Aaron Boone’s remembrance of his time with Mariano Rivera on the eve of the closer’s entrance into the Hall of Fame included some reality.

“I remember when I got traded here at the deadline in ‘03, he went through a stretch where he’d blown a couple saves or had a couple of rough outings,’’ Boone said Saturday. “I remember hearing some boos for Mariano. I was like ‘Wow.’ Then he probably went on a 2½-month tear after that and was the lights-out closer that he pretty much was his entire career.”

Rivera gave up leads in three of four appearances after Boone made his debut with the Yankees after coming over in a trade from the Reds. He also allowed runs in three of five appearances.

But, as Boone noted, Rivera soon returned to form and converted his final 15 saves that season, holding opponents scoreless in 16 1/3 innings during that stretch.

“He was almost the perfect competitor,’’ Boone said.