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.

My Sox are falling down. I find myself needing to pull them up much too much lately.

The team looks very vulnerable in this state - exposing an ugly heel.

Heck they are starting to smell.

They do not look themselves. They do not appear relaxed. Even Kevin Millar seems tense.

Losing three straight games to the Toronto Blue Jays is inexcusable.

It's not just Toronto. It's Oakland. It's Seattle. These teams are supposed to be weak and the Sox go 2-7.

Strange things seem to be happening. Perhaps the full moon (although how is one to tell) is causing some earthly disruptions. How else can you explain Reed Johnson hitting two home runs?

I would have expected it from Vernon Wells or Eric Hinske or even Greg Zaun, but Johnson? He only had one before last night's game and that was way back on April 13 vs. Oakland.

The Toronto Sun says Johnson has cure for what ails you.

His cure is making me sick.

I won't blame it all on Alan Embree's flat fastball. Although, if he did not allow the three-run shot, the Sox would still be playing for a win.

I'm not sure Major League Baseball has the best interest of its players in mind. I mean playing three games in the pouring rain, ridiculous. Thank goodness no one got hurt. I'm sure after that and heading on a road trip against Toronto and the Yankees, we are bound to see some effects.

Illnesses come to mind. Heck there have been some players like Milwaukee's Ben Sheets, who got an inner ear infection, hasn't pitched in a month. Then there's San Francisco's J.T. Snow out for two weeks with "flu-like" symptoms.

Apparently some things are more important than health; money comes to mind.

MLB.com reports that the interleague weekend was a blockbuster in ticket sales and tv ratings. So, it's all good.

I may also be a little biased. I missed four innings of Saturday's game, assuming a rainout. At least it gave the Fenway's faithful another chance to boo one of the newer players.

As I was reading the Portland Press Herald's sports section today, I noticed an intriguing article by Kevin Thomas.

The story told of a young defensive catcher making his mark in the minor league system. Alberto Concepcion - remember that name - because if my idea is read by the Boston's brass...

Let me first tell you my idea.

Concepcion is 24 and has shown some brilliance this year for the AA Sea Dogs. Pitchers tout his calling ability as much as it is in the minors. He does handle pitchers well and does his homework. Last year he hit .281.

But where is he to go? The Sox, at least for the next four years, have a stellar cacher in Jason Varitek. They have a great backup in Doug Mirabelli. And eventually even Kelly Shoppach could take that role, if he would start hitting.

So for the conceivable future Concepcion is stuck in the minors.

I have a way out for him...The Red Sox could send Concepcion with David Wells for Roger Clemens. I mean Houston's Brad Ausmus, 36, can not stay in the bigs forever. Houston could at least use Concepcion as back-up for Raul Chavez when the times comes. In fact, Concepcion may be a better option.

This way everybody's happy. Concepcion makes it to the bigs. Houston rids itself of a huge contract, get a replacement in the rotation and an up-and-coming catcher. And, the Red Sox bring back one of the greatest pitchers back to Boston.

I, too, would be happy. I wouldn't have to watch another David Wells start.

Maybe it is just how Mercury News' Ann Killion describes it:

"They were protected, momentarily, from the downpour of rain, injuries, errors, late-inning heartbreaks, self-doubts and criticism."

"For this one afternoon, all was sunshine and rainbows for the A's."

Yeah, maybe. Or...the A's were fortunate to face the worst starter on Boston's club.

There are plenty of tickets left, but soon fans will be lining up to get on board the "I-don't-like-David-Wells Bandwagon." They'll pretend they always disliked Wells; saying how those two starts were aberrations. That they wanted the team to sign, Scott Kazmir, or someone. It's no wonder, considering yesterday's bleak performance.

It was tough but Boston got a win in Oakland. I don't for the life of me understand how the Red Sox could have lost the first game, but that, as they say, is water under the bridge.

Now the team is back on track. And as usual it is pitching that has kept them from imploding. Lately it is not the starters, it's the bullpen.

Last night Matt Mantei, Alan Embree, Mike Timlin and Keith Foulke all did the job. Although Mantei did struggle.

Still Embree got the victory and Foulke recorded his 10th save of the year.

If this team can put it all together, the rest of the league will be in trouble. The time is coming soon, I trust.

Wade Miller is back; Boston's official site says David Wells returns to the rotation today; and my guess is that Schilling will not return until mid-June, just a guess. But it's still all good news.

Bronson Arroyo has pitched exceptionally well. In fact, the Boston Herald's Tony Massarotti thinks its time to lock him up to a long-term deal. Matt Clement has been pretty darn good until Tuesday. So I'm not worried about our pitching staff. Although I can't stand Wells. The replacements have and continue to do a good job.

So why all the talk about Roger Clemens coming to Boston?

Mr. Manny Ramirez is showing all why he should be a first ballot Hall of Famer.
For 12 years he has been a force. He has averaged over 100 RBIs during that time missing the mark only twice. And now he has 400 HRs.

Manny has been the most-feared baseball hitter since he came up in 1993. Only Jim Thome comes to mind. Comparing their stats at Baseball-Reference.com, Manny has more RBIs, doubles, hits and a better career average. Besides Thome is a lefty.

