In the end it was just Terry being Terry.
That is the best explanation for the minor suspense AL manager Terry Francona created this week when he refused to publicly name Mariano Rivera his closer for the All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium.
Though Francona’s tap dance around the issue created controversy, the truth is Rivera knew he would be Tuesday night’s AL closer a few days in advance.
It turns out that Yankees manager Joe Girardi, a coach on the AL staff, spilled the beans.
“[Francona] didn’t tell me specifically, but my manager had told me,” Rivera said after the AL’s 4-3 victory in 15 innings.
Rivera entered with one out in the ninth in a tie game and pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings, but was long removed from the equation by the time Michael Young’s sacrifice fly won it at 1:37 a.m.
Nevertheless, Rivera said the experience – even without the benefit of a save situation – was gratifying.
“I had a chance to pitch,” he said. “All I wanted was a chance to pitch. I wanted to have a chance to save the game, but I couldn’t. I’m OK with that.”
Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon drew the ire of Yankees fans earlier in the week when he said he should be the closer, before backtracking and saying that Rivera was the best option. He allowed an unearned run in the eighth that gave the NL a 3-2 lead before the AL tied it in the bottom of the inning off Mets closer Billy Wagner.
Papelbon was among the players who departed the Stadium early – his nameplate was removed from his locker and his belongings were gone by the time reporters were allowed to enter the clubhouse.
Rivera said there were no strained feelings between himself and Papelbon.
“He means well,” Rivera said. “And when you have a young guy like that he’s a competitor. Definitely, all of us wanted to close the game. Sure, everybody deserved to be a closer in this game, but the manager had the last call. I have no problem with that.”
Rivera has been part of every big moment at the Stadium since 1996 – with the exception of the Pope’s visit in April – and yet the thunderous reception he received Tuesday seemed to catch him off guard.
Nobody was cheered louder in pregame introductions, and Rivera also received a hero’s welcome upon entering in the ninth.
“This one was definitely different – this one was the top,” Rivera said of his reception. “It was the top of the line.”
mpuma@nypost.com