NEW YORK (AP) -- Signs were posted in the New York Yankees' clubhouse Sunday reminding players to pack a coat or jacket for the chilly weather in Boston this week.
Johnny Damon could get an especially cold reception from the fans at Fenway Park.
The speedy center fielder is the first big star to switch sides in baseball's most bitter rivalry since Roger Clemens in 1999 -- and he at least made a two-year stop in Toronto first.
Damon, on the other hand, jumped right from the Red Sox to New York for a four-year, $52 million contract. He returns to Boston with his new team for the first time Monday night, and folks in Beantown are gearing up with T-shirts that read:
"Looked Like Jesus."
"Throws Like Mary."
"LOYAL Like Judas."
"Johnny B GONE!"
"I expect them to cheer what our team accomplished back then. Winning the World Series was pretty awesome," Damon said. "I expect them to boo the fact that I'm here. That I went over and that I'm playing with a team that truly needed me, truly wanted me."
A fan favorite all over New England from 2002-05, Damon sparked Boston's high-powered offense from the leadoff spot and helped lead its band of "idiots" to a World Series championship two years ago -- the first for the Red Sox since 1918.
With his long hair, quick smile and colorful quotes, he became one of the most famous people in a baseball-crazy city. Adoring girls and grateful fans followed him like a rock star.
But the love-fest likely ended the minute he left town to join the hated Yankees. George Steinbrenner's $200 million team is still the Evil Empire as far as Boston fans (and one or two Red Sox executives) are concerned, and the rivalry has been around a lot longer than Damon was.
"Everybody is different on how they feel," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. "Some don't care. Some care a lot. He spent a long time in Boston. You can't throw that away. I'm sure it will be mixed ... who knows?"
Or, as Boston slugger David Ortiz put it: "It's going to be a little crazy out there tomorrow."
Despite some occasional struggles, Damon is off to a strong start in the Big Apple, and he's coming off a huge weekend against Toronto. He had three hits Sunday in a 4-1 victory over the Blue Jays, making him 6-for-9 in the past two games with two homers and six runs scored.
Batting leadoff in another power-packed lineup, Damon is hitting .312 overall with nine doubles, 22 runs, seven stolen bases and 13 RBIs.
Is he eager to prove the Red Sox made a mistake by letting him get away as a free agent?
"I'm not bitter at them at all. They made a decision. It was a business decision. I commend them for holding their ground and for believing what they believe in," Damon said. "I would just like to thank the fans. They were awesome. They don't deserve to have players keep leaving, but it's been a trend that's happened in Boston."
The Yankees lead the AL East by percentage points over Boston heading into the two-game series, the first of 19 meetings between the teams this season. They play eight times in the next 24 days.
"We've been there so many times. It never gets boring," New York third baseman Alex Rodriguez said. "We don't know them very well. They have a new cast of characters up there except for three or four guys."
Mike Mussina and Randy Johnson, New York's two best starters, are not scheduled to pitch in the series. Right-hander Chien-Ming Wang (1-1, 4.80 ERA) takes the mound Monday night against Boston knuckleballer Tim Wakefield (1-4, 3.90). Shawn Chacon (3-1, 4.56) goes Tuesday night against Red Sox newcomer Josh Beckett (3-1, 4.50).
Boston just finished a 3-6 trip.
"Nobody's happy around here right now," Ortiz said Sunday in St. Petersburg, Fla., after a 5-4 loss to Tampa Bay. "We're coming out of a really bad road trip. We're better at home than on the road. Going home just puts you back on track."
Damon will find out quickly Monday night whether going back to Boston will be any fun at all.
"I hope they remember all the great things he did and helped bring them a world championship after 86 years. I know I would if I were a Red Sox fan -- but of course I'm not a Red Sox fan," Rodriguez said. "Everyone in the game respects Johnny Damon and recognizes that he's a great player and a leader. I just hope they remember that."
For now, Damon is looking forward to the experience.
"I made a lot of great friends there, a lot of lifelong friends," he said. "It's going to be special."

CINCINNATI (AP)
-- The Houston Astros, eligible to re-sign Roger Clemens again starting Monday, plan to contact the agents for the seven-time Cy Young Award winner.
"This opens up a window of opportunity for us," general manager Tim Purpura said Sunday from Houston. "We have said that we are interested in getting Roger back. We would love to have him be a part of our team."
Clemens spent the last two seasons with his hometown Astros, winning the NL Cy Young Award in 2004 and the major league ERA title last year. He pitched for the United States in the World Baseball Classic in March and though he considers himself retired, he hasn't ruled out returning.
Houston, Boston, the New York Yankees and Texas are interested in signing the 43-year-old right-hander.
"We'd like to have him back, but he's not a factor in our ballclub," Astros manager Phil Garner said before Sunday's game against Cincinnati. "We planned our ballclub without Rocket. He told us in the winter that he shouldn't be a factor. We're not waiting for him. We're not holding back."
Under baseball's rules, teams can re-sign their former players who became free agents only through Dec. 7 (or Jan. 8 if offered salary arbitration), or starting May 1.
Clemens is tied for eighth on the wins list with 341 and second in strikeouts with 4,502.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)
-- Steve McNair's tenure with the Tennessee Titans could be over within the next 24 hours, according to his agent. Team officials don't agree, even though they gave permission for McNair's agent to talk with the Baltimore Ravens.
Agent Bus Cook said Sunday the team was considering releasing McNair or trading him to the Ravens, with something possibly worked out by Monday.
General manager Floyd Reese said a few hours later the Ravens indeed had discussed a trade with Tennessee. But the Ravens' offer was insufficient, and Reese said the talks died right there.
"Steve's a Tennessee Titan. That has not changed," Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said.
Asked about McNair being released within hours, the Titans general manager had a short answer.
"That's not going to happen, no," Reese said.
The Titans drafted Texas quarterback Vince Young with the No. 3 overall pick Saturday as McNair's successor, and they already were looking for a way to reduce or shed the $23.46 million salary cap number the 2003 co-MVP is scheduled to count for in 2006.
Titans coach Jeff Fisher had called trade and release talks "unlikely." Baltimore coach Brian Billick said simply: "Stay tuned."
The NFL Players Association filed a grievance earlier this month when the Titans barred McNair from working out on their property, fearing an injury would make them liable for his entire salary-cap number. They are trying to schedule an expedited hearing before an arbitrator, but Cook said the grievance asked for McNair's release.
Talks on reworking McNair's deal have been nonexistent, but Reese said they now have time to discuss it with the conclusion of the draft.
"Now I think it'll be everybody's duty to sit down and see if we can get something done. I don't know if we can," he said.
The Titans hold all the leverage in this situation unless an arbitrator rules in McNair's favor and grants his release. McNair is under contract for 2006 at a salary of $9 million. That takes away incentive for teams to offer much in a trade.
Tennessee won't need salary cap relief until July when it's time to start signing Young and the other nine draft picks.
"I don't know how much it does to get someone released in August," Reese said. "Maybe it does."
The last time the Titans had a pay-cut showdown with a top player was in 2004 with running back Eddie George, the franchise's all-time leading rusher. He finally asked for, and received, his release a week before training camps opened in July.
Fisher said this situation is difficult considering all McNair has meant to the franchise, leading them to their only Super Bowl appearance and two AFC championship games.
"Steve has been around long enough to understand that you have to separate the business side from everything else. Steve has confidence in his abilities. Steve is not finished playing. He's determined to prove that he can play and play at a very high level," Fisher said.
"That's what he's living on right now, and the hope that this thing gets resolved."