At some point about four years ago when construction of the ballpark was at a dead stop, mired in litigation, we thought whoever is elected mayor would be deserving of re-election if he could just get the project re-started and opened.

We weren’t alone in that thinking, probably one reason why Dick Murphy fared better than many expected in last month’s primary election. The mayor, who’s brought dignity to indecision, was decisive enough – using the financing plan promoted by Peter Q. Davis while he was still chairman of the Centre City Development Corp. – to breathe life and cash back into the project.

Too, the mayor depended upon a legal team led by City Attorney Casey Gwinn. You’d think some of that appreciation might rub off on Leslie Devaney, a veteran of the city attorney’s office and his preferred successor, rather than Mike Aguirre, who has heightened his visibility while using both sides of the ballpark debate.

The five Metropolitan ballpark covers started with "The Three Petes," including then-Governor Wilson, brought to bear 30 days before the Prop. C election in 1998.

The project never would have finished had it not been started, so now would be a good time as well to thank former Mayor Susan Golding and her City Council, notwithstanding the animosity and misunderstanding of the public toward their Chargers ticket guarantee. Oh, you almost forgot the last mayor and Byron Wear busted their chops to get 1998’s Proposition C approved to build the ballpark Downtown.

Padres owner John Moores has expressed relief that the torturous litigation is history, except for his lawsuit against Bruce Henderson; and elation that opening day is upon us. We’re pleased, too. But he surprised us with his criticism of CCDC and City Hall as excessively risk averse. The politicians and bureaucrats who shepherd the public’s resources ought to avoid undue risk. It’s their jobs. But to avoid all risk is tantamount to indecision and lost opportunity. To not have crafted the ballpark deal, to not have welcomed condominium developers, and to not swing deals to build much needed office space in Downtown today and tomorrow, such inactivity would be unreasonably risk averse, depriving the public of new revenue and new opportunities to play, live and work in Downtown San Diego.

The City of San Diego is not acting that irresponsibly when it comes to Downtown redevelopment. Heroic would be a more apt description.

John Moores feels his own risk most. Fair enough. He’s the biggest hero. We thank him, the politicians and the public and private bureaucrats for the simple pleasures they’ve brought to mere mortals who now will be able to watch a few of the 81 home baseball games in a very cool facility built exactly where it belongs. It’s amazing what a bunch of Downtown visionaries, one risk-taking entrepreneur, and a small army of risk-averse politicians and bureaucrats can do by, first, limiting the risk, and then spreading what’s left over 30 years. Way to go, San Diego.

Now stop worrying about the risk of insufficient parking and schedule more day games during the work week.