In an instant

Astros’ reaction to Boone health scare show how Yanks skipper connects

By GEORG A. KING III

If the players gravitate to the newest Yankees manager in the same fashion Aaron Boone’ s final band of big league teammates did nine years ago, the transition process will get off to a good start.

In a cramped spring training room at the Astros’ complex in Kissimmee, Fla., on a March day in 2009, Boone informed his new teammates he was preparing to undergo heart valve surgery and there was a strong chance he had played his final big league game.

Boone knew some of the Astros in front of him but not all. Yet after three-plus weeks of spring training, the first strands of developing bonds had been strong.

“Wasn’ t a dry eye in the room,’’ former Astros outfielder Jason Michaels recalled at last week’s Winter Meetings in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

Ed Wade, the Astros’ GM at the time, gathered the players and told them Boone had something to say.

“Jason was right, there wasn’t a dry eye,’ ’ Wade recalled by phone on Monday.

Darin Erstad joined the Astros in 2008 among a group of veterans Wade had assembled while the minor league system improved.

“You saw how fragile things are. We were all grinding and he has a hole in his heart,’’ Erstad, the University of Nebraska head baseball coach, said from Lincoln on Monday. “We were getting near the end and somebody else was making the decision for him. At that point you don’t care how long you have known somebody.’’

Early Tuesday afternoon Boone recalled that March day very clearly. And what followed six months later.

“I remember crying more than I expected. It was a time in spring training when you start to develop relationships. I knew I was looking at the beginning of the end of my career, knowing it was the final days,’’ Boone said from Arizona. “I didn’t think it was going to be emotional and it turned out to be very emotional.’’

Boone had t he procedure done, rehabbed in Arizona, dropped in on the Astros from time to time that summer, was cleared to resume playing, worked through a minor league rehab assignment and returned to the big leagues in September. He hasn’t had a problem with his heart since.

“We were getting ready for the final road trip of the season and Lance Berkman came up to me and said, ‘You are wearing No. 17.’ What a gesture. I didn’t wear it,’’ Boone said of his number with the Reds and Indians, which Berkman wore with the Astros.

Boone played in 10 games, started two at third base and went hitless in 13 at-bats. And yet, with an assist from Mets third baseman David Wright, Boone has a big piece of his final big league game.

Geoff Blum and Erstad got together with Wright to make sure the third-base bag from Citi Field was taken off the diamond before the Mets left the field in the ninth inning of what was a 4-0 Mets victory.

“We yelled at David Wright to get it,’’ said Erstad, who explained that Blum presented the bag to Boone following the game. “We figured David Wright wouldn’t get in trouble in New York.’’

Boone was taken aback by the gesture.

“I had no idea what was happening. They gave me the base in the clubhouse because they knew it was my last game,’’ Boone said. “I still have it.’’

Michaels had also played with Boone in Cleveland, and would pick his brain on the bench.

“I asked about certain things and tried to learn from him. I heard about different managers and players,’’ Michaels said. “He was a great teammate and a great team player. He kept his emotions in check. He got on guys in the clubhouse but he kept it light. ’’

Erstad, who knew Aaron’s dad, Bob Boone, watched as the players were moved by Boone that spring training.

“He was one of those guys people gravitated toward,’’ Erstad said. “He was one of those guys you could tell cared about other people more than himself.’’

Does the fact the Astros gravitated to him despite him being a stranger to some help Boone for what lays ahead in The Bronx?

“I hope so. It’s not just me and the players, but the players to me,’’ Boone said.