What is the point of becoming a parent if you can’t pass your terrible, heart-wrenching sports traditions on to your unsuspecting progeny?

Last Sunday, my father and I took Rose to the new Red Sox spring training park in Naples, Florida, for opening day. The weather was perfect, and the team came to play, beating the Twins 8-3 following some solid fielding and a grand slam from newcomer Lars Anderson in the 7th inning. Nothing like some preseason optimism to blunt the inevitable trauma known as September.

Rose did great, enjoying the game as much as a three-month old could. Which is to say, she pretty much slept through the whole thing. Given what the Sox tend to put their fans through, this may be the wisest approach possible.

Hopefully the first of many such trips.