Few things mean America more than baseball.  Some will tell you that when the cold, harsh winter gives way to the hope of spring and Opening Day comes along, then all is right with the world.  And all is right in Aurora, or so it might seem as Opening Night arrives in Colorado.  I have covered baseball for over 40 years and I do not believe that the anticipation for a season has ever been greater than this one here in the suburbs of Denver.  With the sudden and untimely death of John Rodriguez, Sr. and the rapid sale of the club to Michael Topham and Golden Entertainment during the penultimate week of Spring Training, there is tremendous anticipation, hope and trepidation amongst Aurora fans.

Walking into Northern Lights Park and looking out at the bright green grass now called “John Rodriguez Field”, one sees the usual red, white and blue bunting adorning the stadium.  Painted into the grass behind home plate is a large black circle with white “JR” within it; just one reminder that change has come to Aurora.  Fans entering the park were given similar pins to adorn their hats, jerseys or sweatshirts so they – like the black-patched jerseys of the players – can honor the team’s departed patriarch.  The crack of bats resonated throughout the park as batting practice greets the early arriving fans; excited, idle chatter filled the crisp spring air.

When batting practice finished and the grounds crew cleared the field, raked and lined it, they began to set up chairs and a podium in front of the mound.  A large Borealis logo with black and white JR and 1923-2011 was situated on the front of the podium.  As is often the case on Opening Day, the crowd arrives early, excited, electric, and this year oddly subdued, but the sight of the chairs and podium create a buzz through the near-capacity crowd that filled the park an hour before first pitch.  Then a second microphone is brought onto the field and situated closer to home.

The huge video screen that serves as the scoreboard flashed a mixture of highlights from last season: Wilson Berry throwing out would-be base stealers, John Roach striking out another batter.  A huge roar came from the crowd when it showed each of Mark Richardson’s three postseason homeruns, certainly his personal highlight from his injury shortened season.  Faces in the crowd, excited children in faux jerseys, the series pitching match-ups… and then the roaming camera focuses up on the owner’s box, and with that the crowd turned to look up at the box to see three men and a teenage boy standing in the open window, waving at the crowd.  Two were faces well known to the Aurora faithful: brothers Chris Rodriguez and John Rodriguez, Jr., sons of the departed and beloved owner John, Sr.  Beside them were Michael Topham, new CEO and President of Aurora, sporting a Borealis cap and a matching Aurora blue tie, and his son William, the new GM of the Borealis, also wearing a ball cap and a commemorative Rodriguez jersey.  As this foursome was recognized – new owner, new GM, the new commissioner of the PEBA and the returning executive – the crowd began to applaud.  The Tophams and the Commissioner waved happily to the crowd and seemed genuinely happy to be there.  The younger Rodriguez gave the crowd a disgusted wave and then turned from the window.  Those who watched closely could see him in the shadows speaking to someone, perhaps VP of Business Ulderico Alfero.

“Good evening,” came the voice from the public address announcer, “and welcome to John Rodriguez Field at Northern Lights Park for this evening’s season opening game between the Bakersfield Bears…” eliciting loud boos from the crowd, “…and your Aurora Borealis!” which brought a rapid change from boos to cheers.  “Tonight’s game is special because we begin a new era of Aurora baseball.  As you know, Aurora owner and Planetary Extreme Baseball Alliance Commissioner John Rodriguez, Sr. died suddenly two weeks ago.  We will deeply mourn this loss to our community, our team, and to all those whose lives he touched.  Please turn your attention to the video board for a presentation on the life of John Rodriguez.”  A five-minute tribute to the late owner showed him in his military uniform, scenes of him standing around the batting cage casually chatting with the players, his controversial marriage to Penny Flame, delivering personal gifts to the team employees – even vendors getting a personal visit from a man whose position did not require him to do so.  That was the kind of man John Rodriguez was.  The vignette closed with a close-up of his face, huge smile shining out from within his military uniform, the way he wanted to be remembered; his birth and death dates listed below.  “Now if you would please rise, remove your caps and join us in a moment of silence.”  After that the announcer continued, “Please remain standing and join us in welcoming to Aurora to sing the national anthem… from the Dave Matthews Band, violinist Boyd Tinsley!”  After a moving rendition played solely on the violin, the four men from the owner’s box walked out to the field, shaking hands with Tinsley as he left the field.

First to speak was Michael Topham.  “I am proud to be standing here before you tonight.  I know that for many of you it may still be hitting home that there has been change here in Aurora.  I promise you that I will do my best to keep the winning tradition alive for this community.  Just making the playoffs is not enough.  We will win it all.  We will bring the Rodriguez Cup home where it belongs!”  With that, the crowd stood in a frenzy of applause.  “Now let me introduce to you someone I’m sure you will learn to love, for I do.  Your new General Manager, my son, William Topham.”

