Suite offers from Yankees

Call it presumptive. Call it arrogance. Or call it simply planning ahead.

The Yankees, in a letter issued on or before Sept. 19, notified suite holders of 2005 postseason ticket information. The memo's opening line?

''The New York Yankees are entering the post season for the eleventh consecutive year."

The Yankees, as of Sept. 19, trailed the Red Sox by a half-game in the American League East.

In case you're curious, Hall of Fame suites -- which include 18 to 30 tickets per game -- are located on the loge level at Yankee Stadium. Infield suites, the most expensive type, cost $17,500 for the American League Division Series, $25,000 for the ALCS, and $50,000 for the World Series.

Left standing

In need of good news this morning? Consider: After facing David Bush this afternoon, the Red Sox face three lefthanded Toronto starters in Gustavo Chacin (12-9, 3.66 ERA), Ted Lilly (9-11, 5.72 ERA), and Scott Downs (4-3, 4.35 ERA). Opposing lefties, in 23 starts at Fenway this season, are 5-10 with a 6.59 ERA.

The Sox have won their last nine games in the Fens against lefty starters, last losing July 18 to Tampa Bay's Scott Kazmir. Lefthanded slugger David Ortiz leads all Sox hitters vs. lefty starters at Fenway in average (.383), home runs (4), and RBIs (13).

Healing powers

No, Terry Francona said Sunday, he didn't think Johnny Damon's home run (his first in 76 at-bats) was a sign of improved health in his left shoulder.

''What I think it says is he is a real tough guy," Francona said.

So, it came as a surprise yesterday to hear Damon proclaim himself healthy.

''If I go [at the plate], it makes things a lot easier for our ball club," Damon said. ''I am finally healthy. I can honestly say that now. The shoulder is not bothering me."

Damon is just 8 for his last 38 (.211) and is batting .233 (34 for 146) since Aug. 10. But even if Damon is not physically ideal, he seems to have mentally steeled himself for this closing week.

''I'm not going to walk around with that frown on my face like I've been over the past month or so," he said. ''I'm happy, excited about this weekend, and may the best team win.

''I think sometimes it takes a while to get your bat going after you do get healthy. I need to go out there and remember the athletic ability I do have and use that. Don't be so mechanical with my swing."

Doctor, doctor

Injury updates: Keith Foulke visited with an orthopedist in Arizona yesterday for a second opinion on both knees. He's expected back in Boston today to confer with team physician Thomas Gill. Kevin Youkilis was scheduled to visit with Gill yesterday afternoon to have his fractured right ring finger evaluated. Francona said Youkilis might even swing a bat yesterday. Youkilis isn't expected to play until the postseason begins, at the soonest. Francona said his availability is a question of: ''What can he handle? What can he do to be productive? Swinging is one thing. Hitting a ball -- like off the end [of the bat] is another thing. He's trying. We'll see how he does." Rule 5 outfielder Adam Stern is scheduled to undergo labrum surgery today in Los Angeles . . . Ortiz walked three times Sunday, pulling into a tie at weekend's end with Yankee first baseman Jason Giambi for the AL lead in walks with 98. Ortiz has scored 26 times on those 98 walks.