Part II – The Championship Series and Transition
The 2004 California League Championship featured two dominant teams, each led by former Major Leaguers. On one side was Von Hayes, managing the Modesto A’s, and on the other, Wally Backman, the fiery infielder turned manager for the Lancaster JetHawks. It was a hard-fought series from the start, with both teams displaying the grit that had gotten them this far. What unfolded over the course of five games would forever be etched in the memory of all involved.
The Collision
Game 3 was a turning point. We had battled to extra innings when, in a crucial play at the plate, our catcher, John Suomi, braced himself as Lancaster’s outfielder Reggie Abercrombie barreled toward him. Suomi had taken a strong throw from outfielder Marcus McBeth, a future Major Leaguer as a pitcher, and held on with every ounce of strength as Abercrombie—a player five inches taller and 30 pounds heavier—collided with him. The force of the impact was so violent that Suomi sustained a torn ACL, MCL, and a dislocated kneecap. But, remarkably, he held on to the ball.
The dugout erupted—certain the runner was out. But to our shock, the umpire called him safe. Game over. As the JetHawks celebrated over an injured Suomi, writhing in pain on the ground, the umpires turned and jogged toward the clubhouse. Von Hayes, our manager, wasn’t having it. In a fury, he sprinted after the home plate umpire, turning him around to give him an earful. The manager was sticking up for his players and he made sure he got his money worth. Hayes earned himself a two-game suspension, meaning he would miss the final two games of the series.
The Hooded Comeback
As Suomi was taken off the field by ambulance, it seemed our magical season might end on this heartbreaking note. This was the second major injury in the playoffs as pitcher Brad Ziegler suffered a fractured skull against the San Jose Giants. But you don’t win 90 games without the ability to overcome adversity.
Despite his suspension, Von Hayes wasn’t about to sit idle. Entering into "incognito mode," Hayes made a stop at a local Walmart, picked up a hoodie and walkie-talkies, and—now disguised—positioned himself in the stands for Games 4 and 5. He communicated covertly with the dugout through pitching coach Scott Emerson, who had taken over managerial duties.
In what can only be described as a Hollywood comeback, the A’s won both games, clinching the championship in thrilling fashion. The champagne celebration that followed was loud, messy, and joyful. It was the perfect cap to our 30th anniversary as the Oakland A’s affiliate, but the victory had a bittersweet taste, as I knew the times were a-changin.
The Modesto A's went out as champions!
A New Chapter Begins
Two days after our championship win, the announcement came—Oakland had signed a Player Development Contract (PDC) with the Stockton Ports, officially ending our 30-year affiliation. The champagne wasn’t even dry.
The very next day, we made our own announcement: Modesto would be partnering with the Colorado Rockies. While it was difficult to see the Oakland affiliation come to a close, the Rockies quickly made a strong first impression. Front office executives Bill Geivett and Mike Gallego—who had ties to Modesto—flew out for a press conference. They spoke highly of our passionate fanbase and praised our host family program, which had long been a point of pride for the organization. Their arrival gave me confidence that this partnership would be the beginning of something special.
Press conference introducing the Colorado Rockies to Modesto
I also announced that we would no longer be calling ourselves the Modesto A’s. It seemed like the natural next step to me, but not everyone agreed. I received plenty of flak, which, as it turned out, was just the beginning of the challenges ahead.
The Next Big Questions
There were two pressing concerns on everyone’s mind:
1) What would we name the team?
2) Would our fans still care about Modesto baseball now that the local Oakland A’s connection was gone?
I wasn’t too worried about the second question. I knew our fans didn’t have to suddenly switch their allegiance to the Colorado Rockies. What mattered was that they kept coming out to John Thurman Field. I believed in the strength of our community connection—Modesto baseball had always been a local asset that delivered a memorable experience at an affordable price. As long as we maintained that value, I was confident we’d continue to draw a loyal crowd.
But the name? That was a different story. How do you capture the spirit of a city and team with a new identity that resonates with both long-time fans and new ones?
Six Weeks to Rebrand
The very next day, I received a call from Minor League Baseball. We had just six weeks to finalize everything—name, colors, logo, branding—our entire identity. Six months would have been difficult, six weeks seemed impossible. The whirlwind of a championship run had been replaced with the pressure of an impending deadline. So much for an off-season.
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