The announcement last week at a press conference in San Francisco that Topham’s son was taking on the GM’s role was viewed with tremendous skepticism; more than that, it was considered lunacy.  Many thought that Topham was shooting himself in the foot with this move before he even began his tenure.  Will Topham was said to have orchestrated the trade sending Victor Salgardo and Richard Thomas to New Orleans for a second and fifth round draft pick just prior to being officially introduced as GM.  He also dealt Jorge Coreto to Reno in a swap of second and fifth round picks, basically netting Aurora a second #2 pick and improved positions in the second and fifth rounds for a back-up catcher, a minor league outfielder with no future with Aurora and a middle reliever.  Only Thomas was viewed as a big loss.  People raised an eyebrow.  Perhaps, just perhaps the kid knows what he is doing.  “Hey guys,” began the 17-year-old kid amidst a scattering of confused cheers, “I just want you to know I’m here for you.  Have faith and trust.  We all want to see Aurora win.”  And with a wave, the teenager sat down.

Next to the podium was the new Commissioner of the PEBA, John Rodriguez, Jr.  The crowd stood in unison, cheering, clapping, calling out to he whom many referred to as the “Good Son”.  “Thank you,” he began, waiting a full minute before he could start again.  “Thank you so much.  My Father would be so happy to see you shower us with the love that you have.  He loved Aurora.  He loved the Borealis.  He loved each and every one of you, for it was for you that he fought 70 years ago, and you whom he fought for up to his death.  You will find that your beloved franchise is in good hands.  I will do my best to steer the league in the right direction.  To end the bickering between factions who supported my father and those who tried to drive him out.  This is a great moment for baseball in America.  The Golden Age of the PEBA is about to begin.”  And with that, he turned from the podium as the cheers were the loudest of the ceremony.

As he walked back to his chair, he paused in front of his brother and whispered something to him; Chris sneered at his younger brother.  John sat as Chris approached the podium.  Some cheered.  Some booed.  Some jeered.  Some whistled.  Never a popular man in Aurora despite the great success he oversaw, Chris Rodriguez frowned as he looked out at the crowd.  “Some people viewed my father as a saint.  Perhaps more like a hoax.”  The crowd got very quiet very quickly.  “I built this team into the giant it is.  I will continue to create this juggernaut in my image so that one day you will love me and appreciate what I have done.”  A scattering of boos began to rise from the crowd.  “I’ve got big things in mind for this club and I will see that it gets done.  I am the heart of Aurora and I will not allow any outsiders to destroy what I’ve built.  Trust me on that.  I…”  And with that, the audio coming from the mic went silent and the words from Rodriguez’s mouth were lost.  What happened to the audio, no one seems to know, but Will Topham was seen reeling in the power cord to the microphone before it went out.  Chris Rodriguez looked around with a scowl trying to determine who cut him off.  The crowd yelled out in a hostile manner.  He cursed under his breath as Michael Topham walked up to the mic and curtly said something to Rodriguez who sat immediately.  Topham blew into the mic, which now was miraculously working.  He looked out at the crowd that remained stunned by the confusing message from the older Rodriguez.  “Thank you, Chris.  Thank you all.  I guess there is nothing left to say, but ‘Play Ball!’”

And “Play Ball” they did.  The game itself provided the Borealis fan base with a thriller.  John Roach facing off against the Bears Akihisa Yamamoto, making his PEBA debut after four seasons in the LRS, where he was 55-30 in 107 career starts with a 3.07 ERA.  Signing Yamamoto to a $5 million deal during the offseason has the Bakersfield club with their sights set high.  Yamamoto would not disappoint.  He threw 8 innings of 2-hit, 2-run ball before giving way to Curt Peterson with a 4-2 lead and a sure Opening Day win.  Roach was not at his best, giving up 5 hits and 4 runs over 6 innings despite striking out 10.  Angel Lara and rookie Bryant Burris, who was making his big league debut, held the Bears scoreless in three combined relief innings.  Bakersfield forged a 4-2 lead off Roach on the strength of a solo HR from DH Jude Pew and a three run shot from SS Josh Emery.  In a game that saw all runs score off HRs, Aurora got solo shots from 1B Kuemon Kiyomizu and 3B Jim White.  With most in attendance refusing to leave, the Borealis rallied in the bottom of the ninth.  Augusto Quinones led off with a pinch-hit double.  Then Chris Weaver was hit with a 1-0 pitch, bringing the winning run to the plate.  Kiyomizu struck out on three pitches, bringing up Jimmy White.  It took White one pitch to send the crowd into hysterics and home on this chilly night with a win.  White went deep for his second HR of the game, making a winner of Bryant Burris (1-0) in his PEBA debut and sending Peterson off the mound with his first blown save of the season.