FORT MYERS, Fla. – The two world champions emerged from the dugout, casually taking in a perfect spring day, as a City of Palms Park crowd began to stir at the arrival of two of its all-stars.

Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz began to jog across the outfield, as Park attendants finished off the final stages of batting practice cleanup, and a Fort Myers crowd continued packing in for the second Red Sox exhibition since Game 4 of the 2004 World Series.

The destination of one of the game’s purest hitters and a postseason hero was right-center field, where an amicable group of Northeastern baseball players stood eagerly awaiting a meet-and-greet session. It was the second in two years for many of them, and an unforgettable experience – much like the exhibition contest soon to take place.

“This is as fun as it gets for everybody,” said a beaming Northeastern manager Neil McPhee from the dugout. “They were out here early, watching Red Sox batting practice, gathered around the cage, with players talking to them. It was one of those moments that they’ll all cherish for the rest of their life.”

Ramirez called over a few more Huskies, who each received an informal handshake and embrace from the Dominican Republic native.

“Me and Manny, we went out there and said hi to them,” Ortiz said. “They were really excited; I think that was cool. They were really happy.”

Nearly cloudless and with temperatures in the low 70s, spring seemed to have already arrived for those in attendance — especially for a wide-eyed group of college students fresh off of an encounter with a team that had made sports history just five months earlier. “I’ve been in that position before,” said Red Sox knuckleballer and game starter Tim Wakefield. “When I was in college, we played the Minnesota Twins Double-A team. That was a huge deal for me. I can imagine them playing us, going to school in Boston and knowing the Red Sox. That’s pretty cool.”

Northeastern’s encounter with the Red Sox, their second in two years and only their third in history, came after a week of baseball in Florida, including wins over Seton Hall and Mount St. Mary’s.

For the world champions, their exhibition season had started just one night earlier against the Minnesota Twins. Luckily for Husky starter and senior Devin Monds, Ramirez, Ortiz and leadoff man Johnny Damon, all absentees in the Twins game, were seeing their first at-bats of the spring. For the Sox stars, it was also the first competitive action since the drama of the 2004 postseason.

“This is a very, very rare opportunity,” Monds said from behind the cage before the game. “We’ve got a nice, young team. We’ve got some good offense and a real good defense so I think we’ll do well. We’re looking forward to the rest of the season because we’ve got a nice team to build on.”

Relaxed after the first week of his 20th season on the bench, McPhee explained the growing notoriety of the event, including the Red Sox partnership with Northeastern since 2002.

“They’ve made a big event out of it,” McPhee said. “The trustees are down here, the president. It really turns into more than just a baseball game. For alumni, trustees, overseers, administrators, to come down in this weather at this time of year, to watch the start of spring training, what could be any better?”

McPhee said the team had no plans of “upsetting” the Red Sox. Certainly though for Monds and batterymate Matt Morizio, once the first inning began and Damon stepped to the plate, there would be a brief moment they would never forget.

“I’m excited,” Monds said before the contest. “I’m just going to try and throw some strikes and see what they can do with it. Hopefully they’ll hit into some outs. I’m really excited and ready to go.”

In the other clubhouse, Red Sox manager Terry Francona saw the contest as a great opportunity for his players to get back in the swing of things. The Red Sox not only played Northeastern in the afternoon, but also Boston College at night.

“They’re playing at game speed; it’s a great way to ease into the schedule,” he said. “Get a few at-bats, run the bases. And it’s a nice thing for the schools we’re playing. I have no problem with that; they seem to really enjoy it and appreciate it. Our guys go about it the right way and it ends up being a good day for everybody.”

Nearly a half-hour before the game was set to begin, McPhee seemed to capture the mood of everyone in Florida with an eye and an ear for America’s pastime.

“What could be any better?” the manager said with a smile. “In America, that’s what it’s all about. Spring training, baseball and a cookout.”