I saw many gifts during my daughter's birthday weekend. Some were wrapped with big bows and pretty paper. Some came with cards attached. Some came in boxes, others in bags. Some came in the form of hugs and kisses.

One of the best gifts I did not even see.

There are very few things in life that would interfere with me watching a Red Sox-Yankees game. Saturday was my daughter's birthday and I was busy getting things ready for Sunday's party. Usually I would procrastinate, but this was her first and there were many things to do.

The party was to be held at a family camp in Fryeburg. Our clothes needed to be packed. The car needed to be packed. The cake or cakes as was the case needed to be picked up.

We would need all sorts of different clothes, because Fryeburg makes its own weather. It has the potential to be the hottest place in Maine or the coldest. It could be very wet or very dry, no matter what else is happening in the rest of the region.

So needless to say I was busy. So busy in fact, I had no time to concentrate on the game. Horrible, I know.

So in the midst of preparation I had to rely on others to give me updates.

My brother-in-law came to my aid. At first I didn't believe him. He is notorious for pulling my leg. He tells me, "It's 17-1, so-and-so hit a grand slam and then there was a three-run home run."

"Oh, Thanks a lot," I said almost in disgust. He sensed my sarcasm, and proclaimed, "No, it's true."

I was left speechless, except for the muttering of a small apology.

Although Ruby may disagree, she really took a liking to a couple of musical farm animals, there was no better gift.

I shouldn't be surprised. My daughter has been bringing the champs luck for a whole year now. So on Saturday, perhaps this was the team's way to say thank you.

On Sunday, after all the well-wishers left, the birthday celebration continued with yet another win in the Bronx. I was able to watch as David Wells pitched a gem.

This, I did not expect; I didn't even invite him to the party.

With first-place Baltimore in town, it's time for Boston to start a hit parade.

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