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On November 4th, 2001, the Arizona
Diamondbacks had us on the edge of our seats with a thrilling
9th inning victory. Luis Gonzalez hit a single into left field
at 9:17 p.m., ending the Yankees' title-winning streak. Nearly
forty million people watched Game 7 of the World Series-the largest
TV audience for baseball in over ten years. The D'backs pushed
the Yanks to the brink, forcing them into the deciding Game 7,
a feat not accomplished since 1964. It brought a World Series
championship to a young expansion team of just four years-the
first sports championship for the state of Arizona. Curt Schilling
gleefully proclaimed, "Phoenix is now a baseball town."
Many factors led to that nail-biting triumph. An astrological
analysis of three pivotal players punctuates the performance:
Dutiful Virgos Randy Johnson (born Sept. 10, 1963) and Luis Gonzalez
(born Sept. 3, 1967), and the unwavering Scorpio Curt Schilling
(born Nov. 14, 1966).
The D'backs outstanding ERA confounded Yankees batters, creating
an anemic .184 batting average with a total of 14 runs scored,
spread over the entire 7 game series. Schilling and Johnson,
the twin aces of the D'backs, pulled off a grand overthrow. The
dynamic duo won 52 games, including 9 in the postseason. They
combined for more strikeouts in one season than any previous
pair, finishing first and second in the majors in ERA and Cy
Young voting. They continued their domination into the postseason,
compiling a stingy 1.45 ERA in their 11 starts. Pitching on short
rest, these workhorses helped carry the team to victory. The
double-trouble entity of Schilling and Johnson overthrew the
Yankees regime, and were rightfully voted co-MVPs of the Series.
The Game 7 coup took place due to the persevering Curt Schilling
and the conscientious Randy Johnson. As reliever Mike Morgan
declared, "They are our 1 and 1A." Mark Grace deduced,
"our aura and mystique are Curt and Randy." Yankees
right fielder Paul O'Neill glumly admitted that the Yanks really
got beat by two pitchers. It was fitting that Schilling started
Game 7 and Johnson finished. The battlefield was set for warriors
Schilling vs. Clemens. What a pitching duel it was! The D'backs
won 3-2 with 2 runs in the 9th. Schilling pitched well, sprinkling
six hits over seven innings. Batista got one out, when sure and
steady Johnson came in. Looking fresh after throwing over 100
pitches on a day's rest, the 6'10" "Big Unit"
won the game in relief. Tino Martinez remarked, "75% of
Randy is better than most!" Picking up the win, he ended
the postseason with a robust 5-1, going 3-0 with a 1.04 ERA in
three World Series appearances.
 Randy
Johnson
Randy Johnson embodies the Virgo work ethic. (Fellow Virgo
Iron man Cal Ripken Jr. played 2,632 games in a row.) Dedicated
to health and fitness, paramount Virgo concerns, Randy continues
to be a force to reckon with. He led the majors in strikeouts
in 2001, won a Cy Young Award (4 total) and has a plethora of
complete game shutouts. Even more amazing, Johnson averages 13.4
strikeouts per 9-inning game, a Major League baseball record.
 Luis
Gonzalez
Though Randy Johnson and Luis Gonzalez are modest, they both
take pride in jobs well done. Johnson is quite intense, driven
by a deep sense of mission. He can be incredibly willful, pushing
himself hard. Virgo is an earth sign concerned with attainment.
The joy of competing runs deep in his soul. Johnson has patience
and stamina to realize and manifest his visions. He strikes a
fine balance between hard work and realism, possessing a positive,
hopeful spirit. A firm believer in systems and plans, he takes
one step at a time. His well-balanced approach gained him a reputation
for being accomplished without pretense.
Virgos thrive in service, and Johnson was delighted to work
in relief of Schilling. In similar fashion, "Gonzo"
is content to do whatever it takes for a team win. In Game 7,
with the infield playing in, Gonzo hit a Rivera pitch off the
handle of his choked-up bat. Gonzo acknowledged, "It doesn't
matter how it looked, it goes as a hit and a game-winning run."
Eschewing the spotlight, Virgos leave the fanfare to others.
Dubbed one of the most unassuming guys in the game today, Gonzalez
is scrupulously honest and modest to a fault. He often does not
give himself enough credit. Work is the raison d'être for
Virgos, so it's no surprise that Luis was the only player in
the National League to start in all 162 games!
Mars, the planet of energy and aggression, is a crucial planet
in an athlete's chart. Gonzo's Mars in powerful Scorpio packs
quite a wallop. He pursues goals with passion and will. He lives
heroically-just the guy you want at the plate in a crucial game!
Enterprising and ambitious, Gonzo is willing to take risks. But
no matter how much he accomplishes, he never seems completely
satisfied-a hallmark of Virgo energy. Gonzo won't rest on his
laurels; he relishes competition and the reward of even greater
accomplishment. A natural athlete with an uncanny sense of timing,
he's blessed with quick reflexes. With abundant vitality, he
makes a popular leader, spearheading projects and inspiring others.
Look for Gonzo to be a source of strength, as well as a reliable
fixture in the line-up. After sparking the offense last year
with 57 homers, 142 RBIs, and batting .325, you can bet he'll
be a mainstay in the No. 3 spot.
 Curt Schilling
Scorpio Curt Schilling is quiet and emotionally complex. A
real go-getter, he couldn't wait to be handed the ball for Game
7. He has a deep belief in his ability to survive challenge,
and emerges victorious from any difficulty. Curt pursues goals
with singleness of purpose, being somewhat compulsive, even fanatical
at times. Scorpios do not do things halfway. With Mercury in
Scorpio, his potent mental concentration makes him a formidable
pitcher to face. Probing beneath the surface, Curt studies video
for any possible edge in matchups with hitters. Striving for
precision, mysterious Curt experiments with a multitude of pitches.
He reaches back for extra velocity, personally and professionally.
He conserves this added force and paces himself, never wasting
energy. With Mars in Virgo, Curt's a perfectionist with high
standards. Starting three times in the World Series, he's compiled
an impressive 1-0 record with an outstanding 1.69 ERA. In three
World Series, he's never allowed more than two runs. He can be
a taskmaster, expecting far greater effect from his efforts.
It was no surprise when he stepped up after only three days rest
to pitch Game 7. With a career high of 22 victories in 2001,
expect Schilling to be hell bent on further transformation.
Timing is everything in a synchronistic universe. Baseball
drama unfolded with pitches and hits that were perfectly placed.
As if to emphasize the extraordinary happenings of that unforgettable
night, rain began to fall through the open roof at the BOB. This
time the magic touch anointed a new team-the World Series champion
Arizona Diamondbacks-poised for yet another stellar season.
Andrea Mallis is an avid baseball fan and the creator of Virgo
in Service Astrological Consulting. Residing in Berkeley, California,
she can be contacted at 510-874-4911, andrea@virgoinservice.com
or www.virgoinservice.com. |
