By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

FORT MYERS, Fla. � David Ortiz, who reported to Red Sox training camp a day early today, said he spoke to teammates about their clubhouse beer drinking during games, but said it wasn't his job to be "a babysitter."

"Not because of the beer or the chicken. The problem was when they did it," Ortiz said. "They came out and apologized. That means they're not going to do it again. For that, you need to turn the page. We're going to be thinking about the fried chicken and the beer that they had last September in March or February 2012? No. You're not going to solve any problems with that."

Ortiz said when it came to his attention, he said something to the players involved.

"I think I did. But I do things in a different way. When I talk to any of the guys on the team, I don't want to sound like I'm their dad. I make sure that they understand that it's a friend, a brother, another player, talking to them," Ortiz said. "That's why my communication with a lot of them is easy. I have a good relationship with everybody.

"It's not my job to walk on anyone. I'm just an employee just like any one else. I'm not a babysitter or anything like that. I'm talking to another man just like me. There's a difference between being a team leader and being a babysitter. Everybody has an idea about what they are here for."

Ortiz said his first job is to take care of himself. Then he worries about others.