"I am not much of a baseball fan, but I usually wear a blue Red Sox baseball cap around town because my daughter lives in Boston and sent me one as a gift. This has led to a variety of unusual confrontations. Last month, as I was crossing the street in midblock, a police car heading my way suddenly turned on its flashing red roof lights and pulled up next to me. As the window slid down, a police sergeant stuck his head out and admonished me: “You know, wearing a Red Sox cap in New York is illegal.” Then, with a smile, he wished me a happy new year."