I found it fitting that Manny would hit No. 400 against his first manager Mike Hargrove. Boston.com reports a couple of Hargrove memories.

When the Boston Herald asked Manny about his feat the slugger did a flip-flop.

So was he happy about it? Ask him when he starts to hit. It's probably hard to concentrate on a homerun when your team has lost two in a row and you're batting .248.

Is there a better right-hand batter in baseball?

I missed the game last night, for the second time of the year. However everyone is talking about Kevin Millar's heroic home run in the bottom of the ninth.

I have been admittedly harsh when discussing Millar. I thought of him as a defensive liability and an average bat. While both of these statements are true, I found myself defending him over the weekend.

Millar is a lot like my brother. He's always there with a quick, witty phrase to take the pressure off a situation; he comes up big when one needs him the most; although he may make a few mistakes over the course of the year, one can not measure the value he brings to the family, yes, I mean family.

Millar is not the best first baseman or outfielder for that matter. He has made a few errors and fielding mistakes. He isn't a powerful bat (only 104 HRs and 400 RBIs). I would dare say he doesn't offer much protection for David Ortiz, especially batting .257 this year. But he is perhaps the best clubhouse brother.

Without Millar, the Red Sox would not have the success they have had over the last two years. Strange? Not really.

Let's go back to 2003. The Red Sox were struggling they were back some 10 games behind the Yankees, fighting with the Oakland A's or was it the Angels. It's hard to say all three teams were in the thick of it. Then someone got a hold of that videotape of Millar dancing to "Born in the USA." Embarassingly funny stuff.

His willingness to be the butt of the joke, eased the tension.

I have been impressed with the starters with the Red Sox lately. Each of them have put in some brilliant performances while Curt Schilling and David Wells have been on the DL. Yesterday was no different.

Jeremi Gonzalez, a 30-year-old journeyman, recorded his first win on Sunday in the first game of the doubleheader and Wade Miller is back from injury.

What more can you ask for? Gonzalez has a WHIP of 1.22 and 13Ks in 10 2/3 innings. He's not Schilling but has pitched well enough to give the Sox a fighting chance in each of his starts.

I was really excited to see Wade Miller on the mound. I have watched him throughout his career. Last year, before his injury, he had Cy Young-caliber stuff, if you exclude starts vs. St. Louis.

He allowed 14 runs in 14 1/3 innings vs. the Cards. Without St. Louis games, he was 7-4, with a 2.30 ERA and 1.28 WHIP. I'll take that from my fourth starter any day.

On Sunday, You couldn't tell it was his first start of the year. His fastball was consistently 91 mph and I saw the gun hit 93 on occasion. He also got guys out with his breaking stuff. At one point he threw a 3-1 curve for a called strike. Wow!

If there was a chip on Bronson's shoulder, it just got bigger. Arroyo's performance in Detroit is yet another file in the case for keeping him in the rotation. MLB.com says he "located a gem".

Although it must have hurt when the first hit allowed was a home run in the seventh.

Regardless, he was brilliant. I think Johnny Damon said it best, "He could be our No. 1." At this point in the season he is the No. 1. No offense, Matt Clement, but every fifth day you can count on Arroyo.

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe says Only thing that's baffling is Arroyo's stuff.

Arroyo pitched eight very strong innings - striking out eight, allowing three hits and walking one. The Red Sox are going to have to rethink the bullpen plan, at least until Arroyo gets a loss.

What are the Red Sox going to do? They have six legitimate starters (Arroyo, David Wells, Curt Schilling, Tim Wakefield, Clement and Wade Miller). Some may say that Miller is the odd man out. Well, this can not be. Miller has never pitched as a reliever. Does it make a difference? Yes it does.

Last evening, I went to the Portland Phoenix site looking for the contestants of its annual music award ceremony, when I noticed a column by Ryan Stewart. I'm a bit ignorant to the online version of the Phoenix, but apparently he reports the Sporting Eye. In his column, he writes that Sean McDonough is no longer the play-by-play man for the Friday night Red Sox games.

This is a "Web exclusive?" Sean McDonough was not tendered a contract last November. Five months ago. Either the article has been there since November or it's new, old news.

In fact, in December Don Orsillo was given an extension by NESN along with former Mainer Tom Caron.

This is why one should not get his sports news from an entertainment magazine.

To his credit, Mr Stewart at least gave Sean McDonough his due. I, too, miss McDonough. I have enjoyed listening to his voice these many years, but all things must pass.

Speaking of broadcasters...

Kevin Brown - $15 million, Jaret Wright - $7 million, Randy Johnson - $16 million, Jason Giambi - $11 million; The Yankees in fourth place - priceless.

Yes, I could be writing how Boston's Doug Mirabelli was the perfect DH or how John Halama filled a big hole in the Red Sox rotation, but I can't get over how a $200-million baseball team is 11-16 so far.

It's gotten so bad for the Yankees, last night they played a rookie at second, sitting Bernie Williams. Tonight New York will start a Double-A pitcher in place of injured-ace Randy Johnson.

Out of the five starters, only Carl Pavano continues to be a solid contributor. I bet he wishes he was with the Boston 9 now.

It's only May, but the Bombers are dismal; I couldn't be happier.