coming off the bench. It’ll be a challenge, but I’m ready. To be a part of something like this, and with an opportunity to get a ring, that’s what I was looking at.”

jmcdonal@projo.com