Aaron Boone hasn’t been a Yankee since March and has lost touch with his former teammates, but he will be a Yankee fan during the ALCS against the Red Sox.

Of course, there really isn’t any other way for a guy who hit one of the biggest home runs in Yankee history to root.

“We have all gone our separate ways,” said Boone, who signed with the Indians after being released by the Yankees when he injured a knee playing basketball in violation of his contract. He subsequently required reconstructive surgery that cost him this season. “But I will be pulling for them.”

And watching.

“I will follow it,” said Boone, whose homer off Tim Wakefield in the 11th inning of Game 7 of last year’s ALCS at Yankee Stadium sent the Yankees to the World Series and left the Red Sox empty again.

When Boone went down, the Yankees replaced him with Alex Rodriguez, so Boone, the player, hasn’t been missed. However, he lives large in Yankees folklore.

So, does Oct. 16, 2003 seem like forever or yesterday?

“As long a year as it has been for me, it has flown by,” said Boone, who rehabbed his knee and then underwent further surgery late in the season. “As for them meeting again, it’s something you love to see. It’s the clash of the titans for the pennant.”

Boone was a Yankee for three months, but wherever he goes fans of each team let him know what they feel about his home run.

“Not a day goes by when I am out and somebody, a Yankee fan or a Red Sox fan, stops me and says something,” said Boone, who recently moved from southern California to Arizona.

What does he hear from the Bosox fans?

“Usually it’s harmless,” Boone said. “It’s never real friendly but it’s harmless.”

Positive by nature, Boone hasn’t hung his head over being released by the Yankees and missing the season.

“I got over it pretty quick,” Boone said. “Had I been doing something reckless, that would have been something else. But I wasn’t being stupid. I would have loved to been back quicker.”