KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The morning dawned bright and sunny over Kauffman Stadium, just to the east of downtown Kansas City. The outfield grass was a perfectly manicured ocean of green, the infield dirt brushed as if by a fine-toothed comb. In the air was a pervasive feeling of spring, of hope and opportunity and new beginnings.

All that was missing was the crack of a bat and the sound of leather hitting a mitt.

This was supposed to be the first opening day for the Kansas City Royals under new owner John Sherman, the fulfillment of a lifelong ambition for the local businessman. He had purchase...